What else is it supposed to pour?Chloe smears it with enough sarcasm to coat the world with.
I belt out a short-lived laugh and my stomach does a quick revolution as if the idea of bringing up Chloe’s lunch was still a very real possibility.
“I’ll be fine,” I tell him. “Last I checked, I was waterproof.”
“You’re not taking my car.” His brows pinch as if he were suddenly worried for me. “Did you call for a ride?”
I don’t have a car, Skyla. Gage left me with nothing. And we’re not going anywhere in this downpour. I refuse to get pneumonia on your sloppy watch, Messenger. Think up another harebrained idea.
“Freaking Gage,” I mutter as I look to Marshall and shrug. “Um, Marshall is picking me up. I think we’re going to dinner, then maybe to see a movie.”
Both Brody and Brookelynn stumble deeper into the living room, their eyes agog as if I just sprouted another head.
“Oh my God.” Brookelynn presses her hand to her chest. “Are you like dating Marshall Dudley or something?”
“Or something.”
Dear God,Chloe whines.You’re not only starting rumors in the first five minutes, you’re propagating them.
Brookelynn fans herself while biting down over her bottom lip. “Well, he’s totally hot. Have a good time. Do everything I would do.” She chortles a little too long and Brody frowns over at her.
“No.” Brody shakes his head at me. “You’re not going.”
“What?” both Chloe and I sing it like a chorus. “What do you mean I’m not going? Just try to stop me.”
“I mean you’re not going.” He continues his impromptu tyranny. “Dudley doesn’t have pure intentions with you. Why in the hell would he be taking you of all people out, anyway?”
“Gee, thanks, Brody.” I scoff at his terrible attitude. But, then again, Marshall has been known to womanize in the past, and Chloe hasn’t exactly been on her best celestial behavior these past few dozen years. I suppose he’s right to question this strange union.
Marshall sighs over at Brody. “Tell him it’s a meeting of the minds.”
“We’re strategizing,” I say. “He needs a genius to confer with, and I was the only one on the island he could think of.”
Chloe chuckles.It looks like you’re getting the hang of it. Now give him the finger and let’s take off.
I shake my head.
A car horn goes off outside, and I peek out the window to see Marshall’s fancy sports car idling in the street. It’s nice to know Marshall works quickly with both fast girls and fast cars.
“My ride is here. I’ll see you both later.”
“Wait,” Brody calls after me, but I’ve already made a run for it with my sweater pulled over my hair as the rain does its best to soak me.
I laugh as Marshall and I take off.
“Where to, Ms. Messenger?”
“Chloe?” I ask, demonstrating exactly how respectful I can be.
You know where to go. You both know where to go. I want to see that bastard I’ve wasted all my energy pining over. And then I want to watch you beat him to a pulp.
“I’m not getting in a fistfight with Gage,” I say, pulling down the sun visor and examining my new Chloe features in the mirror.
He wouldn’t hit a girl, Skyla.
“He would if the girl were you.”
And maybe me.
