Laura pulls out a Taser.
I’m so furious I don’t even care.
I rush at her like a linebacker.
Laura screams, putting her hands out.
I just bowl right over her. We land in a heap on the ground.
“Laura! What the hell?” Nolan appears out of the shadows, confusion on his big, dumb athlete face.
“We’re supposed to blame this on Knox,” Nolan reminds her. “That was the plan. He’s supposed to take the blame, and I am supposed to be the captain.”
“And it’s a great plan, you two. I actually already got rid of Knox. He’s getting traded so you can be captain. Yay! Justlet me go, okay? Take me home, and it will be like this never happened,” I say, trying to modulate my tone.
“Laura did this for me so I can finally get the job I deserve,” Nolan says firmly.
“Not true—she just wants Fitz.”
“She’s lying, baby.” Laura pets his arms. “She’s trying to get in your head.”
“So you’re going to kill me, and then Fitz is going to be so distraught he’ll fall into your arms?” I spit. “No wonder you lost the Capitol Moderne contract and I won it. That’s such a trite, ill-thought-out plan.”
Nolan falters.
“Wait—what? Baby, I thought you loved me.”
“You only make two mil a year!” Laura screeches at Nolan, and he goes white with fury. “I have standards.”
“I can’t believe I ever thought you loved me.”
“I know, right? Why don’t you and I go have a drink and talk about it?” I offer.
“I’m fucking done with both of you.” He shoves us into the room and slams the door. “You can fucking stay in there until I figure out what the hell I’m going to do.”
“Guess it’s just us girls,” Laura says in the dark. “Come on, Winnie—girl power! We can put our heads together and escape this—”
I don’t say a word. I rear back and headbutt her square in the nose.
She keels over, howling. Blood, sharp and hot, spills into my palm.
“Shut the fuck up.”
50
FITZ
“It has to be one of the guys she dated or one of the ones she’s talking to online,” Carolina adds.
“Mom was giving her picture out to every guy on the street.” Kathy shakes her head.
“Dammit, April!” their grandmother swears.
“Your songave her number to one of your creepy friends.” Winnie’s mom is upset.
“That wasn’t for him, that was for his boy,” Mark cries. “They play golf!”
“Let’s make a list of all the men Winnie’s been talking to in the last few months.” Frances orders.
