Not Shouting

Sammi POV

Zade’s speech still lingers in my mind, playing over and over, each word settling deeper into my thoughts. I was so ready—no, I am so ready—to confront Willow and Joel. The urge is burning in my chest, the questions sitting at the back of my throat. Willow is my best friend—besides Grayson, of course—but that doesn’t mean she gets to keep secrets from me, not like this. My eyes follow them across the room as everyone mingles, laughing and dancing. Joel and Willow are standing close but with this awkward distance between them, both trying so hard to hide the obvious.

They’ve been caught. I know it. They know it. And yet, they’re still pretending like it’s nothing.

Before I can move to them, Zade’s voice pulls me back. “Don’t do it, Sammi.” He’s standing next to me, his voice low enough that no one else can hear. I turn to face him, my brows knitting together in frustration.

“What do you mean ‘don’t do it’?” I ask, confused. Zade looks at me with that big-brother gaze, the one