Page 61 of Quiet Beautiful Things

Sierra and Beth become instant friends, which relieves some of my worry. Beth and I have always been more than sisters. We’re best friends. She always had my back growing up. Still does. And I’ll always have hers. But I wasn’t sure how Beth would handle the news that I have another sister.

I get a text that our dinner is here, so I buzz up the delivery guy and pay for our pizza.

Beth inhales. “Twenty-dollar pizza with two-hundred-dollar champagne. Does it get any better?”

I shoot her a scolding glance.

“What?” she asks.

Sierra’s gaze bounces between us.

“Don’t mind her,” Beth says and signs. “She’s had a stick up her ass since she moved here. I think it has something to do with not being able to bone the hot single dad who is the father of a student.”

My jaw goes slack.

“What?” Beth looks at me like I’m the one who’s crazy. “It’s true, isn’t it?”

I roll my eyes.

“Oh my God,” Sierra says, Beth interpreting so I don’t miss any words. “It’s Blake isn’t it? So he’s not just a friend?”

Now Beth is the one rolling her eyes. “Oh please. She told you he’s just a friend?” She laughs. “Our sister is drooling over the guy who may or may not be known as one of the foremost players of Calloway Creek.”

Sierra’s lips poke out in a pucker. “Why is it always the bad boys who are the most appealing?”

“He’s not bad,” I sign in irritation.

“Hey,” Beth says. “I don’t fault you for it. I’ve been with a few myself. They are always the most fun. Just make sure you know the stakes.”

“Stakes?”

“As in, don’t be surprised if after the two of you fuck, he loses all interest.”

Sierra giggles and asks Beth to show her how to signfuck. After she’s proficient at the sign, Beth turns and eyes me. She studies me as I take a drink, the crinkle in her nose making an appearance before her eyes grow larger in realization. “Holy shit, you already fucked him, didn’t you?”

The champagne in my mouth is immediately sprayed all over her. Flustered, I choke on what little is left and sign, “I… no.”

“Liar.” Beth wipes her face, laughing. “You did the deed with the hot single dad. It’s written all over you.” A slow smile overtakes her smirk. “Wait. It must have happened before you met Sierra, and he still went with you? Oh, my God, Ellie, he must really like you. How many times?”

I shake my head, having forgotten how Beth can read me like a book.

She grabs my arm. “Spill.”

Both of them stare me down. I’m hesitant to say anything, because if I do, I might actually be admitting that I have feelings for him. Feelings I shouldn’t be having for a guy whose only claim to fame—other than his family name—is bedding women.

“It’s not a big deal. It was just the one time.”

“It is a big deal,” Beth says. “He practically popped your cherry.”

Sierra looks like she just saw an alien. “Were you… was that your first time?”

I shoot Beth another look of disgust. Must we shareallmy secrets with Sierra so soon?

“It wasn’t my first time,” I sign, as Beth interprets. “But it was the first time in a long time.”

“She was a bit slutty in high school,” Beth says, revealing what I didn’t.

I smack her arm. “I’m trying to make a good impression here.”

---