Page 23 of Brutal Days

“I don’t know.” Phoenix downed half his water. “That’s just what I heard. Lots of people like her, but Gia’s her best friend. You already know that part, though.”

“Yeah.” And I would milk it for everything I could. “Sky’s pretty protective of her.”

“She’s loyal.” Phoenix’s brows rose in challenge. “Are we any different?”

I snorted. “Whatever. I was just curious about the girl who thinks she can bash me on the academy’s blog.”

Shane grinned. “Tracey wondered why you haven’t retaliated. It’s not like us to leave something like that unanswered. Should I tell her it’s because you want to get into Sky’s pants?”

I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the island and chucked it at his head. Shane’s arm shot up, and he snatched it from the air before impact.

“Why does Tracey care so much?” I asked. “The only person she should be concerned with is you.”

Shane rolled his eyes, not taking the bait. Phoenix went eerily still, and I knew he hoped my comment would get a rise out of his brother. I could push Shane, but I didn’t want him storming out. Instead, I shifted my focus back to Phoenix. He had to know more. That Noel chick talked a mile a minute. I doubted that was all she’d said about Sky.

“Did Noel say anything else, like what Sky does outside of school or what she likes? Are they friends?”

“Friendly.” Phoenix leaned back. “I don’t think they’re close friends. And I don’t know. Probably books. Maybe movies? She takes as many writing classes as she can. People like that usually love to read too. Find common ground there. Or if you really want to date her, and not whatever this is with Gia and her, then take her to the movies.”

“I’m not looking for common ground. Or to date her.” I scowled.

“Then what do you want?” Phoenix asked when I turned back to them. “Because you’re asking a lot of questions about some chick that you claim you’re not interested in.”

“She gets under my skin with how much she hates football.”

“That’s it? Or is it because she’s not the type to fall at your feet when you snap your fingers?” Shane prodded.

His lips twitched, and I thought about launching more fruit at his head. One was bound to find its mark.

“It doesn’t matter.” Shane took a bite of the apple I’d chucked at him earlier.

“Why is that?” I asked, though I distractedly wondered what she read.Romance books?I could make that work. We could do some role-playing.

Phoenix smirked. “She hates sports, so she won’t want anything to do with you.”

“She may not like sports, but she likes me just fine.” I couldn’t leave it alone.

Besides, my cousins would take my secrets to the grave, so it wouldn’t be that big a deal if I filled them in. Sky wouldn’t find out, and her no-one-can-know pact wouldn’t be affected.

“What’s going on?” Phoenix narrowed his eyes.

I swore he was so much like Cole that it made my heart hurt. “We need to take a trip to Thane soon. Maybe go to a football game.”

“We do. Now spill.” That from Shane.

I filled them in on the sweet setup I had with Sky and how I didn’t give a shit about her or Gia—but told both my cousins that they had better keep their mouths shut about it, and that included not saying a word to Tracey, Shane’s girlfriend.

I couldn’t see it ending badly for anyone. Well, maybe Gia. But so far, senior year was kicking ass.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SKYLAR

#Fine

Finally, movie night with Mom. I settled on our worn couch, looking forward to spending time with her. We didn’t get to do that often because of how much she worked. I studied her as she set up the movie. It was weird how much we looked alike, which I was grateful for.

She was too thin. I was already on the lean side, but Mom was on the I-eat-one-meal-a-day diet—and I suspected it was more from nerves of late. She had a ton of friends, who were more acquaintances, except for Gia’s parents, who were close to her. Despite how gorgeous she was, she didn’t date. Not for lack of invitations. She just never said yes.

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