Page 66 of Savage Rose

“Of course, honey. How’s the head after the knock you took last week?”

“Oh.” I touch the back of my head. “I’m fine. It just gave me a doozy of a headache.”

“Okay, honey. Well, I’m going to run down to the bookkeeper for a minute. You just rest.”

The minute she walks away, my phone is out.

Me:Aria cornered me in the bathroom just now.

Daphne:What? Why?

Max:There’s only one answer to that—Xander.

Daphne:She’s next-level crazy when it comes to him.

Me:You can say that again.

Me:She claims he talks to her about me.

Daphne:Ugh. I don’t know what to tell you.

Max:What’s she saying?

Me:That he’s going to leave me as soon as …

Max:?

Me:As soon as I let him fuck me.

Daphne:Whoa.

Max:Baby girl, where are you?

Me:Nurse’s office. I felt sick after I saw her climbing all over him in class. I couldn’t go to study hall.

I let out a big sigh and switch over to the text messages I’d been exchanging with Xander. I’m not that girl. I may have decided not to go to class, but I’m not hiding fromhim. I’m not going to sit back and just let her manipulate me.

Me:Hey. Was whatever Aria was whispering in your ear a few minutes ago anything about me?

A few seconds go by before the little dots start jumping. I stare at them for what seems like an eternity before a message comes through.

Xander:No. She was asking what the plan is for this weekend.

Me:Meaning?

Xander:Where the party will be, if I’m planning on bringing you.

I’m not waiting to address what she’s done. That bitch has it in for me, and I think he has some pretty heavy blinders on when it comes to anything concerning her.

Me:She cornered me in the bathroom with her girls before class.

Me:Said some not-so-nice stuff. You should ask her about it.

Xander:Red … I’ll take care of it.

I can practically hear his heavy sigh, stuck between the Rose everyone says he belongs with and the Thorn he’sactuallywith. Supposedly. Doubt creeps in, dark and insidious. I blow out a harsh breath, trying not to let Aria’s antics bother me.

Me:I’d appreciate it.

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