Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2) by Natalie Decker Read Free Book Online Page B

though. There’s no need to filter photos since all my friends from my old school defriended me. So imagine my surprise when I find over two hundred friend requests and a crap-ton of messages in my inbox.
    Starting with the messages, I begin to read. “Damn girl, knew you had it in you! Call me.” Simone . She’s on my old softball team.
    “We took you in Skank, and this is how you repay us? You better never show your face around here ever again! If you do, we won’t be showing you any mercy, Bulldog!” That’s from Amber . Great! Well, no worries there, because the school feels me leaving is best for everyone. Obviously, they’re right with threats like these.
    I read and read and the messages seem to be the same, people congratulating me or threatening to put me in a body bag. But it’s the last five messages that really stand out. The first is from Kayla.
    “We miss you. We’re so miserable without you, but I hope NYC is treating you well. I hope you never forget about me, or Lance, or even Caleb. I’m sure you won’t, but in any case I want to remind you not to. The person responsible will be found, and hopefully it’s sooner rather than later. That way you might be able to come back to us. Keep in touch. Hugs, Kayla”
    I sniffle a little at her message. She’s such a great person and friend. God, I miss her. The next one’s from Lance. “Hey tutor. I’m sucking again at History. My parents are going to ground me if I don’t raise my grade to a B like it was when you were here. I tried to tell them my tutor is gone, but they tell me that’s just an excuse to be lazy. So, I’m blaming you for this. You made me too smart. Thanks though. For everything. Kayla included. I know that was your doing, and I’m glad. Call us sometime. Stop ignoring Caleb, he’s all nuts without you.”
    A message from Caleb is underneath Lance’s. “Hi. I hate Facebook. That’s another secret about me. I don’t see the need for everyone to know everything I’m doing. You haven’t been answering your phone, which is understandable, but I miss hearing your voice. I hate the silence in the house. I really hate hearing your mom laugh because it’s the same as yours, and I want you here, but you’re not here. I know this probably filled with grammar mistakes which you will point out because you’re so freaking smart like that. Sky, I’m lost. I’m not sure where we go from here. You won’t talk to me. And it’s killing me babe. I know this is hard, but I want to work on this. I want to do this whole long distance thing, because it’ll be worth it if I still get to have you. Talk to me sometime, okay? Love, Caleb.”
    Oh my God! I feel like the biggest ass on the planet. When I had the phone conversation with Caleb a few days ago, he probably thought I’d read this, but I hadn’t. He really wanted to try the long-distance thing. I wonder if he still does? Is that why he’s here—to convince me?
    My heart flutters at the thought, and my cheeks warm as a smile creeps onto my face. Maybe I can do this.
    Next, I read a message from Sam: “I’ve been an a-hole of a friend. I’m probably the last person you want to talk to right now, but Sky we didn’t fuck up that stupid pool! Stop dragging me and Mikia through your shit!”
    What the hell is she talking about? I’ve no clue but frankly, at this point, I don’t care. They ditched me, not the other way around.
    I read the last message, which is from Kayla: “Hey! They found some new evidence. Call me! Also tell Caleb hi! And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do okay, or do, because seriously you guys belong together. But for real call me!”
    I snatch up the phone right as Caleb enters my room fluffing his hair with a towel. Our eyes lock and he asks, “What’s wrong?”
    “I’ve got to call Kayla and then you and I need to talk.”
    He looks over my shoulder and swallows. “Uh, look, about that. I just … ”
    “Hey, quit.” I step closer and plant my