Page 99 of Fallen Flame

“The one you’re holding!”

I glanced down at the cardboard box tucked against my hip. The words Cards Against Humanity were printed across the front in large black letters. “I’m pretty sure the name is going to give it away,” I called.

Alice appeared in the kitchen doorway with a wooden spoon in one hand and a smear of something white across her cheek. Flour, frosting, mashed potatoes—I honestly couldn’t tell. Whatever she was making had clearly put up a fight. “Hide it under your shirt.”

I looked down at myself and then back at her. “I don’t think I have enough shirt.”

“Then use your boobs.”

“They’re currently busy holding up my bra.”

“That thing needs to start earning its keep.”

Demi snorted from the couch.

I turned and spotted her sitting beside Drew with Eden and Bell crowded around them. Demi had one leg folded underneath her and a drink balanced on her knee. Drew sat a little straighter, still carrying a touch of the carefulness she’d had since arriving in town. She smiled more easily now, but she still watched the room like she was waiting to learn the rules again before she fully joined in.

The problem was there weren’t rules at the Fallen Lords clubhouse.

There were only varying levels of chaos.

“You heard her.” Demi nodded toward my chest. “Put the game in the vault.”

“I’ve known you for a week, and you’ve already betrayed me.”

“I’m trying to fit in.”

“You’re doing amazing, sweetie,” Bell told her.

Demi lifted her drink in acknowledgment.

The clubhouse was crowded, which wasn’t unusual anymore. Adley sat at one end of the couch with her feet tucked beneath her while Star and Clove occupied the other. Calla was on the floor in front of the coffee table, sorting through a pile of napkins and paper plates that looked as if Alice had dumped them there and told someone else to deal with them. Penny hovered near the kitchen island, periodically stealing pieces of cheese from a tray every time Alice turned her back.

Ever was leaning against the counter with a glass of lemonade in her hand, watching Penny with open fascination. “You know she can see you, right?” Ever asked.

Penny popped another cube of cheese into her mouth. “She can’t prove anything.”

“There are cameras in here.”

“Then I hope they get my good side.”

“You don’t have one,” Eden called.

Penny pressed a hand to her chest. “That’s incredibly rude.”

“It’s also accurate,” Calla said without looking up.

Penny grabbed two more pieces of cheese just to prove she couldn’t be intimidated.

I carried the game farther into the room and set it on the coffee table. Drew leaned forward enough to read the label, then immediately leaned back. “I don’t think I’ve ever played that,” she admitted.

Drew looked between us. “What?”

Demi slowly turned toward her. “You played it with me at Aunt Connie’s.”

“That was Apples to Apples.”

“No, it wasn’t.”