Strawberry. [J.J]

26.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
"I'm selfish."

"Hey," Marley said as she fell into step with Veronica, Kevin and Betty.

"Hey, Marls. I was just telling Betty and Veronica about how my dad's been acting weird. How he heads out in the middle of the night and doesn't return until the early hours of the morning," Kevin said and Marley looked at Betty and Veronica before putting a comforting hand on Kevin's shoulder.

"He's just stressed, Kev. He is trying to protect us all from this psychopath," Marley said trying to reason and Kevin nodded.

"Anyway, guys. I've gotta go, can't be late to my lesson. I'll see you around," Kevin said before walking away the the girls began to walk to the Blue and Gold.

"Reggie just slammed a boy into a locker because he was talking shit about me. When I asked why he said that's he wouldn't do it for anyone else," Marley said her eyebrows furrowed in deep thought and Veronica dipped from her to-go cup.

"Reggie has a grade A crush on you, Marls. Ever since you punched him in the face after he came for Jughead," Veronica said and Betty nodded in agreement.

"She's right, Marls. I'm surprised you haven't noticed yet," Betty said and Veronica nodded before continuing.

"You could ask Reggie for a kidney and he will probably steal one along with someone's liver and lung," Veronica said and Marley frowned and Betty sighed.

"But Jughead, Jughead would give you his heart and probably his own kidney and both his lungs," Betty said and Marley pushed a curl out of her face before turning to look at Betty.

"I wasn't comparing the two. There's no way I'd choose Reggie over Jughead. Jughead is the love of my life," Marley said as she walked into the Blue and Gold and Betty and Veronica both smiled at the statement.

"Poor Kevin. He's like a character in a lost Tennessee Williams play," Veronica said once she sat down and Marley and Betty both sat down at the table too.

"Guys, I have a theory about Sheriff Keller," Betty said and Veronica and Marley both nodded in agreement.

"Oh me too, it's obvious," Veronica said while crossing her arms over her chest and Marley nodded.

"It's as clear as day," Marley added and Betty quickly looked at them.

"He's The Black Hood."/ "He's having an affair"/ "He is retiring," the girls said simultaneously and they all looked at each other in confusion.

"What? Is that a joke?" Veronica asked mostly directing her question at Betty but Marley shrugged before answering.

"I don't blame him. If I was him I would retire too," Marley said and Veronica shook her head before looking back at Betty.

"Tell me you're joking, Betty," Veronica said and Betty shook her head before looking at her friends.

"I wish I was," Betty said and Veronica shook her head.

"Whatever crazy web you are spinning, B, let me break it down for you. Sheriff Keller's wife is a way, he is failing at his job, he is sneaking around looking for comfort all signs point to cheating. Right, Marls?" Veronica said and Marley nodded in agreement.

"Cheating or Retiring. Besides we all know that the Black Hood is Liam, my mom's fiancé," Marley said while popping her gum and Betty sighed before looking at her.

"Marls. If you get a me lead, some stone cold evidence I will publish it in the Blue and Gold. Show me the evidence and I will not think twice about exposing him," Betty said and Marley nodded.