“First off, he’s not a toy. Shouting ‘mine’ doesn’t make it so. And I’ve had it with the insults. You want to be upset about this, fine. I can’t tell you how to feel, but I can tell you to watch your mouth. You don’t get to make me feel like shit anymore.”

Sam’s eyes narrow to slits. “If the truth hurts, Dee, that’s on you.”

At my side, Macon makes an aggravated movement like he’s going to say something. I touch his wrist, and he stills, holding his tongue.

“It’s not just sex. It’s serious.”

She snorts. “Which only makes it worse. I’ve told you time and again not to believe a word he says. He’s an actor.” Finally, she looks at Macon. “And you. What bullshit are you filling her head with?”

Macon cocks his head, his brows lifting high. “Bullshit? What the hell?”

“Sam,” I cut in. “You’re totally out of line here.”

“See? He’s trying to turn you against me,” Sam says with an air of hysteria.

I swear Macon is going to burst out of his skin. My hand finds his and holds on.

“Macon’s right. We aren’t kids anymore. We’ve made our peace and moved on. Perhaps you should too. The only anger he’s displayed toward you is entirely justifiable.”

She makes a stubborn face and won’t meet my gaze.

“Now you show up with this self-righteous territorial act when you should be offering up apologies. To me as well.”

At this Sam straightens. “I knew it. What’s he been saying? I suppose he told you about prom—”

“Sam,” Macon snaps, so fast and angry that I jump.

He’s gone pale, his jaw bunching.

Sam ignores him. “He did, didn’t he?”

“Prom?” I parrot, my gaze darting between them.

“Sam.” Macon takes a step in her direction. “I mean it. Shut. Up.”

“That’s how he got you to forgive him, isn’t it?” She laughs, short and unhinged. “He told you.”

“Sam!” Macon’s voice carries a hint of desperation.

I hold up a hand. “No, let her talk.”

She’s tearing up again; Sam always did cry quickly. “Okay, fine. I did it. I thought it would be funny. It was just a stupid joke, a mistake. But he”—she points at Macon—“promised he’d never tell. He lied.”

A joke? And then it hits me. The prom. Tater tots in trays. The mocking laughter. Sam staring at me as though she’d seen a ghost. And Macon standing there looking furious, looking horrified. I thought it was guilt. I called him worthless.

It was the final straw in our crumbling relationship and cemented the hate I felt for him.

A joke.