Page 38 of Pretty Little Lies

“Eh, I’m unimpressed,” I deadpan.

“He’s leery,” Levi counters as I stop at a red light. “I would be, too. You’re still South Shore at the end of the day, and this could all be a game. The fucker is smart, since it is. We’ll need another encounter. Show them that we’re not just fighting. That we’re actually finished.” I groan at my distaste for all this. “I’ll make it quick, I promise.”

“That’s what he said,” Juice follows through before I hear him howl from getting punched. It’s just Levi and Juice’s relationship. It’s like clockwork.

“Leave him alone,” I chide lightly. “He’s just trying to lighten the mood.”

“I’m on the phone,” Levi retorts. “Geezus…they’re like kids.”

“We’re right here, dickhead,” Hot Rod claps back before I hear some rustling around on the phone.

“If you touch me again, I’m going to have your balls in a jar,” Levi clips out which has me grinning around because my best friend needs to be humbled every once in a while.

“Focus, Lev,” I remind him. “If you want to do thisagain, then let’s hurry and get it over with. And if you touch me again, I’m going to haveyourballs in a jar. I have a reputation, you know.”

“Is that including choice words? I can’t treat you special.”

“Give it your best shot. It’ll be the only time you’ll be able to do it. Besides, I’ll have to clap back at you with whatever pops up in my head. Maybe you were cheating on me and I caught you or something.”

“You’re an asshole,” Levi grounds out. “Why do I need to appear like more of a prick?”

“Because you are one,” I hear Hot Rod comment in the background, followed by a grunt from, I’m sure, Levi’s fist. “Tell Bay to come join us in Brightdale for dinner.”

“She can’t, dummy. We just broke up.”

“Then she can come by the house?—”

“Is he having withdrawals from me already?” I tease, back to cruising down Main Street.

“Apparently,” Levi grumbles. “Dude acts as though he’s never gonna see you again.”

“And I’m sure you’re thrilled to get a break.”

“I just rolled my fuckin’ eyes.”

I smile. “I am.”

“Youwould. Keep the boys on a leash. The closer you seem to be getting to them, the more Emilio is going to think he can rope you in. If you appear to be trainable and unaffected by them being The Landings, it might make a whole lot of difference.”

“This is the dumbest plan ever.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t have many options.” I don’t respond to that, because I had this thrown all in his face. “Stay the fuck out of trouble, Astor. I’m going to be a nervous fuckin’ wreck.”

“Don’t be,” I convey. “I remember the code word.”

“You have to stay in contact with me at all times. I want someone there with you every step of the way. I can’t have you hurt or dangling off a roof.”

My nose scrunches. “The fuck?”

“Hey, I told you what happened to Henry. And that was fromTorin. You’re going to be around this motherfucker, and I’m gettin’ eaten up by it.”

“Lev…IpromiseI’ll be okay.” He sighs. “I promise.”

“When do you want to do round two?” He doesn’t sound happy about it. Just like I feel. We’ve been inseparable since we were kids. Now we have to steer clear and spit out ugly things to each other. “I was thinking at the Beach Fair? Hurry up and get it out of the way.”

Now I’m huffing in frustration and shrinking back from the idea. “Yeah…let’s just get this shit over with.”

THIRTEEN

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