Scarlett inches back in surprise. “I’m not the one who brought up Jet. You are.” She gives a little wink.
“How about you, Cass?” I refuse to give that tat-rat another ounce of energy. “You get anything with Cade?”
“Nope. But he’s promised to help me with a few of my business classes. He’s the greatest tutor ever. Those study sessions at his place really do end with a bang.” She pulls her straw from her drink and flicks me in the face with the remnants of her iced mocha. “As for you—don’t go banging up your new roomie, hon. You’re too emotionally raw. That boy might be offering rides for less than a quarter, but your heart is worth a million times more. Resist temptation, my sister. Jet Madden is known for one thing among the ladies, and I’ll give you a hint. It has nothing to do with those designer tats he’s doling out down at Think Ink. Don’t add insult to injury. According to Cade, that boy isn’t looking for a relationship. He’s in full fucking mode—pardon my French—and I’d hate to see you get caught up in the sticky web of his mattress. Do both your heart and your body a favor. Resist temptation. Stay strong, girl.”
“Oh, I will.” Starting tonight. God, I’m such an idiot. Cassidy is right. I’ve fallen into Jet Madden’s sticky-icky mattress web. God, were the sheets even clean? Disgusting. How could I be so weak?
Piper squirms in her seat. “Well, my classes are great. Owen and I actually have a class together, too, so that’s pretty cool. What’s not cool is the fact his little sister, Ava, is outright trying to avoid me. I saw her in the bookstore, and she literally ducked behind a shelf and made a clean getaway. Owen thinks the best thing I can do is give her some breathing room.”
“I’m on it.” I lift a finger. “I’ve always wanted a little sister. I just know I can be a good influence on her.”
All six pairs of eyes stare agog at my ridiculous declaration.
“What I mean is, I can give great advice when it comes to boys. Believe it or not, I’m quite conservative.”
Again, all eyes feast on me as if I’ve just sprouted horns and a tail, and I may as well have. Dancing at Stilettos? Dating the senator for dollars—through what might amount to a hooker hookup no less? Taking a ride on the Jet Madden Orgasm Express? Yes, it is safe to say I’m quite conservative—when it comes to making good decisions.
We finish up by way of depressing ourselves with the sheer amount of papers we need to write this semester before we formally disband to the four corners of the Earth.
Cassidy is the last to leave, and I pull her back by the sleeve a moment. “Hey, how’s your sister doing?” It requires far more of my superpowers than anticipated to project those words in a civilized manner.
“She’s great!” Her eyes light up at the mention of her lookalike. “She’s got a new routine down at the club, and I’m just dying to see it. Maybe we could make a night of it sometime.”
Cassidy’s support of her sister baring both of their physical assets is the epitome of unconditional love. For most people, a stripping sister would be a dirty skeleton in the familial closet. And that’s exactly what I’ve been to my own family, minus the closet. My dirty little skeleton is rattling around in the open for all to see. I’ve become a grievous wound to my family, one that may never ever heal.
“I think I’ll just go down there soon on my own.” There’s no way Caila is going to fess up to any wrongdoing in front of Cassidy. “Hopefully, they’ll let me get a few hours in.”
“They will.” She pulls me into a brief hug before taking off. “It’ll all work out. I promise!” she shouts as she hits the exit.
I’d like to think so, but Cassidy’s Mary Sunshine attitude can only get me so far. Reality has me by the ugly jagged teeth and has no intention of ever letting go.
I sit back down and scroll through my text messages. There’s one from Tiffany Ikeman—not a group message this time—and my ears pique with both interest and fear. Tiffany approached both Scarlett and me last month about joining the WB Legal Eagles, a pre-law fun club that’s supposed to look great on our law school apps.
Been thinking about your inclusion. I’m sorry, but it might be a bit of a distraction.
“No, no, no!” Crap. Why should I back down from my life when, last I checked, the senator is back to corroding Washington politics?
A text from my oldest brother, Nelson.Keep your chin up, kid. Focus on school. Avoid the radar, and stay the hell out of trouble.It’ll be okay. Jonas says hello.
Right. Jonas also used the F word in a text to me earlier and told me to lay low for the next four years. Nelson always was one to paint a rosier picture than necessary. A kind endeavor on his part.
And one message from a number with an area code outside of Hollow Brook. Is this the same one from earlier?I mean it.If you ever need anyone to talk to, I’m here for you.
Huh. Right. But still, probably the press.
I text right back. Second verse same as the first.Fuck off, asshole!
No sooner do I get up to leave than I bump into a familiar freshman brunette. “Ava! I’m not sure if you remember me, but I’m Owen’s friend.” Technically, I’m Piper’s friend, but there’s no way I’m even mentioning my hotheaded buddy. “You look so much like your brother it’s just crazy.” Crazy seems to be the theme of this new school year in general.
She offers a complacent smile before heading to the counter and putting in her order.
“Hey, you wouldn’t happen to have a minute to do a quick sit-down, would you? I used to be a part of the Alpha Chi sorority before they disbanded, and we had a little sister program going that I’m still pretty active in.” Lies, all lies, I tell you, but I’m pretty determined to turn this shitty semester around, and if befriending Owen’s little sister is the only way I can do it, then so be it.
“That’s very nice of you, but I have a big sister.” She accepts her coffee before taking a careful sip. “She’s in prison for murder one. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She finds a seat at the nearest table, and I plop down opposite her.
“I know all about your sister.” Sadly, this is true. It’s horrific what Aubree Vincent did, pushing that poor girl off a cliff, then trying to cover it up as a suicide. She tried to kill Baya, the waitress from the Black Bear, too. Just the thought gives me the shivers. “I’m really sorry.”
“And I know all aboutyou.” Her brows twitch as she pulls out her phone and proceeds to ignore me.
