Laura grabbed my wrist and everywhere quietened, gazes fixated on the hand between Katy and I. My mind worked too slow, and my hand worked too fast. Impulsively, I snatched it from Laura’s firm grip and placed both hands on my legs, out of their sights. I was still in his shirt, and the sleeve that I folded had pulled a little bit back from my wrist.
But with the unsure stares, it seemed they saw a little bit of the bruise and not how it went around my wrist.
“I fell,” I supplied.
Jade gave me a flat look. “I’ve fallen this month. Twice. And I know what it looks like.”
Katy asked worriedly, “Is there something wrong?”
Laura slapped her hand on the counter so hard it jolted us. “I’m tired of pretending. I know when someone is freshly bedded.” She moved close to my face, sniffing me like a dog. I reared back. “Tell me it’s him,” she whispered.
“Tell you what?”
“That you finally took my advice and fucked him.”
Oh goodness.If Theon sent a message right now, it would become on, tell them how I ruined your pussy last night.
I clenched my jaw to stop myself from clenching my legs.
Laura pushed back, grinning from ear to ear. “I won, people! Ainsley’s blushing so hard. It’s him. It’s Theon. I knew you were eventually going to listen to me.”
“Shut the fuck up!”Don’t inflate his ego. He’s probably grinning also right now.
“Okay, fine. Will you sit down, Laura?” Katy said, still looking worried. “How does that explain her wrist? Let me see it—”
“No. I’m totally fine. It’s nothing to worry about. I didn’t cut myself or anything.”
Laura walked to Katy and massaged her shoulders, the grin still wide on her face. “Relax, girl.” She threw a wink at me from over her head. “I’m sure it’s something not really concerning. Matter of fact, Ainsley might not feel the pain until after it happened.”
“Are you saying she enjoyed it?”
I sighed, shaking my head as Laura fumbled for words, not sure if to introduce our friend to a type of intercourse where pain only brought pleasure. It was a surprise she had not been influenced by Laura all these while.
“What about you, Laura?” I distracted the room. “How’s Lancaster? I thought you two would pick up after the game.”
She sighed, going back to her seat. “I thought, too. Apparently, he has someone he’s crushing on.”
“That sucks,” I pouted.
“But hey, this place looks so good now. I remember how it was in school.” Jade looked around, nodding to herself.
I did remember. My dad didn’t care about the look then. His routine was to go out, make money, hang out, pay for meals, and sleep. Until one day. He didn’t come back. He was found dead, but I was thankful I’d clocked eighteen so I was left alone and wasn’t moved to an orphanage. I left South Highland to Melbourne shortly after for college.
“And we heard someone was murdered. Is it a Halloween prank or is it real?” Jade drew in. “If it’s real, you should lock your doors. It’s a very scary season and I don’t want a motherfucker murdering my best friend for skit.”
I nodded with a wide smile. Totally. The motherfucker who murdered someone already told me he’d rather be handless than have one and raise it at me. So I was safe. Maybe.
It was long before they decided it was enough and got up, leaving me with a promise to try everything possible to help me find a job. Laura winked and made a phone sign with her fingers, demanding a fill in later.
I shut my door after telling them I would make a visit soon and waved goodbye.
19
AINSLEY
“Can I get a large pumpkin spice latte, two cinnamon rolls, and a toffee nut coffee?” the woman at the counter asked, her voice barely cutting through the lively chatter filling the shop.
I nodded, punching the order into the till. “Coming right up.”
