Chapter Fifteen RHETT

I watch Willow leave with that simp prick Silas, my fingers tightening around my cup yet again. I feel the plastic give beneath my fingertips and I take a deep breath, telling myself to calm the fuck down. I suck down the rest of my beer and get rid of my cup, tossing it in a makeshift trashcan.

But it sucks, watching the girl I fully planned on flirting with all evening getting swept up in some bullshit drama. Doesn’t she realize Silas is just using her to make Alana jealous? After we all witnessed their little squabble, that’s what he has to be doing.

Willow is totally falling for it too.

Iris catches me staring. I can feel her watching me watch Willow as Silas leads her away, slipping into the shadows, and I’m half tempted to follow after them. Tell him to keep his hands off of her.

I do none of that though. I’m not about to become involved in their dramatic little love triangle.

“Does she like him?” The words leave me without thought, and for a second, I regret the question.

“It’s hard for her to cut off old feelings,” Iris answers.

I send her a questioning look. “What do you mean by that?”

A sigh leaves her. “Can I trust you with this kind of information, Rhett? Or are you going to blab it to everyone else?” The pointed look Iris aims at me nearly has me squirming where I stand. This girl can be hella intimidating when she wants to be.

But I remain still, shoving my hands in my pockets, dying to know what she’s about to tell me. “I don’t blab.”

“Why don’t you ask me that question, huh?” This comes from Brooks, who sounds hurt. Doesn’t he realize she ignores him on purpose? She knows it drives him crazy.

“I know I can trust you, Brooksie.” She pats him on the chest like he’s a good little boy and I swear to God, he smiles. “Come closer. Both of you.”

We take a couple of steps closer to her, both of us leaning our heads down since we’re taller than Iris. I don’t say a word. I swear I’m holding my breath, which is stupid. This isn’t a big deal. I don’t gossip much with girls because … I just don’t. But in this moment, I can feel the anticipation lingering in the air, and my stomach actually twists. Like I’m nervous.

Fucking weird.

“She had a giant crush on Silas the entirety of our sophomore year, but nothing happened. She goes to Italy, comes back, and for whatever reason, believes she still likes him. Despite learning that he’s with Alana now, and that Alana knew Willow had a thing for him. She went after him anyway.” Iris shakes her head. “But we all know this.”

I mean, I didn’t, but okay.

“I’ve been talking trash about Silas constantly, but I started to worry that maybe it was having the opposite effect on her,” Iris explains. “Maybe me constantly bagging on him was only making her want him more.”

“You really think so?” Brooks looks genuinely perplexed. But he’s an only child so that makes sense.

I have a sister and I know how their minds work—sometimes.

“I’m not sure, so I decided to use a different approach,” Iris continues. “After watching them fight, I told Willow this could be her chance to try and get Silas.”

Brooks makes a dismissive noise. “Bro, that sucks. Not like they’re broken up or anything.”

“Did you just call me bro?” Iris’s voice is sharp and whoa there. I can tell she didn’t like him saying that.

“Maybe. I didn’t mean to.” Brooks is scrambling, which Iris seems to enjoy.

“Anyway.” She focuses her attention on me. “Maybe this was her chance to see if they could become something after all, and what do you know, Silas appeared as if I conjured him up myself and now, they’re talking.”

“You really want them to be together?” After that convoluted explanation, I’m thinking Brooks is even more confused.

“No, I don’t. Like you said, Silas is still with Alana. If he really wanted Willow, don’t you think he’d go after her?”

“I don’t know.” I rub along the side of my jaw, contemplating the scenario. Hating that this girl that I actually like is talking to some slimeball who might want her.

“What do you not know?” Iris asks me.

“It’s risky. What if they talk, he realizes he’s madly in love with Willow and then he dumps Alana for her?” That is the absolute last thing I want, but how can I stop it?

In this moment, I can’t.

“I’m hoping Willow is smarter than that. She’ll see through what he’s saying.” Iris’s voice is firm, and she’s nodding, crossing her arms. “I have faith.”

I hope she’s right.