LEWIS:I need to go check on the food. Don’t screw this up, Firebird. Be here at seven.
FIREBIRD:OK.
Ending as she started, I see. I shake my head. I’m going to need to work on that with her. I really want to fire off another line—make sure I get the last word. But the guys have already called me over three times now, and I need to go help them lay things out for the party. I drag my ass out of bed and head into the living room. Amy can wait—in just a few hours, she’ll be on my turf. And I definitely plan on using that to my advantage.
LOIS’S BROTHER AND AMELIA HAVEjust arrived, and now I remember just how much I like Jeff—especially now that he’s pretty much the last member of our shrinking singles’ club.
“Jeffrey, my dear boy!” I boom in my best impression of an English gent.
“How the devil are you?” he shoots back, and we grin at each other. “Tell me you invited girls…”
“How could we not?”
“Thank God you’re here, man. I caught Lane doing my sister’s toenails the other day—so fucked up, I’m telling you!”
“That’s what I keep saying, but it’s like nobody gets it.” I nod. “You’re my last hope, dude. Don’t let me down.”
“I’ve got this.”
He shakes his head at me sadly as he’s summoned into the kitchen, and I turn my attention back to the trays Carrie is handing me. This is the first time we’ve done this at our place, and we’re expecting a crowd. People will do the usual—drifting between all the different parties that are happening tonight across campus. Adam’s and Don’s trainees are supposed to be swinging by for a drink before heading back out into the night, and I already know Firebird is going to lose her shit when she finds out I played a little loose with the truth when I said she had to stick around until midnight. Plus, I invited Amir—though he hasn’t replied to my message. He didn’t reply to the one before that, either, come to think of it.
By the time I glance at my watch, it’s past eight.
Hitman, Hitman, Hitman…
In her defense, we’re used to people running late—I can’t remember the last time Carter and Becca were on time for anything.
The doorbell rings, and I start. I look down at the funky casserole Lois made from one of her parents’ recipes and suppress a shudder.No way am I eating this.Her dad likes to “keep things interesting” in the kitchen, and from the way her brother and Lane keep glancing at it, it’s probably a good idea to give this one a pass. While I figure out where to hide the dish, Jeff sees to the door. Even with a clear view from where I’m hovering, the guy is a mountain, and I can’t see who’s just arrived.
“Hey…”
Why does he sound so freaked out?
I work through the options, trying to figure who the mystery guest could be, waiting for Jeff to throw me a few more clues, but he just stands there in silence, blocking up the doorway, before suddenly calling out over his shoulder.
“Who invited Davy Crockett?”
And just like that, Amy steps into the apartment.
The first thing that strikes me isn’t the dirty look she’s shooting Jeff. It’s what she’s wearing.What in the…I’m suddenly hit by an uncontrollable urge to burst out laughing.Oh, don’t tell me she…
She did. She’s actually wearing the fugly-as-hell racoon-fur hat I got her for Christmas, which was meant to be a joke—a nod to the Raccoons anecdote she shared back in Brooklyn. I thought she was teasing when she told me she’d wear it tonight, but nope.Damn, that thing is even grosser than I remembered.
My friends are all staring at her like she just walked in with a shotgun, or something.
Well, this is getting off to a good start…
“Wow, thanks for the warm welcome, guys,” she drawls, like she didn’t just burst through the door with a fucking animal tail hanging off her head.
Jeff holds up a tentative hand. “Can I touch it?”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
There she goes again with that scarily calm and collected tone.
“Laney, get your puppy back on his leash if you want him in one piece.” I laugh.
Carrie smiles brightly. “Let me get your coat! Want to keep hold of your furry friend for now?”
