Page 50 of Knot a Bad Idea
“I hate them,”Skylar declares. “I absolutely hate them. They’re dead to me.”
I sigh. “I don’t hate them.”
“That’s fine. I hate them enough for both of us.”
It’s been more than a week since I came back to Isleton, and Skylar is ready to go to war for me.
So is her entire pack.
Devyn and Ben are, as well.
We sit around Skylar’s tiny living room as my friends brainstorm ways to ruin Donovan’s, Liam’s, and Hunter’s lives.
Everyone except Vincent, who is still at his detective agency.
Skylar cuddles between River and Landon on the couch, and Devyn sits in Ben’s lap on the floor.
I’m on the floor as well, my back against the front of the couch and on the opposite end of Devyn and Ben.
We should have done this at my house—Skylar’s place is already small enough without six people. The coffee table infront of us is full of cheese, crackers, olives, and all different snacks that Skylar and Devyn scavenged from their kitchens. I offered to contribute, but Skylar insisted that she and Devyn had it handled. But I hardly pick at my plate loaded with smoked salmon, goat cheese, and slices of sourdough baguettes.
Instead, I struggle to ignore the heavy pain in my heart.
It’s been a week of hell.
“We could blow up their cars,” River adds, trying to be helpful. “That’d be funny as fuck. I’m sure those assholes have insurance; but it would be fun to stress them out.”
“You can’t do that, River,” Ben warns. “No more doing stuff with cars.”
I almost forget that River poured coffee into Skylar’s ex’s truck and destroyed the engine.
“They deserve worse,” Skylar mutters, and I shake my head.
“No, they don’t,” I snap, and my best friend’s eyes widen. “It’s…complicated.”
“But you broke up, right?” Devyn asks tentatively. “Or are you just on a break?”
Ben absentmindedly kisses her hair, and I feel a twinge of jealousy.
Everyone around me is so happy, their scents sweet and mellow, and I’m alone.
I’m the one that can’t have a normal relationship and had to pretend to be in one until it blew up in my face.
And no one around me knows the truth.
I sigh and bury my face in my hands. “I…thinkwe broke up,” I mutter. “But um…I’m still going to go with them to a few more events.”
“Wait.” I lift my head to see Landon, who looks at me curiously. “That doesn’t seem fair to you. Why would you do that?”
I shrug. “It’s easier for them if we still appear to be together in their social circle.”
Landon doesn’t seem convinced. “But is it easier foryou?” he asks softly.
“None of this has been easy,” I blurt before I can stop myself. River gives me a strange look while Skylar bites her lip. “I mean…I’d rather not make things more complicated.”
“Sorry.” Skylar waves her hands animatedly. “So, just so I’m clear,theybroke up withyou, butyouwant to make their life easier for them?”
“Babe,” River starts, but Skylar continues.