Hayden laughed loudly, and I glared at him. Needless to say, I didn’t appreciate his amusement.
“I have no idea whether he had my number. I haven’t changed it, that’s for sure. But rest assured, little fighter, we haven’t been friends since sophomore year.”
“Is that right?”
“Yep, we had a difference of opinion, you might say,” he snickered.
“Which would be what?”
“Nothing that concerns you. I’m still available if you want to make him jealous,” Hayden said with a smirk before walking away.
Shaking my head, I headed to my next class, storm clouds brewing in my aching head.
At lunch, I escape to the library, now avoiding Nate because I’m dreading the coming discussion and possibly hurting his feelings. I can’t fucking win with these guys.
Instead, I while away my lunch in the library, lamenting the fact that I don’t have Teddy to spend it with, and even though we text back and forth, it's not the same. I miss seeing Teddy’s friendly face and happy smile.
The week passes uneventfully beyond Colt’s brooding, and I hide away over the weekend, studying up as best I can and visiting Mom’s grave.
By Sunday, I’m back at the table with Maggie, eating our obligatory breakfast together and eyeing her cigarette distastefully.
“Well, kid. How’s the week gone?” she rasps, raising her dark brow at me.
Maggie’s an older, harsher version of my mom, with hard blue eyes and dark hair turning grey at the temples. At times I’m bewildered by the differences between her and my mom, but she’s grown on me since I came here so unexpectedly.
“It's okay,” I say idly, chewing my eggs quietly.
I’ve not spoken about Colt to her, but she's sure to have noticed he hasn’t been around. Thankfully, she’s not the type to pry, unlike Mom, who would’ve already made me a cup of hot chocolate in an effort to bribe it out of me.
It's a different sort of existence, but in many ways, Maggie gives me the comfort I need without knowing it. Perhaps she’s teaching me how to be independent and strong. Maybe she doesn’t know how to be any other way. I don't know, but it's working so far anyway.
“No new notes?” she asks.
“No,” I hesitate, looking up at her through my lashes. “Well, I’ve gotten a few texts, but I don't know if it's him or not.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demands, holding out her hand for my phone.
Shamefaced, I hand it over, explaining, “I don't know. Because I just want this to be over. Besides, I’m sure whoever sent it from a phone that can't be traced, meaning there will be nothing the cops can do.” I end my sentence with a sarcastic lilt, which she doesn’t appreciate if her stern look is anything to go by.
Scrolling through the messages, she frowns and looks up at me. “Fuck you? Kid, I don’t think it’s a good idea to enrage the weirdo. We don’t know what we’re dealing with here. You’re safe with the alarm, but what about at school? Maybe Colt can keep an eye out?”
Snorting, I slap my hands over my mouth and then laugh and laugh until tears stream from my eyes. Apparently, I haven’t spent enough time processing my pain because my reaction is nothing short of hysterical.
Maggie looks at me like I`ve lost my mind, and maybe I have because the laughter just won't end.
“Okay, okay, what’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” I gasp, “it's just, Colt’s been my enemy since day one. He hates me. I don't know why, but with the way he’s acted recently, I don't think he’d be up for the job.”
She cocks her head to the side, eyeing me for a moment before saying, “Colt’s had his issues, I’ll bet. It can’t be easy living his life.”
Frowning, I mutter, “It doesn't excuse his behavior.”
She nods, contemplative, “Kid, I shouldn't be telling you this, but...Colt's home life is different.”
Snorting, I intervene before she can stumble any further, “If you’re trying to tell me his mom and dad are married even though his dad is married to someone else, you can save it.”
She raises a brow, “He told you that?”
“Not in so many words,” I mutter. “How is it that you know?”
“Well, Celia and I got drunk on apple wine once, and she spilled the beans.”
“Oh.”
“Anyway, he found out the hard way, a couple of years ago about his dad’s first wife. He’s been a bit out of control since.”
So, Colt didn’t know his whole life? I’m not sure which is worse, being lied to or knowing the entire time. He’s close to his mother, too - this must have torn him up but good. Still, I have to stay the course, he’s a dick, and I have to remember that.
“Out of control - how?” I ask curiously.
“Well, per Celia, he gets in fights at school, runs around with the bad kids. Refuses to have anything to do with his dad, not that I blame him,” she says with a sour expression.
“Yes, well, it doesn't excuse his behavior. He’s been really cruel to me, just, not nice, and I’d prefer to leave him out of this.”
She nods slowly, and the talk turns away from Colt, but I can't help my circling thoughts the rest of the day, wondering how he initially took the news. It must have been devastating to learn your entire life is a lie.
Somehow Buck must’ve known because I found the pictures of Buck and Celia together. Does this mean the first wife knows? And if so, did Colt meet her? It would explain his violent reaction to the mention of her the other night.
*****
Later that day, I meet up with Teddy beaming when I see his cherubic face through the coffee shop window.
His pretty jade-colored eyes meet mine, so like his sister
