Page 38 of Twisted Secrets

Just saying the words makes me sick. My stomach churns, bile rising up my throat.

Crew’s hands fly in the air and his face reddens. “I didn’t know what the fuck I was saying, Scar. I was pulling shit out of my ass to make you feel better because Neodoeshate you so much.”

“He doesn't, though. He told me so.”

“Scar,” he screeches, pointing a finger at the door, “ten minutes ago, the guy called you a whore.”

Of course he did. More confirmation that Neo does hate me. Which is exactly why I need to do this. His hate will drive him to destruction. If given the chance, he will hurt me and feel nothing .

I need to get out of this room. I can’t look at Crew anymore. I’ll crumble if I have to see the pain in his eyes a second longer.

“I…I have to go.” I turn around, walking quickly to the door. Crew stops me, his hand wrapped around my wrist.

“Don’t go. Don’t do this. He’s blackmailing you, isn’t he? I know it. Just tell me. I can help you.”

He might be able to help me with Neo, but what about Maddie? What about when she sees him and expects to pick up where they left off? If she ever knew the way Crew and I feel about each other, it would kill her.

“You can’t help me, Crew, because I don’t need to be saved.”

I jerk my arm away and tear open the door, leaving before he can say anything else.

My feet don’t stop moving until I’m slamming my bedroom door shut and clicking the lock.

One down. One to go.

With my back to the door, I slide down, gripping the sides of my head and tugging at my hair so aggressively that strands break loose. Opening my mouth, I scream at the top of my lungs. “Whyyyyyyy?”

Seconds turn to minutes. Minutes to hours as I lie on the floor, crying until my tears have run dry. My throat is on fire, my ribs hurt from the continuous sobs, and the pain of knowing no one has come to check on me makes matters worse.

Crew probably hates me. He must not have told Jagger yet, because I’m sure he’d be in here by now.

A rush of anxiety hits me when there’s a knock on the door.

I sit up before getting to my feet. I wipe my hands across my eyes and tuck my tear-soaked hair behind my ears, then pull open the door, hoping it’s Crew.

“Oh, Scar,” Riley sulks, throwing her arms around me. “Tell me everything.”

“I can’t talk about it right now. Just stay with me. Please.”

Riley nods, before taking my hand in hers and leading me to the bed. “Of course. I’m not going anywhere.”

We lie there for almost an hour in complete silence. A couple times Riley has tried to speak, but each time, I give her a look that begs for a few more minutes.

Finally, I break the silence because if I don’t get this out, I’m going to combust. “Neo’s sister is here.”

Riley shoots up in bed, hovering over me. “Maddie?”

I nod. “Yeah. Neo brought her here. She’s awake.” I sweep my hand in the air, continuing, “It’s a long story, but she’s good. She’s doing really well.” Just saying those words makes this all worth it.Maddie is okay.

“Is that why Crew bombarded me at the door and told me you dumped him before kicking up snow on his sled and taking off?”

He did that? Crew left. But where did he go?

I shake away the thoughts. “Yeah. Neo forced me to dump him and Jagger. He knows something, Ry. I have no idea what it is, but he swears it will destroy me and my family.”

“Whoa. Hold up. So Neo forced you to dump them so Crew and his sister could get back together? What’s that have to do with Jagger?”

My shoulders shrug against the plush pillow. “No clue. I guess for plausibility because I now have to pretend I’m in a relationship with him to appease his sister. Otherwise, she’ll wonder why I’m living here. I guess it’s too far-fetched that I’d just be friends with these guys.” The vein in my neck throbs with ill intent. I’ve already plotted Neo’s murder in my head multiple times, and I’ve concluded that a slow, tortuous death is fitting.

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