Page 73 of Twisted Secrets

“It wasn’t him. It was both of us. When I woke up, Crew was the first person that popped in my head, but it wasn’t our relationship I desperately needed, it was his friendship. Can I be honest?”

“No. But if you must.”

“You’re such a dipshit. But seriously, I liked Crew. I liked him a lot. But I think part of me only stayed with him for so long because I knew that’s whatyouwanted.”

Well, I’ll be damned. Crew told me the same thing. If I can manipulate two people I care about into staying in a lengthy relationship, then I sure as hell can keep Scar out of one with my two best friends.

“Mads, I wanted you two together because I thought that’s what you wanted.” It’s a partial truth. I also knew how much Crew liked Scar, and vice versa, so it was a good attempt at keeping them apart.

“I did. Don’t get me wrong. I was crazy about Crew. But now…I’m ready to move on while keeping him as my friend, before we try too hard and I lose him forever.”

I really hate when other people’s plans make more sense than the ones I had for them. “You sure you don’t wanna give it one more try?”

If Maddie and Crew are done for good, that means he has nothing holding him back from being with Scar. They’ve got something straight out of a romance novel. Years of desperation to be together but mountains in their way. If Maddie calls it quits, I won’t be able to hold them back anymore.

“We gave it our best shot and it’s time for Crew and me to both find our own happiness.”

Looking at my sister now—in that bed, unable to walk, but able to feel emotion still and make decisions for herself—it’s eye-opening. There’s a twinge in my chest. An awkward feeling, but it’s sort of nice.

“Do what makes you happy, Mads. You can’t go wrong there.”

Her arms spread wide, and she nods me in. I shake my head no. She knows I don’t do hugs.

“Oh, come on. Give your twin sister a hug.”

“Do I gotta?”

“No. But I really want you to.”

With a heavy sigh, I get up and wrap my arms around her. Maddie has always had a way of bringing out weird emotions inside me, and right now, she’s bringing them up to the surface.

“Go talk to Scar. Whatever you said to hurt her feelings. Fix it. And if you can’t, just be there for her. Sometimes all anyone needs is someone to tell them it’s gonna be okay.”

I pull out of the hug and press my hands onto the mattress, still leaning down. “And if that’s a lie?”

“Then you stay by her side until it’s the truth.”

My lips roll together, and I nod, understanding what she’s saying. Be there for her. That’s all.

Straightening my back, I stand up and head for the door, but I stop with my hand against the wall. I glance over my shoulder at Maddie. “Hey. Everything’s gonna be okay. And that’s the truth.”

Maddie blows me a kiss and says, “Right back at ya.”

* * *

I senseher presence before she even walks in the door. My head lifts from my phone that’s positioned between my legs under the table. Our eyes catch, and she lifts a brow. As she makes her way toward me, we never break our gaze.

She sets her books down on the table in her normal spot. “What are you doing in Jagger’s seat?”

“You said you wanted us to switch. So I switched.” Crew and Jagger aren’t here yet. Apparently, they went to drill Jude a little before class, which gives me the perfect opportunity to clear the air with Scar. Or at least try to do so.

She squints at me, questioning my motives. “What happened to keep your enemies close?”

“Oh, I intend to, but you’re not one of them anymore.” I look down, feeling my cheeks catch fire with my cringeworthy admission. I fucking hate feelings.

“You don’t have to act weird with me after what we did, Neo. It was just sex.”

And that announcement has now grabbed the attention of all nine students, who are already in the class.

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