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Her eyes widen in surprise. “Okay!” she says in that same doubtful tone. “If you say so. I went out with him too. I met him in a club with Max and Lucia. We fooled around for a few weeks and had a good time. But then I found out that he was seeing another girl. So yeah, it was over for me at that point.”
I gulp and don’t know what to say.
“Wasn’t the other girl a friend of yours?” Max asks with feigned innocence. I really feel like wringing her neck.
“Yeah, at least she was until then,” says June.
“Wow, unbelievable,” I mutter.
Max nods vigorously. “Yeah, I know, right? I couldn’t believe it either. I felt so sorry for June.”
I shake my head and say, “No, I don’t mean June’s story – although I’m sure that sucked. I was more referring to you parading one of Ayden’s exes in front of me and getting her to tell stories about him. What is wrong with you?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’d like to know,” says Alex, leaning back expectantly in her chair. “I have to agree with Teresa – it’s a pretty mean stunt.”
If looks could kill, Alex would have just fallen lifeless off her chair, the way Max is looking at her.
“That wasn’t my intention,” she says, trying to talk her way out of it. “We honestly just ran into each other, and I thought it would be okay to bring her with me.”
“I don’t get what all the fuss is about,” June chimes in.“Everyone knows Ayden likes to have a good time. To go off like that because I said something about him that you don’t want to hear...”
“You can say whatever you like about him. I don’t care. What I’m not happy about is that my friend obviously orchestrated this whole drama. I don’t like being manipulated. That’s all.”
“Wow,” says June, shooting me an evil look. “Maybe she was just trying to help you by opening your eyes. You don’t seem like the kind of person who could deal with being dumped and then finding out he has three other girls in his sights. Because that’s what’s going to happen.” She stands up, hugs Max, and says to her, “Sorry, but this is getting too weird. I don’t want to waste my time arguing with someone like that, and you shouldn’t either.”
“Okay,” Max replies. “Let me know when you’re next in town.”
June shoots me another evil look and stalks off.
“I’m sorry if you felt like I was trying to manipulate you,” Max offers. “But maybe June’s right. Maybe I was just trying to open your eyes because I’m worried about you.”
“Oh yeah? Didn’t you say before that you were happy for us? I mean, apparently I just look so happy.”
“You’re my friend, and I don’t want you to get hurt. You’re always there for me. Like that time when you came to get me from that club when I... you know. So I can’t just stand by and watch you get hurt.”
I snort loudly at the rueful look in her eyes. “Just stay out of it, okay? It’s sweet that you’re concerned about me, but you don’t need to be. I’ll come and talk to you if I need to. Otherwise, I prefer to deal with things on my own.”
Max nods slowly. She looks downcast. “I think I should go. I’m really sorry.” With that, she stands up and weaves through the tables toward the exit.
Alex picks up a cushion off one of the chairs and holds it up in front of me. “Just punch this and let it all out. Or do you want meto go after her and say to her face that she obviously has a loose screw?”
I smirk and shake my head. “It’s okay. I think she got the message.”
“I mean, who needs enemies when you have friends like that?”
“She made a bad call, but I guess she meant well,” says Kate.
I glance at the exit. Max is gone, and I guess Kate’s right. But that doesn’t make me feel any better.
Chapter 29
Ayden had a late meeting with the hunters, so we agreed to meet in front of his father’s apartment block. I’m pretty nervous, and on top of that, the thing with Max and her friend June still rankles. I’m not sure if I should ask Ayden about June. It was over a year ago, and it doesn’t sound like they parted on good terms. And it has nothing to do with us. But maybe he should know that I met her.
I pace up and down the street trying to prepare myself for my encounter with Mr. Collins. How much does he know about me and Noah? He seems to suspect that we’re in contact. Is there anything I can do to throw him off the scent? What will happen tonight?
I take a few deep breaths and spot someone walking up the street. A smile spreads across my face when I see that it’s Ayden. He hugs me and kisses the top of my head.
“Sorry, it went on later than expected.”
