Nodding my head, I looked past Noah at Grayson. Giving me a wink, I knew we would be able to help Noah. I still wasn’t sure how often and how much Noah had been taking the pills. A part of me didn’t want to know and that filled me with guilt.

Looking back into Noah’s eyes, I gave him a weak smile. “I’ll be by your side the entire time, Noah. We’ll fight this battle together.”

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Sitting at the kitchen island, Meagan let out a sigh as she sat next to me.

Glancing up from my book, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

Making a face of frustration, Meagan rolled her eyes. “I need to get laid so bad.”

Making a gruff laugh, I looked back at my book. “What’s it been, Meg? A week?”

“Fuck you, Grace. You’re riding the dick. I haven’t in months. Years to be exact.”

Dropping my book, I narrowed my eye at her as I studied her face. “I’m riding the dick? Really? So classy, Meg.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she let out a breath. “I dare you to deny it. Have you not noticed me being a complete bitch the last two and a half years?”

“First off, I won’t deny it, but I went for a good while not riding it and I was perfectly fine. And no, I haven’t noticed you being a complete bitch because that’s just who you are.”

Shooting me a dirty look, Meagan got up and walked to the refrigerator. “Please, you were miserable without Noah.”

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I couldn’t argue with her on that one. “Meg, did the bullying ever stop? I mean, is that why you never got involved with anyone from school?”

Meagan’s head was buried in the refrigerator as she looked around for something. She popped back out, and turned to face me as she held a bottle of orange juice. “For the longest time I let a small group of people dictate how I lived my life. It was miserable, Grace.” Leaning against the door of the refrigerator, Meagan gave me a weak smile.

My heart broke for Meagan. Closing my book, I slide it off to the side. “Did you ever talk to your dad about all of it? The intense pressure he put on you and what was happening at school?”

Lifting her eyebrows, Meagan pushed out a fast deep breath. “When I told them I was looking at moving to Durango my father about flipped out and said I couldn’t run from my problems, I needed to face them head on. He wasn’t too pleased when I mentioned he was part of the reason I was running. My mom, well, she understood. She’s always been the one who seemed to relate a bit more with me though.”

“Did you tell them about what happened in school?”

Sitting, Meagan’s eyes briefly filled with tears. “Yes. They were both devastated and I think a bit angry with themselves that I didn’t feel like I could talk to them about it. When I changed my degree plan though, my father really seemed to lighten up on the whole ‘You have to be greater than everyone’ bit. One thing’s for sure though,” Meagan said as she reached for an apple and took a bite. “They no longer compare me to Taylor.”

Laughing, I said, “Well, you had to go through a shit storm for that to happen.”

Meagan giggled and said, “But it’s over. I’m ready to move on with my life and help others.”

Tilting my head, I asked Meagan, “Whatever happened to the group of girls who used to spread all that shit about you?”

An evil smile spread across Meagan’s face. “You know, some crazy shit happened to each of them. The mastermind ended up having all her beautiful blonde locks fall out. Seems someone put something in her shampoo.”

Holding back my laughter, I shook my head and said, “You don’t say.”

Taking another bite of her apple, Meagan smiled bigger. “The other little bitch that fabricated the blowjob stories, someone spiked her toothpaste with black dye.”

Covering my mouth, I let out a laugh. “Holy hell. You didn’t?”

Letting out a laugh, Meagan nodded her head. “Oh, that was just the beginning. There was a reason we grew up with Will, Luke, and Colt and all the stupid ass pranks they pulled on us. I must say though, Luke driving in and being my accomplice was probably the nicest thing that bastard as ever done for me.”

My mouth dropped open as my eyes grew wider. “He didn’t? Did Libby know?”

“Yep. He did and yep, she supplied the dye,” Meagan said as she popped her p loudly.

Meagan and I busted out laughing as Grayson walked into the kitchen. I couldn’t help but notice how he stared at Meagan.

Turning to look at him, Meagan attempted not to be affected by the fact that Grayson was shirtless and just coming back from a run.

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