“I’m not.”
“Leo, if you could set fires with your eyes, Caelen would’ve been cindershoursago.”
“Why does she keep talking to him, though?” I grumbled.
“Maybe becausenone of you have been,” Maddie said flatly.
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh,please.” She leaned into my back, voice sharp but low. “Don’t you think it’s a little funny that ever since Elle had her meltdown on the cliffs, none of you have been available anymore?”
“Hey! That’s not fair—”
“Am I lying?” she cut in.
I didn’t answer.
“You keep giving her space to grieve,” Maddie continued. “And that’s all good and well.But too much space—and don’t be surprised who slithers into the void.”
I growled, my skin twitching. “I’m not avoiding her.”
“Then why haven’t you been there?” Maddie asked. “I have spent more time in her room lately than any of you. And it’s confusing for her, you know?”
“Why, because you’re so hot?” I snarked.
She punched me in the back. “No. Because she cares about you and now thinks she’s been a burden to you.”
“She knows how I feel.” I insisted.
“Does she? How?” Maddie accused.
“I mean, I kissed her – “
“Back in Varrowmere,” she cut in. “Before everything went to shit. And have you kissed hersince?”
I didn’t answer.
She stared at me, hard.
“That girl thinks she broke something in you. She thinks she’s the reason you’ve been distant.”
“She thinks I don’t want her?” I asked, stunned. “Why would she think that? Did she say that?”
“Not in so many words,” Maddie said. “But she watches you, Leo. She’s always watching—waiting for cues. And when you don’t act, she assumes you don’t feel the same anymore.”
I turned—spun—until I could see her. Elira.
She caught me looking and frowned. Not confused. Not curious.
Just alookthat said:What?
“You have to be wrong,” I muttered. “I mean… after everything we went through.”
Maddie didn’t soften.
“Leo, darling, my dear friend—I love you. And I love her. But evenyouhave to realise…”
She gave me a look.
