Whispers of Shadowed Hearts

Chapter 10

Summer Brooks

I could easily add Jordan Delaney to my list of people I hate.

Right under Riven Rothschild, maybe. Oh, no—Lydia comes right after him, but I'd happily give the third spot to Jordan.

I didn't hate too many people, but this trio had really worked hard for it. I was more than willing to give them what they wanted.

I felt like an idiot for not seeing which group Jordan belonged to. In hindsight, it was painfully obvious in so many ways.

Especially now, thinking about how powerful his family was and how he always tried to defend Riven, I had to admit I'd been a complete fool.

I hadn't realized they were working together, probably laughing behind my back, playing some game just to learn my secrets. In a few days, the whole school would know that I was just a useless orphan. And then I'd have to deal with that fake pity in everyone's eyes.

I deserved this for being so careless.

But finding out that Jordan and Riven were best friends was a real disappointment. I couldn't understand how someone as kind as Jordan could be friends with someone like Riven. How did the people in Riven's life even tolerate him? If I had to live with him, I'd be fighting with him every single day.

Then again, I probably never met the real Jordan. All that kindness and politeness was just an act. After everything that happened, I didn't want to continue my shift at the bookstore with him. So, I called Cassandra this morning and asked her to switch my shift to the morning. She seemed a bit surprised but agreed.

I pulled my car into the parking lot of the bookstore. I had no patience left to face another member of the Goldens.

Now I understood why Alice had warned me to stay away from them. But it still didn't explain why I saw Jordan's car parked outside Alice's house that night.

Was Jordan the person Alice was referring to in the stories she told?

After finishing my shift, I left the bookstore before dark. I didn't want to run into him or have a confrontation.

Well, at least Riven got a taste of my frustration in the parking lot.

I pulled out my phone to check my messages. There were a few from Jordan:

Jordan: Summer

Jordan: It's not what you think.

Jordan: I didn't tell you that Riven was my best friend because I thought you'd hate me too.

Jordan: It wasn't a game.

Jordan: I really considered you a close friend.

Jordan: Please call me.

Then there were some from Alice:

Alice: GIRL, IS IT TRUE YOU SLAPPED JORDAN AND RIVEN IN THE PARKING LOT YESTERDAY??

Alice: When it's you, I can believe it.

Alice: But you wouldn't do it just like that.

Alice: What happened??

What didn't?

And finally, one from Amanda asking what I wanted for dinner. After replying to Amanda, I closed the messaging app and tossed my phone back into the car. I didn't want to ignore Alice's message but I was not in mood to explain how fool I was.