Page 86 of The Good Girl

“You two are kind of perfect for each other, though. Havoc and I couldn’t be more different.”

“You good together in bed?”

I jolt back, not expecting that question. “Uh, yeah, that’s definitely not a problem.”

“You accept the club, even if that means dealing with a bunch of nosy-ass brothers?”

I think of Crane looking out for me at the ice cream shop, and Conan coming with me to feed the homeless guy, and even Toot driving me crazy, and nod. “Of course, the guys are awesome.”

“Then who cares about the rest? I think you’re making excuses because you’re scared.”

“Alright, that’s enough out of you, Dr. Phil. If I wanted a well-thought-out, logical argument, I would have asked for one.” I mock glare at her, making her grin.

“Gotta make sure you’ve got your head on straight because Havoc gives off hunter vibes.”

“I don’t even know what that means.”

“It means, Pippin, that if you run home to daddy dearest, Havoc will chase you, and he won’t leave without you. Hell, he’d probably fuck you in front of the congregation to prove his point. Can you imagine their reaction? Susan and Brenda would end up with finger cramps from all their pearl-clutching.”

I laugh at the image, then swallow and look at her. “I need to call my dad. He should hear it from me first.”

She nods. “Want to wait until Havoc is done?”

I shake my head. “No. If I wait, I’ll just chicken out. And besides, if my dad makes me cry, Havoc will smash my phone. I just need you.”

“You got me.”

“This is gonna suck.”

“Then it’s gonna suck, but we’ll get through it.”

I pull out my cell phone and unblock my dad’s number. My aunt had told him I wouldn’t get cell service at Bible camp, but I didn’t want to risk it.

I hit the call button and squeeze Amity’s hand. I know it has to hurt, but she doesn’t say a thing. Her silent support grounds me as the call connects.

“Nevaeh?”

“Daddy.”

I hang up, feeling sick, and stare down at the scratched surface of the table as I try to swallow around the lump in my throat.

Well, that went better than I hoped it would, but also much worse.

Blowing out a shaky breath, I pull my hand from Amity’s and run my fingers though my hair.

“Jesus, you’re as white as a sheet. Let me grab you a Coke. The sugar will help.”

I nod but don’t say anything. My words would be a mumbled mess. I’m so lost in my thoughts, I jump when the glass thumps down in front of me.

“Talk to me, Nevaeh. You’re scaring me.”

“He told me he was disappointed in me. Shocking, right?” I grab the glass, my hands trembling, and take a sip before placing it back down. “He’s disappointed I lied about going to Bible camp. And mad that I involved my aunt.”

“But it was your aunt’s idea?”

“I know, but I wasn’t going to throw her under the bus.”

I try to shut out his words, but they keep replaying in my head.

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