Page 70 of Novice Girlfriend

“That’s smart,” Tracey muttered. “No one plans a function like Bernice Shaw, and I will enjoy her having to swallow her bigotry having to help the underprivileged students as well. It’s better than paying our people to deal with top-tier families who will immediately try to take over or harass them. Council families vs top-tier with us in the middle.”

“She should do at least this much for you,” I told Jean. “The money benefited her as well and she let it all happen.” I gave her time to think. “You can set up some sort of payment plan for hourly or—”

“Bevin, I adore you, but I don’t know I get paid enough to deal with Bernice Shaw,” Jasmine said, sounding exhausted.

“Marilyn will in a heartbeat,” Mrs. Reid said, sharing a look with her mate, both of them looking like they were having a hard time not laughing. “Please, let Marilyn Oliveria handle it. It will be the best gift ever.”

“I will speak with Grandmother and send everything over,” Jean said. “We can speak when we both have had time with it.” She waited until I nodded. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’m also glad Jason is now… Impotent. I promise I won’t push that button for people to find out unless it’s the only option.”

I nodded, believing her, but others seemed worried. “I’ll let you know if we need to as well.”

“I appreciate it. Please keep me informed.” She turned to leave, having to circle away from the guard station like other guests.

Clare offered to take her home and speak with Bernice since she was involved in all of it. Maybe film the library while there. I asked if she was okay and she stared around at everyone and swallowed loudly.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I promised you…”

She came over and hugged me. “You promised me choices and freedom. You gave me that. You would let me walk away if I wanted to and live quietly. I have no regrets. You’re not judging me for stepping out of this when I need a breather. I’m sorry, I’m just not built like you are.”

“You were awesome today,” I told her and hugged her tightly. “Don’t be sorry for having self-preservation. I’m broken.” I ignored when people gasped, giving Clare a sad smile when she leaned away.

“You’re not,” she rasped, giving me a shake.

“I am,” I told her, finally admitting something I’d known for a long time. “I’ve never feared death. It doesn’t matter to me.” I shrugged even if she was holding onto my arms. “When you’re seven and your parents are trying to kill you—you’re fighting to live for so long, and it all becomes…”

“It stops becoming scary and just feels inevitable?” Winter’s best friend, Danny, asked.

I thought about that a moment. “Maybe. I don’t know, but while I get scared and break, I’m never afraid of actually dying. I haven’t been since Grandpa died. It hurt he was gone. He didn’t feel anything bad leaving.”

Pain flared in my cheek before I even realized what happened. Shock hit me so hard that I couldn’t like put together what had happened.

Until Winter’s other friend, Wes, who had feelings for Clare—and it was mutual—pulled her away from me… And her hand was raised.

She’d slapped me.

She’d slapped me.

I simply blinked at her.

“Thanks, so we can repair our relationship just to destroy me because you don’t care if you live or die?” Clare choked out. She pulled against Wes. “No, I’m patient with her and I understand a lot better, but that’s—I’m not being quiet this time. That’s—she basically just said she doesn’t care if we suffer if she dies.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” I whispered, everyone staring at me in ways I didn’t like. I lowered my head. “That wasn’t what I meant.” I turned and walked away, not even sure where I was going.

Danny fell in step with me. “Can I take you to him so you can fill him in? He’s probably losing his mind.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” I rasped.

He was quiet but then stopped walking. “I know. She’s not wrong in what she heard because she’s broken too. You both have suffered a lot. We all have.” He let out a heavy breath. “Winter would have heard the same because of who he’s lost. None of this is easy, but I get you. That’s not what you said.”

“Thank you.” I thanked him again when he brought me to Winter, glad he wasn’t on a call and I could walk right into his arms.

I was actually glad that Danny stayed and filled in some of the gaps for both of us.

“Can he stay and help mediate for us?” Winter asked quietly. “He’s already figured out what you are and feels the same that Link wants you.”

“I don’t think Link realizes it, but I feel like the gods keep pushing you both so he’ll end up being one of the points of your star, and I told Winter that to help him settle with the possibility and probably set off a lot of this jealousy,” Danny admitted.

I slowly nodded, Danny and all of them had signed the right paperwork. Most of them knew I was a goddess witch. I think I knew that but appreciated they always reminded me.