Kiss and Break Up (Magnolia Cove, #1)(41)

It’d been three days since she’d decided she wanted nothing to do with me, and though I’d hoped she would, like a na?ve idiot, she’d yet to ditch the loafer-wearing fuckstick. If anything, what I’d done had only opened her arms farther for him.

“Fuck off,” I said around the cigarette dangling between my lips.

Jackson down whipped, then rolled over, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead before dumping his cap back on his head. “He’s butthurt over Peggy.”

“I said fuck off.”

A bunch of younger kids rode in, took one look at us and the middle fingers I gave them, and rode back out to the basketball courts. We didn’t do well with sharing, especially not me. They could wait their damn turn.

Lars rolled his bike back and forth, arms hanging over the front bars. “I’ve gotta say, Thane. I never thought this would be you.”

Jackson huffed. “Pussy.”

I didn’t want to take the bait, but fuck if I could help it at this point. “Elaborate or take a hike.”

“And leave you to mope all on your own?” Jackson checked his phone, frowning, then leaned forward to pocket it. “Because that’s what you’re doing, you know. Moping.”

“Mopey as fuck.” Lars nodded.

“I don’t mope. I fucking brood.”

Jackson laughed. “This sure as hell isn’t brooding. You look like someone’s diagnosed you with an incurable disease.”

Love was a disease.

The thought sparked, sending shockwaves through every nerve ending of my body and electrifying my heart.

I couldn’t be. I didn’t think it was possible, but then again, if it was going to be anyone, these past few weeks had made it crystal clear it was going to be her.

“Well, go on, wise asses.” I stomped on my cigarette. “What would you do?”

“Quit letting her ignore you for a start.”

Lars agreed. “The longer you let that happen, the more room you’re giving them to get even more serious.”

“You really wanna let Woods get between Peggy’s legs?”

I growled at Jackson. “Watch your putrid mouth.”

“Pot black kettle.”

My brows met. “What?”

Jackson waved a hand. “Whatever. Just get your girl or get over it.”

“Is that what you’re doing?”

About to launch into the bowl, he froze, Vans skidding over the concrete.

I laughed. “The taste is always better when you’re eating something forbidden.”

Lars looked back and forth between us. “What are you even saying?”

I kept my eyes glued to Jackson, and he swallowed, a plead within them. I wasn’t one to keep other people’s secrets, but in this case, knowing the fallout would be too fucking devastating and potentially life-ruining, I smirked. “Just Jackson’s penchant for hooking up with the unavailable.”

Lars’s frown said he wasn’t completely buying it, but he was too selfish, we all were, to care for too long.

“So what are you going to do?” Lars asked as we wheeled our bikes out of the skate park an hour later.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

I was still dazed by my earlier revelation. Still trying to wrap my brain around the truth that had laid dormant for who knew how long.

A hidden truth unearthed. It was official. I’d fallen for my best friend, and she was breaking my black fucking heart.





Peggy



I parked my car on the street outside the house, not wanting to block the driveway.

It seemed a little weird that my ride cost more than Mom’s and Phil’s, but at school, it fit right in. Though the flatness that overran me when I’d parked it in the lot first thing Monday morning made me realize I really didn’t care.

I’d been too caught up in the events that’d blown my mind and confused my heart over the weekend. Did Dash like me? Over and over, I’d replayed everything that’d happened that night and in the weeks before. The culmination of it all had my chest constricting as I’d had dinner with Byron, chatted with Dad on the phone, and even now, days later.

He liked me more than a best friend should. Though what scared me the most was knowing I had to ask myself if I liked him too.

Mostly because there was no need to ask or answer. I didn’t know how it’d happened, but somehow, I’d handed even more of my heart to him. More than what a best friend should give. But it would be a mistake to take it any further than we already had.

As it was, we stood to lose way more than we could ever gain.

Dash Thane wasn’t capable of loving anyone but himself, and I’d do well to remember that.

“You never told me Dash was the one who told you about the party,” I said, dragging my fork through my spaghetti the Wednesday after my birthday.

“That’s why you won’t let him in?” Mom asked, sipping her wine. Dash had tried to use the front door after I’d locked the window in my bedroom first thing Monday afternoon.

“He betrayed me.”

Phil took an interest in his phone, minding his own business. He never tried to step in on parenting related matters, which I think Mom preferred. I knew I did, and I think Phil did too. He didn’t have kids of his own, and after teaching teenagers over at the public school all day, he was probably happy not to have to deal with any more teen drama.