Page 47 of I Don't Need Your Love
“Raven,” I whine. “Everyone is obsessed with the show because it’s addicting. Come on, it sucks to watch a series all by myself.”
“Let’s spend the whole night reading!” Sophie says. “I just started the most amazing book on the planet. It’s a star-crossed lovers romantasy with all kinds of supernatural creatures. There’s romance and adventure and suspense, even a bit of horror. And some people have even said it’s like a fairytale. There’s something for everyone.”
“I’m fine with whatever we do,” Addie says. “As long as we don’t play Truth or Dare.” She makes a face and shivers.
“Ugh, don’t tell me sleepovers are ruined for you because of that evil witch and her psycho minions,” I say as I hop off Raven’s bed and slide onto Sophie’s, where she and Addie sit side-by-side. After wrapping my arm around Addie and squishing her to my body, I say, “Tonight, the four of us will make amazing memories. We’ll banish those evil memories to oblivion, where they can never see the light of day again.”
Addie smiles. “Thanks. I guess I’m still a little traumatized about the whole thing. It’s not so much the fact that I wasabandoned to freeze to death—I think it’s more of the fact that people could be so cruel.”
Addie has one of the biggest hearts in the world. She always tries to look at the good in people, even if they don’t deserve it. That can make her a target for evil people. I love that quality about her, and I will do whatever I can to look out for her and the rest of my friends.
“Did Clarissa say anything to you since she got back?” Sophie asks, turning a page of her book that’s sitting on her lap.
“We didn’t have a chance to interact much because it’s the weekend, but we have some classes together.”
“She and her parents are probably shaking in their boots,” I say with a chuckle. “If Clarissa knew back then that you were the granddaughter of Nathaniel Bradshaw, she would have thought twice about messing with you.”
“She would totally have tried to be your friend,” Raven says. “Girls like her don’t miss any opportunity to advance in life, not caring if they take advantage of other people or step on others to get to the top.”
“Weird how things turned out,” Addie muses. “If my grandfather didn’t have any enemies and my parents died a natural death, I would have been sent to this school as Addie Hayes Bradshaw. Who knows if I would have befriended you guys? I can’t imagine not having you as friends. And there’s no way I would have ended up with Caleb.”
“I guess sucky situations can sometimes lead to happiness,” Sophie says as she turns another page. “You really never know.”
“Speaking of sucky situations,” Addie says as she throws me a teasing grin.
“What?” I ask.
“You know who I’m talking about.”
“Do not. So do you guys want to watch a movie or what?” I grab the TV remote and start browsing through the selections.
“You should have seen her face when Ryder joined us at the diner last night,” Addie tells the others with a laugh. “She stared at him like he was some weird alien that crashed down on Earth.”
“Heisa weird alien that crashed down on Earth,” I mutter.
“Yeah, right.” Addie pokes my arm with her elbow. “Admit you tolerate him much more than you did before.”
“Only because he’s bringing value to the dance team.”
“Uh huh.”
“He’s still my enemy.”
“Uh huh.”
“Will you stop with the uh huhs?”
“Nope.”
“Ooh, this is the perfect enemies-to-lovers romance trope!” Sophie gushes. Her eyes get wide. “And it’s a brother’s best friend romance trope, too!”
“What the heck?” I gasp. “It’s nothing like—”
“You guys have the perfect making for it! Don’t deny it, Carly. He’s the super sexy best friend of your brother whom you grew up with—”
I reach over to grab her arm and shake her. “Take that back!”
“No way.”
