“Damages,” she repeated sceptically, arms crossed over her chest and an eyebrow arched.
I nodded seriously. “Damages to quality girl time. It’s a real thing, you can look it up.”
“Uh-huh. I’m sure I’ll find that in a how-to-legal-shit handbook.”
I snorted, the dark cloud drifting away for the moment. “You as a lawyer would be a terrifying force of nature.”
Her grin grew. “I’d get so many people sent down.”
“Yeah, your own clients.”
“Hey.” She punched my arm. “I’d be a great lawyer and you know it.”
“Not sure you can threaten people into confessing, ChaCha.”
She scoffed. “The fuck you can’t.” My heart sank when her grin faded and she looked at me closer. My guard went up instantly. “Jess. Are you doing okay?”
Now I crossed my arms over my chest. “Didn’t you see me knock Thora onto her back?”
“I did, and it was badass. I’m proud of you. But, you’re not… uh, visiting as many places as you used to.”
“Visiting.” I frowned, wondering if all that purple hair dye had gone to her head (metaphorically.) “When was the last time I travelled anywhere?” Sure, I’d stopped leaving the compound but the farthest I’d gone before that was into town.
“You used totravela lot,” she said, raising her eyebrows in a silent communication I couldn’t decipher. “I’d always see you travelling.” She gave me a significant look.“Visitingpeople.”
Comprehension dawned and I laughed at ChaCha’s attempt to be subtle. “Ah. Yeah. I don’t really—want that anymore.”
“Understandable. Have you tried women?”
“ChaCha!” My ears burned. It was exactly like her to recommend trying a different sexuality, but I was definitely straight.
“What? Nothing wrong with exploring your sexuality. If men are a no-no, but you’re still interested in sexy times, there’s an obvious solution. Or if you’re not into women, vibrators are a thing.”
“Thank you,” I said quickly, grabbing her shoulders to steer her down the hall. “Sweetie’s calling you, can’t you hear? You’d better go and see what he wants or he’ll get grumpy.”
“We can continue this conversation tonight,” ChaCha said with a wicked grin. “I’ll bring a gift. Wait, it might be hard to buy on short notice. I’ll order something online and gift you the receipt.”
“God,” I said. “I don’t need a vibrator. I’m fine.”
She threw an arm over my shoulder and hugged me tight. “All I hear are lies.” I groaned; she ignored it. “You and Lynn are my best bitches, and I won’t let either of you struggle when I can help. What happened to us—” Her voice thickened, quietened. “It only has the power to wreck our lives if we stop fighting. If we give up. And sometimes I see you and think you’re close to giving up.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I hugged her tight. “Not most days,” I replied, an admission in itself. “Most days I’m okay.” It wasn’t a total lie. There were good moments and bad moments in each day, but some days had more good than bad. “Today’s actually a good day.”
She squeezed me tight, rocking us from side to side. “You’d tell me if things got really bad, right?”
“Of course I would. You’d do the same. Lynn, too.”
“I’m here for you, for whatever you need. Except, and I know this will be a dagger to the heart so prepare yourself.”
I was already smiling. “Right.”
“I have no sexual interest in you at all. I know I told you to sample pussy, but that was ageneralthing, not a specific invitation to sample mine.”
“Oh no,” I said flatly. “I’m devastated.”
She nodded. Squeezed me tighter before letting go. “I’ll give you time to come to terms with this heartbreak.”
We both glanced down the hall when Sweetie’s voice echoed from deeper in the clubhouse, then shared a smile and a laugh. He was so predictable, and understandably protective.
