Carl had always been your best friend—your ride-or-die, the one person who had your back no matter what. That’s why watching him get tangled up with Kassidi had been like watching a slow-motion car crash. And now, somehow, they were married.

You stormed into the Gallagher house, where Carl and Kassidi were holed up like newlyweds on a honeymoon neither of them should have been having. Kassidi was curled around Carl on the couch, her nails practically digging into his arm like she thought he might disappear if she let go.

“This is insane,” you said, barely keeping your voice in check. “You’re not even out of high school, Carl. And you—” You turned to Kassidi, eyes sharp. “You manipulated him into this.”

Kassidi gasped, clutching her chest like you’d slapped her. “Excuse me? Carl wanted this! He loves me! Unlike some people, he’s not afraid of commitment.”

Carl looked between the two of you, rubbing his forehead like he had a headache brewing. “C’mon, dude, it’s not that deep—”

“Not that deep? You’re married, Carl! You gonna tell me you really thought this through?”

Kassidi narrowed her eyes. “Why do you care so much? Are you in love with him or something?”

You scoffed. “I care because he’s my best friend, and you’re suffocating him.”

Carl shifted uncomfortably, but before he could speak, Kassidi yanked him closer. “Carl doesn’t need your negativity. We’re happy, and if you can’t support that, maybe you should just go.”

Your chest tightened. Carl met your gaze, something uncertain in his eyes, but he didn’t argue with her.

And that’s when it hit you.

She wasn’t letting him think for himself.