Page 111 of The Sadist and the Brat

“Because I didn’t want to hear him say it meant nothing,” Sadie admitted, and dropped her hands. “I’ve never thought about being collared, Rebecca. Never. It just wasn’t on my radar, you know?”

“But you’re thinking about it now.”

Sadie nodded, fighting back the sting of tears. “Yeah. The moment he mentioned it, I wanted it,” she went on. “I wanted what it meant, you know?”

Rebecca nodded. “I do know.”

“But he was just socasualabout it,” Sadie went on. “Like it was no big deal, and I was afraid to say anything because…”

“Because if you did, he’d know it was a big deal toyou.”

“Yes.” Sadie brushed at her cheeks, relieved to find them dry. “Silly, right?”

“Human,” Rebecca corrected her. “Can I ask you something?”

Her throat thick, Sadie could only nod.

“Are you in love with him?”

“I think I am,” Sadie admitted and let out a shuddering breath. “Oh God, I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Okay.” Rebecca grabbed a chair from the stack in the corner and nudged Sadie into it. “Sit, put your head between your knees.”

Sadie obeyed, breathing deeply until the wave of nausea passed. “What the hell am I going to do, Becca?”

“You’re not going to like this, but you have to tell him.”

Just thinking about it had nausea threatening again. “I’m not ready for that.”

“At least about the collar,” Rebeca said, easing Sadie upright. “You’re going to feel like shit if you don’t.”

“I feel like shit now.”

“And you’ll keep feeling like shit until you tell him.”

“I hate it when you’re right,” Sadie grumbled, one hand on her still unsteady stomach. “I feel like I ate spoiled meat.”

“Yep, that’s love, all right.”

“You don’t have to sound so fucking cheerful about it,” Sadie said with a scowl.

Rebecca hauled her to her feet, laughing, and wrapped her arms around Sadie in a fierce hug. “You know I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Sadie felt some of the rough edges inside her smooth out. “Rebecca?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t tell anyone about this, okay?”

“Not even Nick?”

“Especiallynot Nick.” Sadie drew back to look her friend in the eye. “Hoes before bros.”

Rebecca laughed, her gray eyes sparkling. “Okay, I won’t tell him. But let me know when I can, will you? He owes me twenty bucks.”

Sadie let out a watery laugh. “You bet on me?”

“Of course.”

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