Page 47 of A Little Twist

“Shit,” I hiss under my breath, my thumbs moving quickly over my phone face.

I guess we have to confess.

The thought makes me sick to my stomach.

Drake is going to be such an asshole when I come clean. He’ll make some major case about it, and I’ll have to leave town until he goes away. Alex will be embarrassed, and I’ll look like a fool. Why did I pull Alex into this?

I know why. I told him why. Alex Stone makes me feel like I’m not a fuck up. He doesn’t judge me, and being with him makes me feel like I have value.

Clearly I need therapy. I’m aware my sense of worth should come from within, but it doesn’t. My phone buzzes, and I jump when I read his text.

Alex

I’m willing to keep going if you are.

My eyes widen as I stare at his words. My fingers tremble as I text,

You are?

Alex

Yes.

What does that mean?

I’m chewing my thumb as the gray dots float.

Alex

It means I’ll be damned if I let that dickhead shame you.

I can’t text anymore. I hit the call button on my phone.

He answers before the first ring. “You have a problem with that?” It’s his all-business, take-no-excuses tone, and my stomach tightens.

“You’d do that for me?” My voice is soft, and stupidly, I want to cry.

“Yes.”

“But what about our friends? Piper’s not going to believe this ring is just a gift.”

He’s quiet a moment, and I imagine that problem-solving expression on his face. “Let them think what they will, and when he leaves, we can come up with some excuse to break it off. You think I work too much, or you don’t like the way I chew my food.”

I don’t say I could never imagine breaking up with him if he were truly my fiancé. Instead, I go with, “What about Pinky?”

“She doesn’t have to know.”

“I think she’ll find out if everyone’s talking about it.”

“Tell Piper we’re keeping it a secret from her until we set a date. She’ll respect our wishes.”

Inhaling slowly, I try to dismiss the feeling of dread at this arrangement. He asked me if I trusted himtwice, and I said yes both times. Still, this is playing with fire.

“Are you with me, Cass?” I like the way he says my name.

I like the idea of him wanting to protect me. I remember his words last night,I like you coming to me for protection… I like the idea of being with him, like we’re on a team, like we’re a real family. Something I’ve never had.

“I’m with you.” I wish my voice didn’t tremble when I said it.

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