Page 93 of Seeds of Malice

"Getting ready for the party. Just snorted a few lines. What are you doing? Why don't you come over?" he rattles off.

The same old Bobby.

I shouldn't be surprised.

I reply, "Nah, I've got things to do."

"Things? Or that new girl?"

I grunt. Bobby knows me well.

"Ah, you've already deflowered her, haven't you?"

"Shut up, Bobby. I'll see you tonight." I hang up the phone and continue to the salon. I sit in my car for a while with my head against the headrest and eyes closed, thinking about Ivy. I don'tknow if I've ever enjoyed a girl as much as her. And now that I have the shot, it'll get even better.

My phone rings. I glance at the screen and pick it up. "What do you want, Avery?"

"You took her to the salon?"

"Why? What's it to you?"

"Ugh. She's so...common," Avery whines.

I don't reply. On the outside, Ivy looks common. But is she really?

What am I thinking? Of course she is.

I recover and reply, "That's the fun of it."

"Don't tell me you actually like her, Dax," Avery declares, as if it would be the worst thing in the world if I did.

I open my mouth to tell her I do, but I stop.

Once again, I wonder what the hell I'm thinking.

Ivy's a pawn in a game. That's it.

"You do like her," Avery says in disgust.

"No, I don't. She's a pawn, simple as that," I lie.

The truth is, I like her way more than I should, but I tell myself it's okay. Better I enjoy her than not.

It's about time I got somebody that lit my interest.

"Where are you taking her tonight?" Avery asks.

"Butcher and Sea Chophouse."

Avery scoffs. "Why are you pulling the red carpet out?"

"I'm not."

"Sure you're not."

I stay quiet.

Avery asserts, "You're trying too hard."

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