Read Online Comeback by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online

mine was forced, and I had a feeling Khloe’s was as
     well.
    â€œNah,” Khloe said. “Who wants to waste weekend minutes?
     We’ve all got stuff at the stable to do, and I’m excited about trail
     riding.”
    â€œMe too,” I said.
    Clare looked at her nightstand again. “Geez, my phone’s
     blinking like crazy.” She started to reach for it.
    â€œClare,” I said. “Wait a sec. I need to tell you
     something.”
    Slowly, Clare pulled back her hand.
     “Okaaay.” She looked at Khloe. “Something happened. What?”
    That made Lexa sit up.
    I sat next to Khloe on the coffee table, facing Clare.
    â€œI messed up last night,” I said. “I was awake after you
     guys fell asleep. I wrote Drew back that we all wanted to trail ride with
     him.”
    Clare shook her head. “Not seeing how you messed up.”
    â€œThen I got on Chatter.” I took a big breath. Please don’t let Clare freak out, I thought. “I
     wrote about what an awesome time I was having last night. Sleeping over here with you, Khloe, and Lex.”
    Clare sat up straighter. “You said you guys were sleeping
     here?” She played with the strap on her eye mask. “I didn’t tell
     Riley.”
    â€œI know,” I said. “Clare, I’m so, so sorry. This
     morning, Khloe saw what I’d done and we were going to erase my message, but
     it’s too late. Riley saw it already, and she sent nasty messages to each of us.
     It’s all my fault. I promise that I’ll do anything you want to smooth things
     over between you and Riley.”
    Clare shook her head and reached for her phone. I watched as she stared at
     the screen for what felt like forever. She typed something, then put down the phone.Then she looked back at me, her expression blank. It was official:
     Clare was mad at me. I couldn’t blame her. I never should have sent the
     message.
    â€œClare,” Khloe said, “we’re going to help with
     Riley. I know you’re upset, but please try to remember that this is your room too. You don’t need anyone’s permission to
     have friends over.”
    Clare nodded. “I know. I BBMed Riley and told her that I’d
     wanted you all to stay over. I told her I would have asked if she’d been here, but
     she wasn’t.” She looked at me. “Please don’t feel like you did
     something wrong. You didn’t. I’m sorry that all you guys got messages from
     Riley.”
    â€œWait, wait,” Lexa said. “You’re serious? You
     basically told Riley to get over it? No offense, but I thought you’d be freaking
     out. You kind of . . .”
    Lexa let her sentence go without finishing.
    Clare pulled back her covers and walked to the floor, then sat down by all
     of us. She smoothed her oversize red I ♥ BOYS T-shirt, which she’d paired with black leggings. “I kind of always bow down
     to Riley. Or do whatever she says. It’s okay, Lexa. I know that.”
    â€œWhat made you write her something like that now ?” Khloe asked. “Clare, she’s one of your best
     friends.”
    â€œExactly. And a ‘best friend’ shouldn’t act like
     that.It’s one thing if Riley wants to freak out at me, but
     I’m not letting her do that to all of you.” Clare looked down. “And
     Khloe, I’m so sorry. I let Riley get away with a lot of things that she’s
     said and done to you. I’m your best friend, and you deserve to have me act like
     one. I’m going to start doing a better job.”
    Khloe’s eyes got misty. She got up and leaned down to hug Clare.
     “Thanks, C. But I want you to keep your friendship with Riley, if you
     want.”
    They let go of each other, and Clare nodded. “I will. But some
     things have to change. She’s Riley Edwards. I don’t expect her to suddenly
     be sugary sweet to