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I don’t know why because she saw me in worse states in high school. She saw me at my most vulnerable and always put me back together when I was at my worst.
Yet, lately, I’ve been the one running our relationship. I’ve been the one taking control and leading us. The fact that she’s now seeing me standing so meek next to Conor is embarrassing.
They all walk toward us, and I know that Rose must have shared that Conor is a number one asshole—even if she didn’t say why—because the two guys are annihilating my fiancé with their stares. They all say hi to me, and no one even addresses him, which brings a small smile to my face.
The best thing is the way Conor loses composure in front of them. Despite being older than all of them, Rose and her friends’ reputations always preceded them. It means nothing outside of Stoneview, or when we’re all going on with our now adult lives. But facing them? It’s different. They were the kings of Stoneview Prep, the popular kids who ruled us all and were constantly the center of everyone’s attention.
“Hey,” Conor hesitates. “Luke, bro, we didn’t get to talk to you yesterday. So many people at the engagement party. You know how it is. How’s LA?”
A mocking snort escapes Rose when Luke doesn’t acknowledge Conor and turns to me instead. “How have you been?”
I nod, and my gaze crosses Rose. “Very good.” Always when she’s around. “When are you flying back,” I continue.
“Tomorrow. I wish I could stay longer but work calls. Bakers’ cafés wait for no one.”
“Of course,” I agree with a smile.
Rose gets slightly closer to me, observing me, and my stomach drops. She can see it, the red mark on my cheek that probably still has the shape of fingers. I justknowshe can see it.
Conor must see how close she’s getting to me because he grabs my hand. “Anyway, let’s go. Nice to see you guys,” he lies.
While Luke and Chris are glaring at him with all the hate they can muster, I widen my eyes at Rose and shake my head slightly. Does she think I don’t know very well when she’s about to do something stupid?
‘Don’t’, I mime soundlessly.
Conor takes one step away, but Rose’s hand is on my arm before I can follow, clutching me just above my elbow.
“What happened to your cheek,” she murmurs low.
Conor flips around, not bothering with the pretend niceties as he did with the guys.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he rages at her. Too much rage for someone who should pretend innocence. It makes her smile.
“Talking to my friend,” she replies lightly. “But please, tell me.” Her voice turns a thousand shades darker. An infinite amount that leaves no doubt of how dangerous she can be. “What doyouthink you’re doing?”
There’s a moment of cold silence, showing how destabilized Conor is. He collects himself again and pulls at my wrist. “I’m taking my fiancée home. Because that’s what she is, remember? She chose me.”
I wonder what my life would have been like if I’d opened my mouth at this moment and shouted at Conor that I never chose him. That it was all forced on me and that tonight was the last night he would ever put a hand on me. I would have left with Rose, knowing they’d all protect me. We’d have joined Lik and Sam and probably gotten away with it.
Only the fear…the fear is indescribable.
And I keep quiet.
Which only encourages Conor. “Don’t you wish you were fucking her, Rose? God, she feels so fucking good.” His words make me cringe. Disgusting. Embarrassing for both of us.
She lets go of my arm, taking a step back, running a hand across her face and cracking her neck. Her volatile personality is showing its ugly side. Her natural jealousy is getting her furious. I’m not the only one who sees it, because Chris intervenes.
“On those lovely words, we should go,” he tells everyone. “Come on, Rose.”
Taking a deep breath, she nods and steps away from us. She’s about to leave when Conor tells me, “Get your ass in the car, baby.”
I don’t even think it’s the way he talked to me that bothered her. No, I think it’s the ‘baby’ that did it. Maybe both.
Rose chuckles, shaking her head before turning around and coming face to face with Conor. “You were a second choice because I was gone, Conor. Get off that pedestal you put yourself on right fucking now.”
Chris and Luke come back to stand behind Rose. “Rose, let’s go,” Chris insists, putting a hand on her shoulder, but she just shrugs him off.
Conor is seething now, and he’s the one who keeps going. “Never forget one of us was always called 'the friend' when she slept over. One of us met her parents and is going to marry her.”
