Page 67 of Her Wicked Knights
I'm falling in love with my best friend. Or maybe I've already fallen.
The wheel is so slow I barely even realize we've stopped until Tripp grins at me. "This is why I chose yellow," he explains. "It stops at the top, every time."
"And you made fun of me for suggesting we check out the view." I snort.
"I didn't choose this one for the view." He confesses.
He doesn't give me a chance to even contemplate what that means because he moves toward me, and I freeze, everything inside of me going into lockdown mode.
It's just his fingers beneath my chin, but I see the look in his eyes... the longing, the desire, the hint of fear.
It takes everything in me not to close the space between our mouths, not to grip the back of his head and crush his lips against mine, to steal all the air out of his lungs and fucking devour him. I've wanted to for so long that the restraint is dwindling, fraying down to the last threads. If it snaps, I could ruin everything we've established over years of friendship. I can't make the first move.
"Why did you choose this one?"
"So that no one would see."
He doesn't give me a chance to contemplate those words because he does it. He moves in, closing the space between us so that when I try to speak, my lips brush against his.
"See what?"
His answer is to press his lips upon mine, featherlight and soft. And that restraint I still cling to threatens to strangle me as I kiss him back, slowly, letting my lips move against his.
It's quick... too quick.
The ride begins to move, and that spurs Tripp to remember where we are, that there are people around...
As he moves away, clearing his throat, I wonder if I should feel bad that he's ashamed of me. I wonder if I should be upset that he wants to kiss me when no one is around to see.
But the truth is, I'm not. Not even a little.
Because I'll be whatever Tripp needs me to be... including his dirty little secret.
34
Colton
There'sasortofcalm before the storm as I wait for the others in the locker room.
I'm going to kill my girlfriend.
I'm going to be a statistic.
Thankfully, my alibi is solid. I was nervous, even if I'd never let on as much. If I was going to spend my life in prison, it wouldn't be for murdering Audrey Graves. She isn't worth the energy it would take to kill her, and I wouldn't do this if it weren't a collaborative effort, a way to keep Marley safe and free her from whatever hold Audrey's got on her.
Maybe it's sad that I'm more apathetic toward her than anything else. It would be easier, maybe, if I hated her. But I don't hate her, because as fucking annoying as she is, she's not worth the time it takes to say her name.
Since she came to Serenity Hollow, she's been nothing but a leech. She clung to Marley first, then Jake, then me. I can't imagine what it will be like to be free of her, once and for all. She's been particularly obnoxious since she kicked Jake to the curb, which I can only assume is because she's not gettinglaid anymore. I don't think our quick fucks where I take her doggy style do anything for her. They only do something for me because I can pretend she's Marley, and as long as she keeps her fucking mouth shut, I can come apart to the thought of one day when itisMarley, for real.
We may have magic working to help us get away with murder tonight, but we still have to take precautions to make sure that we don't leave unnecessary evidence. It's why I strip down to don the costume, setting my clothing in my gym bag and tucking it out of the way. A pair of black leather gloves will help obscure fingerprints; we all have the same pair.
When Tripp and Rev walk in, I'm sitting on the bench, staring at the mask I've chosen for tonight. It's not lit up yet, but once I turn it on, it will glow neon colors. It's disorienting more than terrifying, which is fine by me. I need Marley disoriented.
One day, she will figure it out that we killed her best friend while she was feet away, completely oblivious and completely helpless to stop it. Mark will distract her just as long as it takes to get rid of Audrey, and while I'm jealous it can't be me who has her to myself before she finds her best friend dead, I am also grateful. I've never claimed to be a good actor; I'm not sure I can muster up the grief that Marley will expect to see from me. Or the shock, for that matter.
"All good?" Rev asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
"Peachy." I roll my eyes.
