Page 93 of A Very Addicted Christmas

“They’d rather poison our foes,” Audrey says.

Winona peels a wad of tape out of her hair. “Maybe your dad. Mine would rather do some stabbing…or punching.” She picks up her magazine and rips a page rather aggressively. Like she’s thinking of a certain someone that she’d like her dad to annihilate.

Audrey and I share a look, while Vada watches her in concern.

“I can feel you all staring,” Nona says, not lifting her eyes off the magazine.

“Is it Tate?” I ask.

“I don’t want to talk about the T-Bag,” she says fast, like it’s rolling her stomach. “Not on Christmas Eve.”

Fair.

She blows out an angry breath and tears a piece of tape. “My mom took me to my annual physical. The doctor said some girls don’t stop growing until they’re nineteen or twenty. So my boobs could get evenbigger.Go me.” She does a cheerleader clap with a fist in the air.

We all helped Audrey practice a routine for an audition this year. She made the JV squad, which cheers for the basketball team. Games are at the beginning of next year.

Vada sighs, “You weren’t supposed to leave the itty-bitty titty committee without me. I’m also pissed.”

“Kinney’s still in it,” Audrey notes.

“Thank you for that,” I say flatly, “and I am finewith my small boobs. I love them.” I concentrate on cutting a perfect line.

Winona grew a whole cup size in just a few months. The T-Bags were a hassle before then, and now it’s like they’ve zeroed in on her even more. It doesn’t help that people online are starting to take notice too.

“I guess it’s not a big deal until I’m eighteen,” Nona mutters, her chin on her knee. She’s flipping through a magazine.

I frown at her. Some people count down to eighteen as though the gates into adulthood have opened, but Winona is dreading it. At eighteen, the media can say whatever they want about us. We’re no longer minors, and press won’t care about crossing ethical lines. The boundaries will be erased.

“That’s the spirit,” Vada says, nudging her elbow to cheer her up. “We’re only sixteen.”

“Anyone who comments about your boobs online is a perv,” I say.

“Super pervy,” Vada agrees.

“Some days,” Nona says quietly, “I feel like I could just run into the forest and join the wild creatures and never come out.”

Audrey’s face breaks. “You’d leave us?”

Those words send a dagger to my heart. Another person gone. Another oneleaving. I’m not sure I could take Winona, Vada, or Audrey vanishing from my life. It’s not survivable.

I think about my brothers and sister.

My heart heavies, and I try to focus on cutting—but a knot is in my throat.

Nona smiles softly at each of us. “Could I entice any of you to join me in the woods?” Her lips downturn seeing me. “Kin?”

Get it together.I lift my chin. “I’m out. I need shampoo and conditioner and deodorant."

“Life’s finest necessities,” Nona nods in agreement, her worry on me for another beat before she returns to the magazine. “I think I’d miss those too.” She still seems in the dumps, and I hate it. I hate those loser T-Bags that have officially crawled under her skin.

“I’m going to break his nose,” I declare. I don’t even have to say his name. We all know I’m talking about Tate.

“No,” Nona says.

“Why not?” I ask. “Just a little pop right on the bridge.”

“I support Kinney’s plan,” Vada nods.

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