Hattie joined in, teasing gently. "Aw, come on, Chloe's always been the angel of the group. This is progress!"
“If he shows up, make sure Wade’s not around. Our big brother would absolutely freak out and arrest him on sight for just daring to take you out. But hey, I don’t blame you, Lo Lo. Just be careful, okay? If you’re really going out with him, make sure you get his ID and send it to one of us.” The tequila was buzzing, but I threw back another shot.
“I promise, but I doubt he’ll be back.” She flushed. “And I don’t know if he’d ask me out.”
As the night wore on, that feeling of being watched crept back, a shiver down my spine despite the bar’s warmth. I scanned the crowd—nothing obvious, just shadows and strangers—but it stayed with me. Glancing at the guys’ table, I caught Rhodes’ eye again, his nod subtle and reassuring. They were there, protecting us. It eased the paranoia a bit, letting me sink back into the laughter and shots. For now, tequila and sisterhood were my armor.
Chat
Dysfunction Junction
Earl told Maggie he fixed the generator at the community center.
Kipp
He has not fixed it.
I know.
East
How do you know?
Kipp
She knows because Earl has never fixed the generator. Earl has never fixed anything.
Wade
He fixed his own truck last spring.
Kipp
It caught fire two weeks later.
Wade
He fixed it, though. For two weeks.
East
That's not a fix. That's a delay.
I'm not doing it.
Phiny
I’m busy. Also, not doing the generator.
Chloe
I have a twelve-hour shift on Friday. So.
East
It's going to be Kipp and me. Shocker.
Kipp
