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Rip Off the Band-Aid
Leigh
“Itwasanepictakedown,” Nick says to Braden, recalling how Maia told off Miller and Ashley this morning at school.
“Well, not that I need proof of Maia’s ability to verbally eviscerate, but you should’ve gotten that on video.”
“I’m not gonna lie. I was a little jealous that she got to be the one to lay them out, but it was well-earned.”
Braden smirks at me. “Like you haven’t done your fair share of giving them—and everyone—shit.”
I shrug. “Can’t help it. Never enough.”
Nick’s phone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket. “My dad. Probably should take it.” He looks between us, his gaze landing on me. “Promise not to kill him while I’m gone?”
“Eh, we’ll see how angry he makes me.” I shoot Braden a wink and he rolls his eyes.
Nick shakes his head and walks out the door. Braden immediately turns to me.
“So, you and Nick? Finally?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Where are you going with this?”
He looks at me seriously for once in his life. “Don’t break his heart, Leigh.”
My fist curls into a ball.“Me?Are you freaking serious right now? You’re one to talk.”
“I know that. I know I’ve hurt Nick and pretty much everyone else in my life. But the thing is, however much hurt I’ve caused him, you’re capable of destroying him. Do not take that lightly. For all your bluster and snark about cutting people and calling in hits, I know the inside of you is a lot softer, but I also know you’re scared. Don’t let that take over or it’ll all go down in flames.”
What the actual fuck? Where is this coming from?
“When did you become a fountain of wisdom?”
He chuckles. “I don’t know. Maybe I got some knocked into me when I slammed into that tree.”
My eyes go wide. “Braden…”
His eyes move around the room, looking everywhere but at me. “I have to find humor somewhere or I’ll break.”
Damn him for being vulnerable when I want to be mad at him.
“How did you do it, B?”
His eyebrows shoot up. “B? Been a long time since you’ve called me that.”
“Been a long time since you deserved it.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Fair enough. Now, how did I do what?”
“Tell everyone. Tell your family. About Harper.”
“Ah. Well, with a stomach full of terror and some borrowed strength from Maia. But, in fairness, she had to deal with the brunt of it. I mean, my dad’s reaction was basically to accuse me of being a deadbeat—but then again, look where I am now. Maybe he wasn’t wrong.”
“Or maybe it was self-fulfilling prophecy.” The weight of keeping this secret from Abuelita and the fear of her reaction grows heavier each day. It’s a mountain on my chest now.
“Like you think it’ll be if Abuelita compares you to your mom?”
Shit.I’m supposed to have a crack-proof exterior, but I know my face is not behaving. It’s showing exactly how deep his words hit.
