Page 30 of We Are All Sinners

“How many times did I sit and watch Varsity Blues with you in high school?” Evie slurs her words making me chuckle,

I still love that movie.

“If I remember correctly you were allowed to grumble about watching it.” I retort.

“Yeah, but I didn’t start grumbling until I had already watched it a million times.” She dramatizes the number very dramatically throwing her hands up, making me laugh.

Chapter 9

Evie

Itry to open my eyes, but the bright light beaming through the curtains makes me shut them tight again. I place my hand over my eyes trying to block the ridiculous light, as I attempt to will my eyes to just open again.

As soon as I’m able to peek through my lashes, the ache and thump starts to build behind my exhausted eyes.

I realize that I’m still in the living room and the fucking sun came up, peaking through the curtains that no one closed last night.

I grumble, moan, and roll off of the couch, still covering my eyes as I stumble to the window to shut the fucking curtains.

“Shh, quietly. My head is killing me.” Emily groans from the recliner.

“Okay, pain reliever and Gatorade, drink up bitches. Remind me to get some red bull for your house.” Lily walks in from the kitchen looking as much like a zombie as we do. She gives us each a bottle of Lemon-Lime Gatorade and two brown pills.

I take the little round tablets and down half of my Gatorade as I plop back down on the couch.

I hear the front door creak open and watch as all three of our boys come into view carrying coffee cups and familiar brown to go bags with the logo of, The Original Pierre Maspero’s.

My mouth waters when the smell of the cinnamon and sugar from the best gooey breakfast in the quarter hits my nose, making me actually want to get up.

“Okay girls, time to get to work. We got you some breakfast and coffee to nurse your hangovers while we go through what you found last night.” Liams voice is softer than usual.

Smart man.

I sit up when Brix brings me a Styrofoam container containing my favorite Louisiana Lost Bread, then hands me a cup of coffee before running back to the kitchen.

The other two boys bring my friends their breakfast as well. I see the hint of shock on Lilys face when Noah hands her a cup ofcoffee as well, then turns on his heel, heading back towards the kitchen with Brix.

“Well, this is something no guy has ever done for me before. I didn’t even sleep with him last night.” Lily whispers before taking a sip of her coffee, “Fuck, this is perfect,” she says as she opens her container, “He even got my favorite breakfast! Ham, bacon, and cheese omelet, with hashbrowns and biscuits. How did he know I prefer blackberry jelly?” Her eyes soften as she takes her first bite and moans.

“I’m sure it was just a lucky guess.” I say as I bite into the large strawberry on my fork.

I lick the whipped cream off my lips as the combination of sweet flavors explode on my tongue. I smile as I get another bite ready with the sweet bread dipped into the maple syrup. I can’t help but smile as I shove the larger-than-life bite in my mouth.

“Slow down Eaves, you have plenty of time to eat before you have to be at work.” Brix chimes in as he takes a seat next to me on the couch.

“It’s just so freaking good!” I reply with a grin as I take an even bigger bite as soon as I swallow the last.

I hurry and finish my food and sit with my friends while I finish my coffee.

“Sorry that you guys will have to do all the research stuff today without me, but it looks like you will have good company. Keepme updated please.” I smirk at my friends, who don’t look unhappy about having to spend the day with the boys.

“What exactly are we looking for?” Lily asks the million-dollar question.

“A loophole. It’s what my mama looked for until she died. I wish I knew exactly what we are supposed to be looking for, but I honestly don’t know. The more of us looking at it, the easier it should be to find though right? There may not be anything to find, but knowledge is power. The full story of the Casket Girls is in the leather-bound journal with dried lavender tied in the leather strings I found in my mama’s closet.” I explain before I get up and kiss Brix on the cheek and say thank you for breakfast.

“We will all be thorough, I promise.” Emily tries to put my nerves at ease.

I feel bad, but I can’t close the shop again. I just have to trust my friends to go through everything and see what they find.

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