Page 43 of Heart of Thorns

I hum. “My best friend, too. Rhys.”

“Fine.”

I relax.

The waitress delivers the food and drinks all at once. Hey, I never said this was a five-star restaurant or anything. Shesets down straws and silverware rolled in paper napkins and disappears without a word.

I pop a fry in my mouth and spear a wing. “Help yourself.”

She does, carefully unrolling the silverware and putting the napkin on her lap. She loads her plate with chicken and douses it in ranch dressing.

I press my lips together.

“What?” She glares at me.

“I’m more of a less-is-more person,” I admit. “But only when it comes to condiments.”

She rolls her eyes. “Lame.”

We eat in silence for a minute. There’s something else I need to tell her, something that occurred to me on the walk to meet Briar.

And I already know it isn’t going to end well.

“My parents.” I set down my knife and fork.

This, by the way, is why I likebonelesswings. There’s not such a pressure to be a barbarian and eat with your hands. A reduced chance of buffalo sauce getting smeared across my lips and cheeks, or God forbid, my fingers or chin. It feels civilized.

“What about your parents?”

“You’ll probably meet them.” I focus on my food. Exhaustion tugs at me suddenly, and all I want is to go home and crawl into bed. “And they can be intense, is all.”

And judgmental.

Mainly judgmental—especially about how a girl appears.

But I can’t seem to spit out those words, so I leave it at that. There will be time for some sort of makeover at a later date. They like coming to home games, and we’re scheduled to be away for the next two. It would be easy enough to coordinate Briar’s movements and theirs so that they don’t meet until I’m ready.

Or until Briar’s ready.

Or… until Briar’s wardrobe is ready.

I try not to wince, because what had occurred to me earlier? A shopping spree—for her. To buy her clothes that my parents won’t immediately flag as tacky or cheap…

Not that Briar is either of those things.

In fact, I like her all-black ensemble. It shows commitment.

“Hey.” Briar taps the back of my hand. One finger against my skin. “I can handle intense, okay? Don’t worry about it.”

I force a smile and try to believe her.

CHAPTER 15

BRIAR

Cassius

You free tonight?

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