Page 117 of Devil's Bargain

NINETEEN

April.

“Do you want a beer?” Ben asks as I take a seat on the worn couch.

“Sure.”

“Of course, she’s having a fucking beer!” Matt says, lighting up a joint and plopping down in the armchair. He takes a drag and winks at me.

Steph sits down next to me and ties back her wild curls. “Our group isn’t the same when you’re not here.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

Ben hands me a beer and takes a seat in the other armchair. “Skipping detention, huh?”

I accept the joint from Matt and shrug one shoulder as I take a deep drag. “You know me.”

He chuckles, rubbing a hand over his mouth. “Yeah, I do.” To Nina, he says, “I’m surprised you didn’t get detention too.”

I hold the joint out to Nina.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ben. I’m an angel.”

Dallas scoffs and sits down on the armrest of Ben’s chair. “You fool no one!”

“Your phone is ringing again,” Ben says, nudging his head toward my phone on the coffee table. The screen is lit up.

I swallow down the instant unease I feel. “It’s not important.”

“Are you sure it’s not your mom?” Josh asks, reaching for the joint. The tip glows orange as he takes a drag.

I ignore the intense look Ben gives me. “If it is, I’m not answering.”

Ben leans forward and swipes the phone before I have a chance to get it. “Who’s The Devil?”

I tense and sip my beer to give myself a little more time. I don’t like lying to my friends. “It’s no one.”

They all look at me.

“No one?” Nina echoes, her eyes flicking between mine as if she’s searching for the truth.

“Give it back, Ben.” I hold my hand out for the phone.

“Is this the guy?”

“It’s none of your business!”

“What guy?” Matt asks, sitting up straighter.

“Who?” Dallas bounces her gaze between us.

Ben arches his eyebrow as he puts the phone to his ear.

My blood runs cold. “Please don’t do this!”

“Do what, April?”

I plead with my eyes. “Don’t, Ben!”

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