Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 100612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
My heart kicks up a notch as I force a neutral expression onto my face.
“Totally,” Easton replies quickly, dropping his arm from the locker. “Sure.”
Totally. Sure. Doesn’t even consult me about it.
The gall!
Worse still? The teasing glint in his eyes from when he and I were flirting has vanished, replaced by one that’s more serious, more attentive—all his attention on her. Meanwhile, Maddie continues to act like I’m not here, sparing me not even a second glance.
“Cool.” His crush shoots him a grin that could melt any guy’s resolve.
And just when I think she’s about to turn and walk away, Maddie pauses like she’s remembered something. She takes her braid and pulls at the rubber band. Gives him a coy smile.
“If you could use some extra hands, let me know.”
If you could use some extra hands, let me know.
NO.
WHAT?! No!
We do not want her! Not involved, not helping, not filming. Not anywhere!
No, no, no! Prom is my thing. Mine. Not his.
Easton’s blue gaze—the one I adore—follows her as she strides away, steps light and confident. Hips swaying. It’s like she’s the star of her own reality show, because in her world, she is.
I ignore the tightness in my chest at the feeling of being completely overshadowed.
Maddie Miller is the girl everyone wants, and I’m just, well…
Me.
There’s a moment of silence between us as we both watch her strutting away, the weight of unspoken things hanging in the air.
I blink, remembering we were mid-conversation before Maddie’s drop-by threw us off. “Sorry, what were we saying before?”
“Nothing. Maddie interrupted us.” Easton’s voice pulls me out of my morose monologuing. He may be looking at me again, but the energy between us has shifted. I’m annoyed.
Hurt.
Envious.
“Nothing,” I say, a bit sharper than I intended. My arms cross defensively as I look away, feigning indifference. “We weren’t talking about anything before she interrupted.”
He was flirting and she ruined it.
Easton, the big dope, cocks his head at me like a confused puppy, eyes betraying him by staring down the hall in Maddie Miller’s wake, and if I had stuff to stuff in my locker I would be stuffing it.
“Yeah, exactly. So why do you look pissed?”
BECAUSE I’M JEALOUS! I want to shout. BECAUSE YOU LIKE HER AND NOW SHE’S GIVING YOU ATTENTION AND VOLUNTEERED TO HELP US.
Duh!
“You’re only on the stupid committee because of me and now you’re giving her permission to film us decorating!” The bitter words come flying out of my mouth before I can stop them.
Who gave him the right to invite her into our cute, fun little circle?
No one!
I want to wring his thick neck.
“You said the committee needed help.” Easton points out the obvious. I did say that. “And I’m not on the committee out of the goodness of my heart, remember? So who cares if she stops in.”
I care.
Easton thinks out loud. “She probably won’t bother showing up—does she look like the kind of girl who likes to get glitter in her hair?”
I glare at him.
Just then, the PA system chimes to life, filling the hallway with a faint static crackle. Principal Callahan’s voice echoes down every corridor, sounding overly formal and a touch too boisterous.
“Attention, students. As you are well aware, the culprit responsible for the theft of the Parker Lane mascot has yet to be discovered. Therefore, the administration is now offering a reward to anyone who provides information regarding the mascot’s theft.”
Easton and I exchange glances, Maddie Miller momentarily forgotten. A reward? They’ve never done that before.
That can’t be good.
“If you have any information, please come to the office. If you wish to remain anonymous, a box will be placed near the guidance office for tips.”
I glance around, my pulse quickening as whispers spread like wildfire in the hall. People are leaning in close, murmuring, casting suspicious looks at one another, eyes gleaming with newfound interest. A reward could turn this harmless prank into a full-blown witch hunt.
I shift uncomfortably, trying to act casual. “A reward?” I whisper to Easton. “Aren’t they being a tad overdramatic?”
“Guess they’re desperate.” He swallows nervously.
“Desperate enough to bribe people to snitch?”
Easton shakes his head, his jaw set. “No one will say anything.”
Obviously, there’s a small group of seniors who know about the mascot-stealing tradition—it’s an annual event, albeit hush-hush—but overall, it’s always managed to stay under the radar, hidden in that gray area between tradition and trouble.
I narrow my eyes at him, doubting his confidence. “How do you know no one will say anything?”
He leans in closer, lowering his voice. “Because. I just do. Besides, the moment someone rats me out, we all go down together.”
My stomach twists as I imagine someone deciding that a few hundred bucks is worth the risk and turning him in. Or me.
I was with him on school grounds. I’m the one who drove…
“No looking back,” he says, his voice low and resolute.