Page 74 of Red Zone

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“Damn. Save me a slice of that caramel apple one.”

“Only if you save me from choking on the annual Harding family awkward silence.”

She laughs and nudges my leg with her foot. “We’ll FaceTime. You can judge Jaxon’s childhood bedroom decor and watch me lose at Monopoly.”

I nod, letting out a sound that passes as agreement. But the guilt wedges deeper between my ribs.

Because the truth is, I’m not going anywhere. My dad’s heading to Ohio with Nicole and Emmy, and I wasn’t invited.

And yeah, I could tell her that. Could let her cancel her trip and stay behind to keep me company.

But she’s happy. Finally. She’s about to spend a holiday with someone who adores her, in a home where she’s wanted.

So, I lie.

And I let her keep the damn ice cream.

The apartment’s quiet, except for the occasional thud of Madison dragging her suitcase out of her

closet and grumbling about underwear. I’ve been pretending to focus on my laptop for the last

twenty minutes, but I haven’t typed a single word.

My phone buzzes on the couch cushion beside me.

Carter Hayes: you die or are you just ghosting me now that I’ve seen you cry?

I roll my eyes and smile at the same time, already typing back.

Bold of you to assume I cried. Maybe I was faking it to get you to shut up.

Carter Hayes: you’re hotter when you lie.

And you’re cockier when I let you help me breathe.

Carter Hayes: I’d offer mouth-to-mouth next time

Carter Hayes: for safety reasons

Carter Hayes: strictly medical

You’re unbelievable.

Carter Hayes: and yet you keep replying. Weird.

It’s either this or listen to Madison try to pick a “wholesome sleepover outfit” to wear in front of Jaxon’s mom.

Carter Hayes: lmao

Carter Hayes: I vote nothing. bold choice. power move.

That’s literally what I told her!

Carter Hayes: I knew there was a reason I liked you

Carter Hayes: besides the hair

Carter Hayes: and the mouth

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