“Yeah, I have a friend who works in marketing with them. I sent some over.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Thought I’d let Maddox Paige know there were no hard feelings.”
Her eyes widen in horror.
“Wait . . . did you send them to the Rebels or did you send them to Maddox Paige?”
I shrug. “Does it matter?”
“Yes.” She nods. “Yes, it does matter.”
“Okay, I sent them to Maddox. Told him Coraline Turner was my wife, and even though you guys dated, there are no hard feelings.”
Her eyes widen even more in horror and, I’m so fucking pleased with myself that I actually feel joy surge through me like it’s a drug.
“Why . . . why would you do that? Oh my God, Pike.”
“Does it matter? Seems like you guys have a close, understanding bond. Just thought I’d tell him we’re cool, you know? Told him the invitation is always open for a dinner date.”
“You didn’t.”
I nod. “I did.”
She switches off the griddle and places her hands at her temples, rubbing them. “What on earth would possess you to do such a thing? You wrote my name? Like you actually said Coraline Turner?”
“Yeah. Figured he’d need to know whose husband was sending him donuts.”
Fury rages through her, her shoulders tense, and before I know exactly what’s going to happen next, she steps up to me and pokes me in the leg, hard. “Ow, that hurt.” I rub my leg, still holding the ice up to my slapped face. Brutal night.
She growls, throws her arms up in the air, and then says, “Pike, you can’t just go sending donuts to people, donuts that—oh my God . . .” Her eyes move back and forth as her brain starts to process what’s going on.
Fun fact—I know Coraline works at Frankie Donuts.
I also am quite aware that she’s good friends with Gunner and Romeo, teachers at our school. Teachers who used to be professional baseball players. Teachers who are friends with people like Maddox Paige and Jason Orson and Knox Gentry.
I also was informed by Keiko today that, this past summer, Arlo had a large party at his house during the All-Star break. Said baseball players were there, and Cora made a fool of herself in front of Maddox Paige.
Furthermore, I know that said baseball players all know Cora works at Frankie Donuts and that she hooks them up by sending boxes to the stadium, another fact that Keiko was very upset about. They get free donuts, but she’s “with child” and gets nothing.
Therefore, I’m swimming in absolute joy from the look of mortification on her face.
Did I send donuts?
No.
I don’t know anyone in marketing there.
I had no intentions of sending anything.
But if one of us can lie in this marriage, both of us can. Only problem is, she doesn’t know that I know she’s lying, whereas I know everything that comes out of her mouth is a bold-faced, constructed lie.
Coraline Turner has met her match.
“Something wrong, darling?” I ask in a sweet tone.
I see the connections she’s making in her head.
The mortification running through her eyes.
It’s bloody brilliant on my end. Positively comical.
They’re going to think she’s lost her fucking mind.
And that’s what’s absolutely making my day.
She’s playing with fire when it comes to fucking around with me.
“I, uh . . . I need to make a phone call.”
She snags her mobile from the counter and runs off to the bathroom, slamming the door. She turns on the shower, probably to drown out her voice.
Chuckling, I hop off the counter and shake the ice into the sink before reaching for a plate and placing some pancakes on them. Luckily for me, she must be tired of eating gross dinners, and she’s giving us both a break. I douse the pancakes in syrup and take them to the table where I dig in—well, carefully dig in. I take a small mouthful and let the flavor sit on my tongue for a second, and when everything seems normal, I continue to eat them.
They look normal, but with my luck, she’d have put sardine extract in them.
While I eat, I scroll through the news on my mobile, listening to Cora’s hushed tones on the other side of the bathroom door.
After a few minutes, the door opens and a composed Cora walks out.
“Everything okay in there?”
“Yes, everything is fine.” Her chin rises to the sky. “Everything is quite all right.”
There’s an air about her that screams trouble. Like she’s planning something, seeking revenge. Little does she know, I have three obnoxious siblings, so I can take anything that comes my way. And I mean anything.