We went from an innocent and quick grab of property to breaking and entering. Oh God. Is that a felony? Shit, shit.
More anxiety vomit bubbles in my gut. At the very least, it’s a misdemeanor and will probably go on my permanent record. My sparkling clean record with perfect grades, volunteered community service, being a Big Sister for one semester, and donating to the ASPCA every year.
Man, it will not go over well if the cops show up and call my parents. I’m over eighteen, though, so they wouldn’t, right? I am not well-versed in the law, unless it’s business law. I know taxes, tariffs, and how to make a sales pitch. I don’t know the legalities of the crime we’re about to commit, and I don’t like not knowing things!
Oh God. I suck in a choppy breath, panic gripping my chest.
Ellie’s hand lands on my leg. “Breathe, it’s going to be fine.”
Easy for her to say. An arrest on her record would just be cool. Even her mugshot would be sexy.
The car crawls to a stop, and the girls practically jump out before he’s in park. I stumble out behind them, my legs wobbling like a bowl of Jell-O.
“His car is gone,” Pacey says, and I swear there’s relief in her tone. She rushes to the flower pot on the porch that houses a crispy-looking…something. Whatever it was looks like it died years ago. She pulls out a key, and Ellie pouts.
“I was hoping we had to break in.”
Pacey laughs, and I glance around for a bush to hurl in, but the door opens. Ellie yanks me inside. The first thing I notice is the smell. It’s musty, like someone’s been chain-smoking cigarettes and hasn’t opened a window in their life. Garbage isspilling out of the trash can in the kitchen into the living room. Beer bottles and pizza boxes litter the countertops and table.
“I think he’s handling the breakup well,” Ellie says sarcastically.
“No, this is the way he’s always lived. But the maid is gone now, and he hasn’t got the memo that shit doesn’t clean itself,” Pacey says, her tone dripping with disgust.
“You had a maid?” Ellie asks, and I elbow her. “Oh, sorry.Youwere the maid.”
I shake my head, and Ellie winces.
“Okay, where’s your stuff? We should hurry,” I say. My phone vibrates again, and I slide it out as Pacey leads us down the hall.
Penn:
You pass out on me Barbie? You didn’t even tell me good night =(
Ugh, he’s so cute when he’s being cute.
Olivia:
no, not asleep yet justhavingfun!
I type quickly, but even my damn fingers are shaking.
Penn:
Can I call you? I wanna see your pretty face while you’re all fucked up.
I giggle, and Ellie spins around. “Quit texting Penn! We have a job to do.”
“You’re texting my brother?” Pacey halts at the door of what I assume used to be her bedroom. Her eyes are wide as saucers.
“No! I mean, yes, but I didn’t tell him anything, I swear.”
She lets out a relieved breath. “Okay, I’m going to grabsome clothes. Will you guys search the spare room for vinyl records? They were my dad’s.”
“You got it,” Ellie says, grabbing my wrist and dragging me across the hall. “Okay, vinyl records make her that much cooler.”
I nod absentmindedly, thinking of a response to send Penn so he doesn’t call. If he hears my voice, he will one hundred percent know I’m lying.
“Ew, porn mags, what a perv.”
