Bryce caught me as I was leaving. Sebastian was with me. Since he’d driven me here, he had to give me a ride home. “That’s crazy about Glenn, ain’t it? Ripped apart by vultures.”
“Is that what happened?” I leaned over to look at him, feigning shock.
“Well, that’s what I heard.”
We reached the parking lot and stopped in front of our cars.
Bryce took a long drag of his cigarette then winked at Sebastian and me. “Sounds like they bought it. I say, whoever did it? Good for her.”
Chapter 27
Evie
The Alliance
Istared at Bryce, my mouth hanging open.
He tipped his cowboy hat at us before hurrying to his car, snickering.
“Bryce, wait—” I called after him.
“I’ve had a long day. How about dinner Friday?”
Friday was five days away.
I bit back a protest and nodded.
“Sure, sounds good.”
If it were anyone else, the prolonged wait would’ve eaten at me, but I knew that whatever Bryce knew, or thought he knew, was safe with him. When we were younger, he was always the first person to help us on set. He would even go toe-to-toe with my mom on occasion, when he felt she was being too harsh. He’d known many a secret of mine during my childhood. He was the brother I’d never had.
I got into the car, and Sebastian drove me home, where I crashed the moment my head hit the pillow.
THE WEEK WENTfast, just like the interest in Glenn’s death. By Wednesday, they were officially looking to replace his position.
Friday came, and after we wrapped for the day, Skye asked if she could come over and watch movies.
“Reptilicuson the big screen? Fresh popcorn, Buncha Crunches? Just you and me?” she pleaded. She loved my mini theater.
“Ooh, I do loveReptilicus. It’s tempting, but I can’t tonight. I have a...date.”
“A date?” she hissed, eyes growing wide. “With Sebastian?”
She and I had only briefly talked about the dressing room incident. She wanted more details, but I wasn’t much of a kiss-and-tell person.
“No—well, he might be there. I don’t know.”
I didn’t think her eyes could get any larger, but somehow, they did.
“Evelyn Reyes, are you in a triad?”
“What? No. It’s nothing. Just some friends. Sorry. I’ll catch up with you a different night.”
She pouted her lip and crossed her arms, but I promised to make it up to her later. I hurried home to shower and change. I put on a pair of ripped jeans and my black hoodie I’d gotten from a movie festival I’d gone to last year. They’d given them out with the early screening ticket I’d purchased. On the front, the title of the movie,Slash or Pass 2: More Blood More Titties, was written on it in a creepy font. It was my favorite.
I hurried out the door, off to Bryce’s bar.
This was the first time I’d been to my friend’s business. He talked about it often, but usually when we went out after work, we visited other places. I was excited to see it all, so I was the first one there. Sebastian sauntered in moments later. Bryce came out from the back after we’d already had our first drinks. He was carrying a small pink box with a red bow. He set it on the side of the table.
