Page 22 of Faking Summer
A small smirk toyed at the corner of my lips. "Would you expect anything less?"
"There's never a day I don't expect you to be the very best," Chandler replied, her sarcasm so sweet it was almost sincere.
"As long as you know." I chuckled, glad we could still joke around. I still cared about her, but I wasn’t sure how to navigate being around her. With everything going on in my life, especially the situation with Boston, I couldn't quite figure out where she fit into it all. I had a strong suspicion that she knew she belonged with him. And where exactly did that leave me?
As the evening went on, we found ourselves on the back patio. A large group had congregated there—my teammates, Caroline, and other members from the committee all seated at the back tables. They were in the middle of playing truth or dare.
I hung back, observing as I looked at the lake. Caroline was at the heart of it all, taking charge of the game. She had always been fierce, but tonight there was a colder edge to her. Something seemed off about her. I noticed the empty shot glasses near her elbow, which probably had something to do with it.
"Alright, alright, settle down!" Sam called out to the group, giggling. "Who's next? Bailey!"
“You know I always take the dare, baby girl,” he said, taking a sip of his drink.
“Dare you to try to get the hot bartender's phone number,” she said with a devilish grin.
Bailey stood up from his seat, a smile spread across his face. We all watched as he disappeared into the bar. Moments later, he emerged, phone held high.
"Got them digits, baby!" Bailey shouted, winking at the round of applause that greeted him.
It wasn't long before Caroline's gaze landed on the one person I’d hoped she wouldn’t go after.
"Chandler, truth or dare?" she asked with an impish smile.
"Truth," Chandler responded.
"Who do you like more, Reese or Boston?" Her question hung in the air, halting any chatter or laughter.
Every eye turned to Chandler. Boston and I looked at each other, and he paused mid-sip. I’d had enough of this stupid game. The Chandler situation wasn’t a game to me, and I knew it wasn’t to Boston either.
"Caroline, stop," I demanded.
"What? What's the problem?" Caroline never took her eyes off Chandler. "Didn't you hook up with Reese last summer? How far did you get? First base? Second? Did you go all the way?"
"Caroline!" Boston growled, heavy with anger. "What the fuck?"
“What’s the matter, Boston? Was she doing the same thing with you?” Caroline retorted.
Chandler's hazel eyes flickered with hurt before she turned in retreat. Boston followed after her, not looking back.
Willow and Parker, their faces etched with disapproval, turned to let Caroline know how wrong she was. Caroline stood defiantly, almost amused as they spoke, and I couldn’t stand back anymore. When I reached her, I didn't hesitate. My hand found the bend of her elbow, grip firm but not rough as I commanded, "Comewith me."
She didn’t resist, which surprised me more than her earlier outburst. Caroline allowed herself to be steered away from the chaos she had stirred. We came to a stop at the side of the building.
"What the fuck was that?" I asked, my voice low but edged with enough intensity to let her know I was serious.
Caroline leaned back against the brick wall, her fingers found their way into her hair, sifting through the strands. Without a word, she slid down the wall until she was sitting on the ground, knees drawn up. "I don't know," she whispered and damnit, why did seeing her like this make me want to knock out whoever put that look in her eyes? I was so sure she didn’t have a soft side… but maybe I was wrong.
I crouched down before her, so we were face-to-face at her level "No, tell me," I insisted. "What was that?"
Her blue eyes, shifting shades in the darkness, captured mine. I saw something flicker—a small glance of vulnerability. "Everyone was wondering it but was too scared to ask," she said, with a shrug so casual it could have been rehearsed. "Everyone thinks I'm evil anyway, so why not be the one to find out the truth for you and Boston."
How could she think that about herself? How many people had put that in her head? Had I? There was an ache of sadness that settled heavy in my chest from the thought alone.
"Why though?" I asked, searching her face. "Do you get off on making her cry? On knowing that you're bigger and better or something? Because you play the evil queen part well and all, but I don’t think that’s really you."
"I am evil," Caroline admitted. "I think it’s in my blood, and I was destined to be this way. And no..." She hesitated, her gaze flickering away and then back to mine. "I don't think I'm better than her… I know I'm not."
In that moment, I saw past the icy exterior, past her actions, to something deeper—something she kept locked behind those steelyblue eyes. Moved by an impulse that was part instinct, part curiosity, I shifted to the ground, caging her in with my legs, one on either side of her.
