Chapter 42
“At least I have a job and a house, Brook,” I reply evenly. “Remind me again what you have p>
Her smile snaps off her lips and her face turns a nice shade of ugly… And there she is. The real Brook.
That’s more like it. This is the Brook I know. The one who’d smile at you while she twisted the knife in your back. The viper that hides among sheep, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
Sure, Chloe was a manipulative, jealous bitch, but compared to Brook? Chloe was an amateur. Brook is the real villain; always has been.
“What do you want, Brook?” I ask, though I already have a pretty good idea.
She blinks innocently. “Can’t I come say hi to my sister’s friend? “Oh wait,” her lips curl, “Ex–best friend p>
I cross my arms. “Cut the crap and tell me why you’re really here p>
Dealing with her was always exhausting. I honestly don’t know how I put up with her for all those years. Same goes for Noah.
It’s my fault really; I should have walked away from the toxicity a long time ago instead of clinging to hope and putting up with them.
She pouts like a child. “What? You don’t want to hear the truth p>
I sigh, already exhausted. “What truth p>
Honestly at this point I just want her to leave so I can feed my cat, eat something and take a nap. I don’t have the energy to deal with her.
“That you were Chloe’s ex–best friend, and let’s not forget how shamelessly you were thirsting after her man the entire time.” Her eyes glitter as she throws the words at me like daggers.
Technically speaking, we weren’t best friends, but that’s a story for another day.
I roll my eyes. “Haven’t we been here before? Haven’t we had this conversation a thousand times? You need to grow up, Brook. We’re not in high school anymore p>
Her smile falters. “I’m just stating facts p>
“What facts?” I shoot back, my arms still folded. “You’ve been recycling the same tired accusations since we were fifteen. Don’t you ever get bored p>
How many times have I been accused of this? How many times has she weaponized the same truth and twisted it into something dirty?
Yes, I loved Noah. I won’t deny it. Back when we were younger, he was everything I wanted. But once he chose Chloe, I stepped back. It fucking hurt, I’ll admit that and my love didn’t die, but I buried it deep and I stopped chasing him. Chloe was my friend, and I would never cross that line. I didn’t want to hurt her, so once they got together, I stopped hoping that he would finally see me.
“You’re just bitter Noah never chose you,” she spits, venom dripping from every word. “Jealous that no matter what you did, Noah picked Chloe p>
Was I bitter? Never. Was I jealous? Maybe once but mostly I was just hurt, but I found a way to bury my heartbreak so deep it didn’t cause me any pain.
I laugh and the sound shocks even me. “I moved on, Brook. Maybe you should do the same p>
I point to the door. “If that’s all you came to say, then get out. I don’t have the time or the energy to deal with your fucking drama p>
“Drama?” Her eyes narrow into slits. “You think I’m the one with drama? Please. I wouldn’t even be here if I had a choice p>
“Then why are you here, Brook p>
Her chest rises and falls, her expression darkening. Then she leans forward, eyes flashing with the same malice Chloe used to hide so well.
“I want you to stay away from Noah.” 1