“How the hell wouldIknow?”
She grimaces when I spill theHword, so I quickly retract. “How theheckwould I know? Should I be flattered that you think I can see throughwalls?”
“You’re not funny.” She swings her legs off the bed and heads for the door. “If it’s the Frencher, I’m shooting onsight.”
“Arrggh! For the last time, he did notFrenchyou!” It’s become a hotly contested point whether or not Levi gifted her tongue when she sosubtlygrazed her mouth over his. “I’d bet my life on the fact the only thing he gifted you was a public rejection. That man was squirming and worming his way out of that headlock you had him in! I witnessed the eventmyself.”
But it’s not Levi on the other end of those rabid knocks ready to settle our French debate once and for all—it’sRaven.
“Oh my God!” I pull Lex over and hide behind her like a human shield, but that doesn’t stop my bestie from barrelinginside.
“Come out, you coward. I see you.” She plucks me from Lex’s robe and pulls me into a hard embrace. “Levi told meeverything.”
I swallow hard at the thought, then I remember what a swine he is, and I swat her over the arm for being related tothegoof.
“What are you doing here?” She holds me at the shoulders and examines me from head to toe in this sorry, less-than-hygienic state. “And who the hell is this woman who’s holding you hostage?” She glowers at Lex as if her involuntary confinement theory were true on some level, and I can’t help but laugh. I likened Lex to my captor just under an hour ago. “Do you mind giving us a little privacy?” Raven spews the words with such attitude Lex’s head is right back on thatswivel.
“No,” she flatlines with the promise of death to all, the way only Lex can deliver. “Shall we sit on the couch or head backtobed?”
Raven sucks in a hard breath as she turns to me. “You were in bed with her? You’re cheating on me!” She gives me a few quick swats to the bottom, and I quickly lead the twin psychos deeper into the living room lest feathers and waffles fly in thenextroom.
“What can I do for you?” I judge my proximity to the exit should the unavoidable urge to bolt strike me as Raven and Lex eye oneanother.
Raven needles me with that pissed yet bossy glare, a combo only she could perfect—well, up until ImetLex.
Who knew life would throw at me two potentially murderousbesties?
“Get your things, Low,” Raven seethes while staring down Lex in her own home. “You’re comingwithme.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I jump behind Lex and peer over her shoulder. “I’m stayingwithher.”
“What?” Raven shrieks so loud the walls rattle with her discontent. “Don’t you sass me, young lady.” She gets that wild look in her eye that has always made me giggle, and much to my detriment I do just that. “Are youlaughingat me? Do you think this isfunny? My brother is worried sickaboutyou.”
“Why? Because he didn’t get to dump me himself?” I walk around Lex and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her—mostly because I’ve never argued like this with Raven before, and I might need backup. “Well, too bad! If anyone does the dumping around here,it’sme.”
Raven’s mouth opens, then closes as she shakes her head. “Fine. Have it your way. He’ll be at The Pelicantonight.”
“Good,” I snipe. “Tell him to have my final paycheck ready, because I’ll be picking it up myself. I’m not afraid of anyone, and I’m certainly not afraid to face your brother. I’m no coward as you indelicately pointed out.” My voice is still stuck on its highest octave, and it feels foreign yelling at Raven, altogetherwrong.
Her features crumble as she takes a steptowardme.
I clear my throat. “Raven—you and I have been through a lot of things together, a lot of shitty boyfriends—but this is different.” My voice breaks, and I try to swallow back the hurt. “Those other boys came and went, and we remained strong. But this is your brother. He’s broken my heart, and now what do we do? I can’t ask you to choose between us. He’s blood. I’m not even close to family. I guess this is where we fall apart, too.” Tears stream down my face, dripping down to my bare feet in fat, juicysplats.
“This is not where we end.” Her voice shakes as her hands rise back to her hips in that defensive stance. “You are not allowed to come to any ridiculous conclusions about my brother either until you hear him out. You owe himthatmuch.”
“Owe?” Lex grunts as if she were personally affronted. “Sheoweshim that much? Honey, she doesn’t owe that jerk anything.” Lex strides up a little too close to Raven and gets in her face with that angry snarl of hers. “If your brother was half the man you think he is, he would pen her heart andmy moutha letter ofapology!”
Raven growls as she inches in until they’re nose-to-nose. “If my brother is smart, he’ll get a rabies shot after that stunt youpulled!”
“IfI’msmart, I’ll press charges,” Lex roars before cutting me a look. “I didn’t want to say anything, but Frenchie copped a feel.” She snaps back to Raven. “That’s right. Your rotten brother stolesecondbase!”
Memories of Levi stealing second base come flooding back, and I’m suddenly missing those innocent flirtation-laden days. Just the thought of Levi manages to send a swarm of butterflies ripping through my stomach, a little loud and obnoxious, sort of like Levihimself.
Raven bumps Lex with her shoulder, and I quickly insert myself between the two of them. “No way are you two going to duke it out—not over Levi, anyway. If anyone should be coming to blows over him, it should be me. But I’m not. I’m done with him.” I burp out the words as an ugly cry bubbles to the surface, and both Raven and Lex wrap their armsaroundme.
Lex touches her forehead to mine. “We’ll find a way togeteven.”
Raven huffs at the idea. “We’ll find a way to get the two of you backtogether.”
