Anyone But Rich (Anyone But..., #1)(46)
Stella rolled her eyes. “Weak.”
I glared. “What?”
“Weak. I said you’re weak. Really? People threatened you, so you got scared and backed off? You thought you might be a meanie head, so you ran?” She scoffed. “Maybe our relationship could work out after all, because you obviously don’t have any balls.”
I couldn’t help grinning at that, but the humor was fleeting. “I’m trying to protect her. I’m not running. I’m walking away, because staying would be bad for her.”
She looked unimpressed. “If that’s what you have to tell yourself.”
“It’s the truth,” I snapped. “I do what has to be done.” I thrust my arm toward Cade and Nick, who were laughing like idiots when Cade’s scheme seemed to actually work. “Not everybody can coast through their lives doing what they feel like at every opportunity. Some people have to do what’s hard, even if it feels like shit.”
“Is that what you think? You’re the self-sacrificing martyr? Or maybe you’re just afraid to let yourself be happy for once. Maybe you think you deserve to be miserable.”
“That’s bullshit.” My answer came immediately, but the words felt hollow. Even as I denied it, I could feel Stella’s accusation sinking deeper into my thoughts and taking root. “If Kira thought I was wrong, she would’ve stopped me from leaving anyway.”
Stella grinned. “Somebody doesn’t look as confident as they did a few seconds ago when they were saying they did the right thing.”
“Shut up,” I said. “At least now you don’t have to worry about telling your father the truth yet. It looks like our farce of a relationship will live to fight another day.”
“Silver linings.” She sighed.
Chapter 17
KIRA
I walked into Bradley’s with a stereo I’d borrowed from school over my head. It wasn’t technically a boom box, but I hoped my friends would get the reference anyway. The CD player also didn’t work, so I had to awkwardly wait in my car until a half-decent apology song came on the radio and then rush in with the thing held up high.
Everybody stopped talking and turned to look at me as I came walking in slowly, eyes locked on the table where Iris and Miranda were watching with wide-eyed horror.
I could hear tables breaking into excited whispers as I passed. It was peak breakfast time, and Bradley’s was absolutely packed. Everyone knew the drama between my trio of friends and the King brothers already, including the “breakup” that had happened last night between Rich and me. Considering I never thought we were officially dating, I thought calling it a breakup was a bit dramatic.
Iris regained her composure first. She put her hand on her holster and looked to Miranda. “I think I could shoot it out of her hands if she keeps moving at that speed. Then again, I might miss and hit her. Either way, I think we could call it a win.”
I set the stereo down on the table. “Can I sit?”
Miranda pressed the power button, and once the music was off, I could hear the ocean-like whoosh of dozens of whispered conversations all around us. “You may,” she said coldly.
I sat down. The whispers quieted, and nobody was trying very hard to act like they weren’t watching. I ignored all of them. I felt like the village idiot. Not only had I thrown away my friendship for a guy, but I’d managed to lose the guy too. To top it off, everyone in West Valley seemed to know exactly what had happened.
“You turning yourself in, or do you want to do this the hard way?” Iris asked. She pulled out her handcuffs and twirled them on her finger.
I worked my lips to the side, not sure if I was supposed to smile or not. “I confess that I was an ass. And I’m sorry I broke the promise. But I’m coming back with my head hanging low, ready to accept my punishment if you two will just please talk to me again.”
Iris wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m over it. It’s not fun trying to kick a girl when she’s down anyway, and you’re so, so far down it’s honestly pathetic. It’s kind of like The Scarlet Letter, except yours would be an L, because you look like a total loser in front of the whole town. And at least Hester Prynne got laid to earn that A. Wait, did she actually get laid in the book, or did everyone just assume she did?”
I nodded. “She was guilty.”
“Yeah, so, whatever,” Iris said offhandedly. “You transgressed, child. You strayed from the path, but you know what? I just can’t quit you, Kira Summerland. You’re my crack. My sexy librarian.”
I laughed. “Thank you. I think. And thanks for putting it so delicately. I have been feeling pretty self-conscious, so it’s good to know it’s every bit as embarrassing as I imagined.”
Iris looked to Miranda. “We forgive her, right?”
Miranda crossed her arms and wouldn’t raise her eyes to meet mine.
“Miranda, come on,” Iris urged. “Rich put her through enough on his own, didn’t he? Do we really need to pile on?”
“Yeah, fine. I guess it’s silly to keep putting so much focus on the promise after all this time anyway. To be completely honest, it had started to feel more like a joke at some point. But when they came back, it was like some kind of switch flipped. I mean, I’m still not going near any of the Kings with a ten-foot pole, but getting pissed at you for making your own choices? Yeah. I let it get out of control, and I’m sorry.”