Page 120 of Wicked Dreams

“We’re in the next town over. They put me in the fancy-as-hell high school. It’s been a trip.” She chuckles.

“That’s good.”

“Yeah. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here, though.”

I sag on the bed. “Maybe since you’re close, we can meet up one day. I’d love to see Hanna, too.”

“We’d love that,” Claire answers, her voice noticeably lighter. “We’ve missed you, Wolfe. Maybe we can swing it this week.”

“Oh, shoot.” I smack my forehead. “I can’t for the foreseeable future. I’m grounded.”

“What on earth did you do to get grounded?”

“Came home drunk,” I say in a low voice.

She bursts into laughter. “Priceless. Got any videos of that? I’d love to see you drunk?—”

“No.” It comes out a bit harsher than I intended. “Sorry. Little touchy about it, seeing as how it didn’t end well.”

“What’s going on with you, Margo? Are the new foster parents that bad?”

“They’re great.” I flop sideways, my head hitting the pillow. “I just… I’m worried, okay? There are a lot of moving pieces, and I’m almost done…”

“Listen.” Claire has never been a rational one. Her ideas are half-crazed most of the time. Of the two of us, she’s been the instigator. The troublemaker. “Sneak out and meet me on Friday. At lunchtime. We can find somewhere to go.”

Yep. She’s crazy.

“I have to be back for last period. My foster dad is my teacher.”

“Brutal.” She clears her throat. “Oh! Let’s meet at the mall! Friday at noon, and you’ll be back before anyone notices. Pinky promise.”

There’s no use arguing with her. Claire with an idea is a girl on the warpath.

“I don’t have a ride.”

“Get one of your friends to drive you,” she says. “Or the guy who got you drunk.”

I groan. “I don’t know. I’ll let you know. Okay?”

“You’ll figure it out! Love ya, sis.” Claire makes a kissy noise into the phone.

The line goes dead before I can respond.

Chapter 28

Margo

In the Emery-Rose Elite courtyard Monday morning, I spot Riley immediately.

She has a bubble of space around her, which is unusual. I mean, she has more space than normal. The royalty get their breathing room, and the rest of us rub elbows.

As I make my way closer, the courtyard slowly drains of noise.

It’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Riley’s eyebrows crease, and Savannah is suddenly in my path.

“Following in Mommy dearest’s footsteps, are you?” She laughs. “It only took a few weeks for your true colors to come out.”

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