Gold (All that Glitters #2)(61)

“Bryna,” Stacia murmured awkwardly.

“Did he tell you to tell me about this?”

“No!” she cried. “He actually said not to tell you. He was worried about your reaction.”

“I’m sure.”

“Come on!”

“He’s totally playing you, and you don’t even see it. He wanted you to be quiet about it, so he could tell me himself. It’s all a f*cking game with him. He wanted me to get pissed, so I’d isolate myself from my friends. It’s f*cking high school all over again.”

“No! Bryna, it’s not like that,” Stacia said. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! Pace is obsessed with me. He’s wanted to f*ck me since he moved into my parents’ house with his Valley trash mother. He’s trying to get to me through you, like he did senior year when he slept with my two best friends over New Year’s. This whole thing is another ploy.”

“God, B! Do you think of anyone but yourself? Pace likes me, and it’s not because of you. You sound pissed that one of your many admirers isn’t fawning over you, and someone else is getting the attention for once.”

Bryna’s mouth dropped open. “That is not the case. The last person I want fawning over me is Pace. I’d be perfectly happy for you if this were any other guy.”

“Fine. Don’t be happy for me, but get used to it because I’m not changing my mind.”

“Is this because he’s a quarterback? I know you want an NFL quarterback, S. Pace is the backup.”

“It’s his first year,” she spat. “He’ll start when Marshall leaves. And no, it’s not about that. I actually like him.”

“I can’t see how.”

“I knew this would be difficult, but you’re my friend. Can’t you at least pretend to be supportive? Even if you have to lie?”

Bryna ground her teeth. “It would be a lie.”

Stacia harrumphed, shook her head, and then stormed off without a word. Clearly, Bryna’s reaction had pissed her off too much. Maybe if it Pace really wasn’t using her, then Bryna could get used to the idea. Maybe. But it seemed unlikely.

Bryna’s eyes searched the room. Stacia had stomped over to Trihn and Maya and was probably talking shit about the confrontation. But that wasn’t who Bryna wanted to see. Her eyes found Pace standing next to the patio door, talking to some other football players.

She angrily stalked over to him, and the other guys scattered.

“What the f*ck?”

“So, Stacia told you, huh?”

“Do you always have to try to ruin my life?” she spat.

“I don’t have to try. You’re really good at it on your own.”

“Ugh!” she cried out. “It’s just another game! Avery and Tara all over again, right?”

“No,” he admitted. “I actually like Stacia.”

“Oh, I’m sure.”

“I told her not to tell you because I knew you’d react this way, but shocking, your friends don’t know your past. I was saving you some anger, but now that you know, stay away from Stacia. You’re not going to change her mind. We’re together. The end.”

Bryna screamed in frustration. What the f*ck is wrong with the world?

She couldn’t handle being out right now. This was all too much. She wasn’t really pissed at Stacia. Bryna was just angry that Stacia had let Pace manipulate her so well. She had no idea what he was doing, and when she did find out, Bryna feared for her friend. She wasn’t sure Stacia could handle it.

Without another word to anyone else, Bryna stalked out of Posse. She walked to her car in the parking lot and drove across town to Eric’s house. She was too keyed up to go home. Eric would be able to calm her down after all of that. He always knew the right things to say.

She ground her teeth. She hoped Eric was ready to get f*cked up because she wanted to down a bottle of liquor and forget the evening. Forget that Stacia and Pace were dating.

Bryna pushed open Eric’s front door.

“Eric?” she called.

No answer.

She hadn’t really expected one. He was probably studying. It was still pretty early, but he could be asleep.

Tossing her purse and heels at the base of the stairs, Bryna ambled into the kitchen. She dug through the pantry to find a half-empty bottle of Maker’s Mark.

“Perfect,” she muttered.

She grabbed two glasses out of the cupboard. They weren’t crystal or fancy or anything, but they would do in a dire situation. Good enough for now. Good enough to wash away the thought of Pace.

She paused and decided it might not be a bad idea to take a shot first. Then, she could have a head start. Eric would understand. Unscrewing the top, Bryna placed her mouth to the bottle and let the bourbon burn down her throat.

“Holy shit!”

She replaced the top on the bottle, clinked the two glasses between her fingers, and tiptoed up the stairs. The door was closed to his room, but she could see a sliver of light through the crack at the bottom. Maker’s was going to make studying really interesting.

She jiggled the door handle, trying to force it open with her hands full. Frustration creasing her temple, she leaned into the door with her shoulder and shoved it open as the handle clicked. Unceremoniously, she stumbled forward into the room, keeping a tight grip on the precious cargo in her hands.