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Narrowing his eyes, he reaches over and lightly pinches me on the thigh in a ticklish sort of way. I nearly jump out of my seat. I hate, hate—let me stress hate—being tickled, and West knows that.
He repeats the movement. “Take that back, Alexis with pretty blue eyes.”
“Never.” My eyes water as he continues to tickle me, but through the laughter, my heart aches a bit.
“Hey, no frowning.” He slants his head to the side, sending strands of blond hair into his eyes. His hand is still resting on my leg, only now, instead of tickling me, his fingers are tracing a light path up and down my thigh. “Come on, Alexis; cheer up.”
I resist a shiver, despite the tingling sensations kissing across my legs, arms, neck—everywhere. WTF.
Push his hand off, Alexis. This is West.
“I didn’t realize I was frowning.” And I don’t think I am anymore.
I cast a casual glance in the mirror on the visor, and yep, sure enough, I’m not frowning. I don’t think my confused, doe-eyed, lost in la la lust land look is any better.
What the fuck am I thinking right now? Is that, like, my getting turned on face?
His finger continues moving up and down my thigh from my knee to the bottom of my shorts, back and forth … back … and forth …
Okay, okay, okay, what the shit is happening?
My eyelids flutter shut as a moan fights its way up my throat. I swear I hear West groan, but the noise is cut off by the screeching of brakes.
My eyes fly right back open as I’m thrown forward, my seatbelt locking up and throwing me right back against the seat.
When I blink dazedly at the front of the car, all lust goes flying out the window, which I’m freakin’ grateful for … I think.
I narrow my eyes at Masie standing in front of the car with her hands out in front of her, eyes huge, breathing fierce, her face bright red.
“What the hell is that crazy woman doing?” West mumbles as he shoves the shifter into park. Then he sticks his head out the window and yells, “Do you have a death wish or something?”
“Oh, shut the hell up, West,” she snaps, her gaze skating back to mine. She swallows hard, her eyes watering. “Alexis, please, just listen to me, okay?” She positions herself in front of the car, putting her hands on the hood and raising her voice over the grumbling engine. “I didn’t mean for it to happen … We were just swimming, and he kissed me.” She shakes her head. “But that’s no excuse. I’m your best friend, and I should’ve talked to you first before I did anything.”
For a brief moment, I feel kind of bad for her. She looks so tormented, so upset … But hold up. Wait.
“Are you saying you wanted to kiss Blaine?” I grit through my teeth. “That you’ve thought about it before?”
More tears pool in her eyes, her bottom lip quivering as she fights not to cry. “I didn’t mean to fall for him, but it just sort of happened.”
I’m not sure whether I’m heartbroken or pissed off.
“For how long?”
A crease forms at her brows. “What do you mean?”
“How long have you two been hooking up?” I bite out. Yes, it’s an assumption, but I know Masie very well. When she wants a guy, she doesn’t mess around; she just goes for it. So, if she’s saying she likes Blaine, then …
I swallow the lump crammed in my throat. Her silence says it all.
“So, it’s true, then?” My voice cracks. “That wasn’t the first time you guys kissed?”
Tears spill from her eyes as she slowly shakes her head. “We’ve been seeing each other for a few months. I’m so sorry, Alexis. I wanted to tell you, but I—”
I cut her off with a sharp laugh. “You wanted to tell me?” I laugh again, the sound hauntingly eerie.
West reaches over, placing a hand in mine. I don’t try to shove him away like I normally would, probably because I’m too distracted by the storm of anger grumbling inside me.
“Sure, you did. That’s why you continued to encourage me to go for it with Blaine. Why would you do that if you knew my heart was just going to get broken?”
She’s crying so hard now, snot running down her face. “I’m so sorry. I thought, if I kept pretending like nothing was happening between Blaine and I, you wouldn’t find out.” She sobs. “But things got so out of hand … And Blaine, he kept saying we should tell you so this wouldn’t happen. But I was so scared.”
I curl my hands into fist, nearly squeezing the life out of West’s hand. He doesn’t so much as flinch.
“You told Blaine I like him?” She’s lucky I’m not kicking her ass yet, but I’m getting close.
Her bottom lip starts to quiver. “I’m sorry. It just sort of slipped out. He was flirting with me, and I said I couldn’t date him. He kept pushing me, asking why, and I accidentally let it slip.” She rushes toward the passenger side of the car and grips the door. “Please, Alexis, don’t let this ruin our friendship. I know we can get past this.” Her gaze flicks to West, and then back to me. “Just come someplace with me. Someplace where we can talk. Just you and me. I know we can fix this, Alexis. Please, please, please.”
She’s babbling hysterically, and maybe if she’d just hooked up with him once, I could’ve gotten past this. But I can’t forgive how she told Blaine I liked him and how she continually pushed me to go for it with him when she knew I could never have him. How she’s been lying to me.
I turn my head toward West. “Just go before I get out and kick her ass.”
West nods and reaches for the shifter while Masie lets out a heart-wrenching sob.
“Alexis, no, no, no,” she babbles, trying to open my door. “We can’t just let this go. We need to fix this. You’re my best friend.”
I shake my head, lock the door, and start to roll up the window. “No, we’re not. In fact, I’m not sure we ever were.” The words cut against my lips, but only because they carry so much truth.
I
may have thought Masie and I were best friends, but that was nothing but a lie. Because best friends don’t do what she did to me. And the friendship we once had will never be the same.
Not ever again.
Well, that can never happen again
Alexis
After West drives away, leaving Masie in a cloud of dust and a sea of self-pity party tears, I remain quiet for a long time. So long, that I’m sure I start to freak him out. But I can’t find any words to follow what just happened. I mean, what are you supposed to say after your best friend begged for your forgiveness in the middle of the street after admitting that she stabbed you in the back and the heart?
“Oh, my God, feelings suck,” I mutter.
Well, I guess it’s better than I freaking hate my traitor, stabbing, heart-stomping friend.
West chuckles.
When I shoot him a look, he holds up a hand in front of him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh at you.” He bites on his lip to keep from smiling. “It’s just that … I think that same thing all the time.”
“That feelings suck?”
“Yep.”
“Oh.” I pause. “Is that why you haven’t ever been in a real relationship? Or is that because of your parents?” I shake my head and look away. “You know what? Forget I said that. It’s none of my damn business.”
“No, it’s fine,” he promises, not sounding offended. “And the answer is neither.”
I flit a glance in his direction. “Really?”
He nods, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “Yes, really.”
Confusion does the disco inside my brain. “Why do you seem so smiley about that?”
“No reason.” He winks. “Besides, you should know by now that I’m a smiley sort of guy.”
I snort a laugh. “Sure, you are.”
He presses his hand to his chest. “How you wound me so, Alexis.”
I roll my eyes. “Easy, wannabe Shakespeare.”
He chuckles. “You know, normal girls like that romantic shit.”
“Well, I’m not a normal girl.”
“No, you’re not.”
