She had overheard her stepmom calling out Cole’s name the night before while she was fucking our friend Kellan. He tried to convince Austin that Cole was cheating on her. And she believed it for a day. That was long enough to drive her crazy. That was also the day I found out Kellan was fucking Celeste. We didn’t need to know why. There was a reason behind it, but we just couldn’t figure it out.
Austin nods, getting my attention. “You force her hand. If she is really Evan Scott, she’ll get pissed and act without thinking it through. Make her jealous and see what Evan does next. We get another letter, message, or whatever, then you know it’s from her. But …” She pauses. “I’m just gonna give you my opinion now. It’s not Demi.”
“Who do you think it is?” Bennett speaks up for the first time.
“I don’t know,” she answers honestly, and he leans back on the couch, letting out a sigh. “I mean, how many enemies could you have left behind in Collins?” She shrugs. “I think it could be anyone at this point. And if for some reason, I’m wrong, and it’s Demi pretending to be Evan Scott, she’s not doing it alone. She’d have to have help, right?”
No one answers, but she makes a valid point.
I pull out my cell and send a quick message to Becky. She had messaged me the other day about wanting to meet up this weekend. I don’t have time to wait that long.
Me: Wanna have dinner tomorrow night?
“I’m not sure this will work.” Shane growls. “How are you gonna make Demi jealous?”
I look over at him. “I’ll stay the night with Becky.”
“Whoa …” Austin starts. “I said to make Demi jealous, not hurt Becky. She loves—”
“Becky and I are never going to happen,” I interrupt her.
Her mouth clamps shut at my words. Some things just can’t be undone. And Becky and I reached that point months ago. But I don’t mind using her.
My phone dings.
Becky: I’d love to.
“I’m on. Tomorrow night,” I announce.
The room falls silent, and I place my phone down without responding.
“Do we need to tell you this stays between us?” Shane asks, narrowing his eyes on Austin. He doesn’t want her running to Becky and telling her our plan.
Cole glares up at him, but Austin just sighs. She’s mad at me. And a part of me hates that. I see her as a little sister, but no matter how much I love Austin, it’s not going to make me love Becky.
“What?” Shane snaps. “She’s best friends with Becky. One word could ruin it.”
“I’ll keep my mouth shut,” she tells him. “But thanks for the reminder.” Austin gets up and leaves the living room, making her way upstairs. Cole follows her without saying a word, knowing he’s finally going to get his dick wet.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
BECKY
STANDING AT THE foot of my bed, I look over the clothes I have thrown around my room.
I’m having dinner with Deke tonight. And I can’t find a single thing to wear.
Every girl’s worst nightmare.
The problem is this isn’t a first date. I need something that screams love me. Take me back. I can’t live without you.
And I have nothing.
All but running out of my room, I enter Demi’s. She’s out with Seth tonight. I overheard her telling him earlier when she came home to get ready and she would meet him at seven thirty at Lake Travis. His parents have a cabin over there.
I rummage through her closet. She normally doesn’t dress like me. She prefers frumpy shirts and jeans with tennis shoes.
Not my style.
But that doesn’t stop my mother from buying her expensive dresses. My mother has high hopes for Demi. She sees her representing her lingerie line one day even though my sister gives zero shits about it. I think that’s why my mother pushes her. If Demi would just give in, then our mother would probably back off.
I come across a royal blue bandage dress. It wraps around the ribs, showing off a little midriff with a high skirt, connecting the two in the back. I hold it up to my body to measure the length. I’m taller than Demi and my boobs are bigger, but I can make it work. It would probably come to her knees so my upper thighs.
I remove my jeans and tank top right here in her closet and then step into it, thinking it would be easier to pull up than push down. After wiggling my hips and shaking my ass, I get it on. I run my hands down the form-fitting skirt and face the floor-length mirror in the corner of her room.
I smile at myself. It’s a little tighter than I’d like, but it will work for dinner. If I play my cards right, he’ll be taking it off me later. Just like old times. It reminds me of this one time when he took me on a date, but we had to keep it a secret because I was with David.