Page 95 of F*ckboys

"Not at all," she says, a genuine smile on her flushed face. No matter what rumors swirl around us, we sure can dance.

Fallon's smile falters as she spots Carissa sauntering towards us, a calculating glint in her eyes.

"Oh god," she frowns. "I forgot she was going to be here. It feels like she's everywhere we turn."

"Mind if I cut in?" Carissa asks sweetly, already wedging herself between Fallon and I.

I tense, old memories threatening to resurface. But Fallon beats me to a response.

"Actually, we do mind, Carissa," she says sharply. "Why don't you slither back to whatever hole you crawled out of?"

Carissa recoils as if struck, clearly not expecting such a biting retort from Fallon. The surrounding guests pretend not to have heard, but I catch more than a few poorly concealed smirks.

She looks at me for some type of support and I just shrug, not a shred of empathy on my face or in my mind.

With as much dignity as she can summon, Carissa turns on her heel and stalks away. Her heel wobbles, and she stumbles, almost losing her balance and taking a spill on the dance floor. I feel a swell of pride for Fallon, along with a pang of nostalgia.

"Just like old times," I say with a rueful chuckle. "Carissa never could take a hint."

Fallon nods, the fire in her eyes fading to lingering uncertainty as we sway gently to the music. I know she's thinking of the disastrous misunderstandings from our school days, when Carissa's scheming very nearly tore us apart for good. Her presence has once again stirred up old wounds and painful memories Fallon and I both would rather leave buried. But the time has come to set the record straight. She deserves to know the truth.

"Fallon," I begin gently, "about what happened back in high school..."

She tenses in my arms, eyes flashing in warning. "Don't," she says sharply. "I don't want to rehash ancient history. Especially not tonight, here, in front of all these people. We've already drawn enough attention just by being here."

"Please—."

"No, Aksel," she hisses. "The last thing we need is for me to have a breakdown in the middle of the dance floor." She holds up her thumb and forefinger, roughly an inch apart. "And I'm this close to falling apart as it is, so please…"

"Please, just hear me out," I press on. "Carissa didn't tell you the whole story that night. She deliberately misled you, made you think..."

I trail off as Fallon pulls back, shaking her head. "It doesn't matter now," she says, but there's a waver in her voice belying her words.

"It does matter," I insist, tipping her chin up to meet my earnest gaze. "You thought I betrayed you, but I never would have. Carissa lied to drive us apart."

Fallon searches my face, hesitation and longing warring in her eyes. In this moment, she looks as vulnerable as the heartbroken girl I once knew, still nursing those old wounds.

"You have to trust me," I implore her. "One day, you'll understand the full truth. But know this—you're the only one for me. You always have been."

She blinks back tears, then nods slowly. The band strikes up a new song, and I pull her close once more as we continue to sway.

The past can't touch us here.

Chapter 54

Aksel

(Unknown number): Is this Aksel?

Me: Yes. Who's this?

(Unknown number): Oh hi Aksel. This is Fenton Dempsey, and I'm here with Bronson.

My gut clenches as I read their names, which sound like the old money and privilege associated with the men that bear them. Of all of Fallon's brothers, it's Fenton and Bronson that I know the least.

Why now? After all these months, what do they want?

Me: Oh, hey guys. What's up?

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