Molly hated her, and she hated herself too. Phoenix had left shortly after the ordeal with Molly. Catherine hadn’t said much to him, and she hadn’t really texted him back either. She wanted to. In all honesty, she couldn’t help the way she felt about Phoenix, nor could he help what he felt for her. It wasn’t like she did it to be malicious. She tried to fight it. She knew that Molly wanted her to set them up, and she looked like a backstabbing bitch, but she couldn’t help the way things happened. It was beyond her control—neither of them had any power over the chemistry between them and the bond they shared. Catherine was the only person the curse didn’t affect, and even though she didn’t understand why she was the chosen one, she was grateful. And so was he. Until she came along, the only person he could really talk to was Demi, his manager. Sure his relationship with Catherine was pretty complicated given that he had sold his soul to the devil and was half demon now, but at least he knew he could be himself around her. He knew he could talk to her. And he knew she didn’t adore him because of the curse. She wasn’t some fan girl. It was real. Their love, their connection, was real.
As Molly packed her bags to move out of their formerly shared apartment, Catherine wanted to tell her the truth—she wanted to explain. But she couldn’t. Even if it didn’t sound completely nuts—that Phoenix had sold his soul to the devil—even on the off chance Molly believed her and it didn’t endanger them, there was no way Catherine could betray Phoenix’s trust like that. She couldn’t hurt him like that. There was no way. No way at all.
Catherine refused, even if the price for Phoenix’s loyalty and to keep everyone safe meant losing her best friend.
“I just can’t believe you’d do that!” Molly said, packing with a force that showed her frustration. “I get sleeping with him—you’d be crazy not to—but shit, a relationship with him? You didn’t even like him! You don’t even like his music! You don’t deserve him! I’ve loved him for years before you did! Years!”
Catherine wanted to explain to her that her love was an illusion, the side effect of some curse, but she couldn’t. “Molly, I didn’t do it to betray you—I didn’t even plan it—”
“It’s one thing to go behind my back like this for a guy, even a famous and gorgeous guy like Phoenix, but you lied, Catherine! You didn’t even tell me the truth! You kept it from me! And I find out when I come to our apartment and you’re dry humping him on our couch?!”
“I was going to tell you,” Catherine said. And that was the truth. “I just—I was scared. I didn’t know how you’d react and we’re being lowkey because of the media…”
“Right, the media,” Molly rolled her eyes, “lord forbid they find out the woman who trashed him on national radio was sucking his dick!”
Catherine’s face felt hot. “I’m not—it’s not like that! I didn’t trash him, I just asked a question, and I’m not… I know this is hard for you to understand but we aren’t just fucking or sucking or whatever you want to say…or think, or whatever makes you feel better. We are in love, I love him. He loves me.”
“Psh. You’re just his latest hussy!” Molly screamed. “He’ll always love Hannah. You’re just a hole he fucks!”
Catherine didn’t realize she’d slapped Molly until it was too late. It wasn’t hard, but she’d smacked her across the cheek, and Molly’s head had swung in the direction of the strike. Shock covered Molly’s face and reflected on Catherine’s own. “Oh God!” Catherine said, bringing her hand to her lips. It stung from where it had landed on Molly’s skin. “I’m so sorry, Molly! So sorry! I didn’t—”
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“Forget it!” Molly snapped. “I know where your loyalties lie. I hope his dick is worth it!”
Catherine’s eyes filled with tears as Molly stormed from the room, toward the exit, and slammed the door shut behind her. She still had stuff here, a lot of stuff, but the text message that vibrated in Catherine’s pocket soon confirmed what she feared.
Molly: I’ll be back to get my stuff when you’re not there! Some friend you are. I can’t believe you.
Catherine: I’m sorry! I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never hit anyone before. I just, well, I lost it I guess. I’m sorry. For everything. Even though what you said wasn’t nice, it’s never okay to hit anyone.
Molly: It’s never okay to fuck your best friend’s soul mate either—even if they are a celebrity. I mean it’s even worse that you gave me hope! You helped me! I thought you’d wingman me, but you were just sliding into his DMs yourself! Ps, you slap like my grandma so don’t even worry about that. lmfao.
Catherine: You don’t need to bring Grandma May into this…
Molly: You’re right, it disrespects her.
Catherine: I’m sorry I hurt you.
Molly: If you were really sorry you’d end it with him and choose OUR FRIENDSHIP above some dick. So are you going to do that? Will you end it with him?
Catherine stared at the message, unsure of what to say or how to respond. She loved Phoenix. She loved him more than she’d ever loved any man. It wasn’t about fame or anything for her. It was him, who he was, and how they seemed to be bound together. They shared chemistry. Even though they hadn’t known each other all that long, it was like she knew him—knew his soul, as ironic as that sounded considering he’d sold it. Catherine wanted to explain everything to Molly. She longed to tell her the truth and talk to her properly. She wanted Molly to understand, but she also knew her better than that. Molly was a stubborn person at the best of times. There was no way she’d fold on this. She’d given Catherine an ultimatum—her or him.
Catherine thought back to her relationship with Molly. As rough and mean as Molly could be sometimes, she could also be soft and caring. Catherine remembered when she really wanted this designer sweater but was too poor to afford it. Molly took on extra work over the summer and bought it for her as a gift for Christmas. She also always defended Catherine and stood by her, right from the day they met. Catherine remembered it like it was yesterday. They were in kindergarten and this boy kept pushing her over. One day she fell into the mud and dirtied her dress. She started crying because her grandma had made it for her and had later passed away. Then the boy laughed and teased her because she didn’t have a grandma like he did, so Molly stormed up and pushed him in the mud. She then started a rumor that he pooped his pants, and he went on the next five years being called Stinky Steven. Molly had been there through every breakup and accomplishment, when Catherine’s parents got divorced, and when she broke her arm falling from a tree. It was always Catherine and Molly. Always.
Catherine didn’t want a man to come between them, even if he was the love of her life.
“Okay,” Catherine texted back, “I’ll do it. I’ll end it with him.”