Page 48 of Toxic Kiss

Shit.

I groan, but another idea crosses my mind, and I plaster a smile on my face.

“Fine. Sorry for being a dick, Haven,” I say, and she narrows her eyes at me.

Haven shakes her head like she’s trying to figure me out, but can’t. Instead, she focuses on Patrick.

“I didn’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to bring you your gift,” she says, holding it out.

“Thanks, and you’re not intruding. You’re always welcome to be here, you know that, right? Cyrus was supposed to invite you.”

Patrick looks back at me.

“I thought I had,” I lie.

I watch her carefully. She glances at me before shrugging.

“Yeah, of course. You know me, parties aren’t really my thing.”

“Patrick, come here,” Vex yells, waving in his direction. “You have to hear this.”

Patrick takes the gift from Haven with a smile and hugs her.

“I won’t be long. I’ll find you. We need to catch up.”

He takes off before Haven can say a word. Perfect. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and guide her into the middle of the chaos. She tries to shrug me off, but I won’t let her.

“So, here is the thing…Patrick wants us to make peace. And honestly, I’m tired of fucking with you,” I say.

“You could’ve fooled me,” she snaps back.

“We’re doing a challenge tonight. No matter what I’ve said or done in the past, if you do this with us, it will wipe the slate clean. You’ll be a legend, and there is nothing I can do to tarnish your image after.”

“Bullshit.”

Haven spins and tries to walk back the way we’ve come, but I grab her arm and tug her back.

“Let go.”

“No. I’m not lying to you.”

“Cyrus, you don’t even know what the truth is anymore. Just yesterday, you told your mother that you didn’t finish the milk. I watched you drink it from the container and put it in the fridge empty. When you lied, I got in trouble.”

“That was a joke.”

“Did you see me laughing while your mother yelled at me? I’m not falling for another one of your stupid tricks.”

Four guys from the football team march through the crowd holding a beer keg like a throne. I use that as an excuse to pull her closer.

“What if I can prove it to you? It’s customary to do a senior challenge at the prom party. I’m sure you’ve heard about that, but since it’s a gorgeous night, we decided to move it to tonight.”

Haven crosses her arms.

“I’m serious, just watch. Hey, Sherry!”

The head cheerleader looks over, and her face lights up as I beckon her over.

“Hey, sexy,” she says, then looks at Haven. “Hey, Haven. It’s been a while.”