Page 91 of The Pretender

I’m going to miss the shit out of this girl next year, which only brings on another bout of tears that I was attempting to hold back. “I love you, Asp.”

“I love you too, Vee-Boo.” A heavy arm wraps around me and Aspen, shoving us against each other so hard I can barely breathe.

“I love you too, Drusilla,” I squeak out.

A groan interrupts our declarations of love with a quick hug to my shoulders. “You know I sometimes love you, too,” claims Fenn. “Even if I end up suspended from school after this shitshow.”

Fenn’s words are sobering. I might be throwing myself to the rumor trolls with this stunt, but now, with my friends at my side, they will be at their mercy too.

“Look, I really appreciate you guys coming with me, but this is my battle. There’s no reason for you to go down with me.”

Bennett scoffs and unfolds his arms. “Your battles are our battles. If this is what you want to do, we’ll stand beside you.”

Why does he have to be the most lovable grouch ever?

“Yeah,” Aspen speaks up. “If Sebastian is important to you, then he is important to us.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

Aspen pulls back and cuts Fenn a look. “I’m just saying this—” she waves her hand at my attire, “is important to her, so it’s important to us.”

Fenn doesn’t look convinced, but he’s going to do it anyway; I can already see him putting on his game face.

“Fine. I just want you both to know that if I end up in a holding cell, someone will have to give a heartfelt speech—with tears—to Mom. She will kick my ass if I miss another game from another friendly brawl.”

I cringe. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.

“Shut up, Fenn. If you weren’t getting suspended every other Tuesday, this wouldn’t be an issue. Stop making excuses for your behavior.”

Aspen has never been gentle with her brother, but then again, Fenn is never gentle with any of us.

“We got you, Vee. Let’s do this.” I lay my head against Drew’s chest. His words are reassuring and strong, implying that, together, we can take on the world.

“Okay,” I say, exhaling a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”

* * *

The quad isthe most populated area at Havemeyer. It also happens to be Malcolm’s favorite hangout. Here, he can scam and con his nasty little heart out. If shit is about to go down, it goes down at the quad. It’s the place you can get a diet soda with a side of extra dirty drama.

I feel my steps slow as I reach the center of the green space. Surrounded by big oak trees and shaded picnic tables, I scan the area for The Wicked Bitch of the West.

“Did you call in your marker?” I ask, turning to face Aspen. Apparently, Maverick, Sebastian’s best friend, owed her a favor. She really didn’t need anything from him, but since Maverick is all about that favor life, she enjoyed fucking with him by beating the master at his own game.

“I did,” she grins, seemingly pleased she wiggled a favor out of Maverick. “He said he would be here, and Maverick always pays his debts.”

Good. I don’t know a whole lot about Maverick Lexington and his favors, but I do know Aspen, and if she says he will have Sebastian here, then he’ll be here.

“Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath and scanning the crowd. As usual, Malcolm is sitting on his throne, aka, a wooden picnic table with his troop of jesters entertaining him with, what is very likely, promises of fame since Sebastian and I haven’t posted another video. The traitor and subpar cameraman, Brick, is also standing next to him with his hands in his pockets and a scowl that will soon be a frown when I get through with him.

Bro thinks he has this in the bag. Bro don’t know shit.

Sebastian and I have a much bigger secret than just being a fake couple: before we were a fake couple, we were true friends under fake pretenses.

And I’m about to expose our secret scandal.

I’m about to lose my reputation at Havemeyer in the process, but, hopefully, our fans will take this spin on the real story and see it for what it truly is.

Love.

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