Free Scandal by Kate Brian Page B

Constance said, ducking her head. “I mean, why would you ask her instead of, like … Kiki or Astrid or—”
    “You?” I finished.
    “No! No … I mean … well, yeah,” Constance said with a shrug. “Why not me? I mean, I thought we were friends.”
    “We are,” I said. “It’s just, Ivy …”
    How was I supposed to explain this? Was I really going to say that Ivy was stronger? Smarter? Better at keeping a secret?
    “Ivy was … She was really depressed after the shooting,” I lied. “I just felt like she needed something, you know? Like a project? Something to make her feel like she was useful and part of something.”
    Constance’s eyes widened. “Really?”
    She was so gullible I felt even guiltier for lying. “Yeah. But don’t say anything about it, okay? She’s still pretty sensitive.”
    “Okay. I get it,” Constance said eagerly. If there was one thing she loved, it was to feel included, to be brought into someone’s confidence.
    “Constance, you know not to tell anyone about this, right?” I said, placing my hand on hers. “Not even Whit?”
    Constance rolled her eyes. “Please. I know what the word secret means, Reed.”
    I sure hoped so.
    She shifted in her seat and looked out at the court. “That’s so nice of you to do that for Ivy. Especially since she’s with Josh and everything. You’re, like, a saint!”
    I gave her a stiff smile.
    Just then, Ivy joined us, dropping down on the bench next to me and taking a swig of her Coke. “All right, explain this game to me,” she said. “I know you’re supposed to get the ball through the hoop, but other than that I got nothing.”
    “I can explain it to you!” Constance offered, getting up and shooing me aside so she could sit next to Ivy.
    I slid closer to Kiki and tried not to hang my head in shame. Now Constance was being nice to Ivy because she thought the girl was depressed? Good one, Reed.
    But so what? I’d only lied to spare Constance’s feelings. The one little lie wouldn’t matter.
    During a lull in the noise, I heard my phone beep and fished it out of my bag. It was a text from Upton.
    Haven’t heard from you in a while. Are we still friends? :)
    My heart clenched and I looked around at the Easton crowd. Ivy and Constance were chatting with their heads bent close together. The rest of the girls were cheering as Tiffany set up the next play at center court, dribbling the ball in front of her. And behind me, I could practically feel Josh’s presence. Feel his eyes on the back of my neck.
    Just my imagination. It was just me wishing I was as important to him now as I’d once been.
    From the corner of my eye, I glanced at Ivy. She was completely focused on the game. Slowly, I turned around, trying to make it seem like I was just looking for someone in the crowd.
    And Josh was staring right at me. My heart stopped. He held my gaze for a long moment. A very long moment. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. All I wanted to do was grab him and pull him out of here and kiss him. Then finally, slowly, he looked past me at the court. The moment passed, but my pulse continued to race.
    My throat completely dry, I turned around again and looked down at my phone. It was possible that Josh and I would never be together again. But I was starting to think that my getting over him was completely im possible. My heart heavy, my fingers trembling, I texted Upton back.
    Of course we’re still friends. but would u hate me 4ever if i said “just friends?”
    I held my breath, fretting over his reply. It came almost instantly.
    Could never hate u. And can never have enuf hot American friends.
    I laughed, relieved, and texted back a thank-you, then tucked my phone away and tried to concentrate on the game. At least one relationship on my life was now clearly defined. Now if only I could figure out the rest of them, I’d be golden.

LIGHT READING
    “Did you guys know that Mitchell and Micah Easton had a sister? Her name was Marianne