Sweet Like Revenge

11 - The Manila Conspiracy

The crowd in the stadium roared loudly, signaling the beginning of the second half.

"We have to go back before they get suspicious," Kat said as she rubbed the tears falling from her eyes, smudging what was left of her mascara in the process.

"It's okay," I reassured her. "They know where we are."

"But we should go back—"

"Kat," I tried again. "What does Poppy know?"

Kat stared at me for a second, but only shook her head hopelessly.

"I can't help you if you don't tell me—"

"You can't help period," she moaned. "No one can. You don't know Poppy like I do."

I bit down hard on my lip, swallowing back the words that sat right on the tip of my tongue. You have no idea.

"Try me," I tempted.

Kat's dilated eyes searched mine, and it was in that moment that I saw how deeply and how desperately she wanted — no, needed — to tell someone. And, even though my return to Irvine had nothing to do with making friends and everything to do with inflicting chaos, I couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for the weeping girl who had welcomed me so warmly. It didn't hurt that what was gnawing at Kat, whatever it was, could potentially be used as a wedge between Sienna, Poppy, and their minions...

"Okay girlfriend, sober up," Chontelle said as she rejoined us, water in hand.

Kat's eyes broke from mine instantly, and she groaned as Chontelle shoved an open bottle of water into her mouth like a mother feeding an infant. I couldn't help but clench my fists out of sheer frustration. I was sure that Kat was so close to letting me in.

"Sorry I snapped at you," Chontelle told Kat, oblivious to my irritation. "You know what Sienna's like on game nights. I was just worried..." she trailed off, then turned to me and rolled her eyes. "I don't know why I'm apologizing. She won't even remember any of this tomorrow."

She was right. In the state Kat was in, there was a good chance she wouldn't remember anything we said to her that night. Or anything that she let slip to us. It was even more reason why I needed to talk to her right then and right there. Alone.

"You should go back," I told Chontelle. "Go enjoy the rest of your night. I can hold down the fort."

"Babe, no," Chontelle said. "That's not fair. This is your first home game—"

"And there will be plenty more. Besides." I smiled coyly. "I saw how the other team's captain was looking at you."

Chontelle blushed but waved a hand dismissively. "Been there, done that."

"Twice," Kat said between gulps of water.

Chontelle put a hand to her chest, feigning shock, but she didn't deny it.

"Honestly," I urged. "There's no need for both of us to be here. Go! Have fun!"

Chontelle hesitated, but a loud cheer from the crowd piqued her interest. She hurriedly handed over the water she'd collected for Kat and began to strut away, blowing me a kiss over her shoulder. "I owe you one!"

Then, finally, she was gone.

"Can I ask you something?" Kat immediately questioned.

I whipped my head back to her, anticipation bubbling inside of me. At last, after all of my grafting, after all of the time and the energy I had spent on her, she was finally going to let me in.