Page 123 of Brutal Kingdom

“Sure, mom.”

* * *

The carnival started on Friday afternoon and ends its run tomorrow. I’ve spent the last two days painting stars, flowers and anime flames on children and temporary tattoos on adults. The winter formal was my idea, so even though I’m exhausted, I came to show my support.

My pale pink satin gown has a draped cowl neckline and corseted waist, flaring out to a train in the back. I feel old world glam and sexy chic. A long sleek pony tail, diamond bracelet and earrings complete the look.

I smile and dance, pretending to be having a great time, when the truth is, my mind is jumbled with so many thoughts. I nod at whatever Noel’s saying about his class. When he asks me to dance, I accept because mindless movement to sound is all I can manage right now. Talking requires way too much work.

“Feeling better?” He asks after he spins me for the third time. I’m smiling now, the stress of my life fading into the background.

“Yes.” I laugh when he dips me. Finally, allowing myself to have fun.

“Good, because I was gonna try telling jokes next.”

I snort. Everyone knows Noel tells horrible jokes.

My phone rings and I excuse myself to take Summer’s call. She had a game today, so she didn’t get to see my dress. I find an empty conference room and answer her video call. “Okay.” She says, smiling at the camera. Her face is flushed and her hair still looks damp. “Lemme see this knockout dress you picked without me.”

Rumi and Kassidy helped me shop. I hold the phone away from myself so she can see the front and sides. “I’ll have to get someone to take pictures of the back, but what do you think?”

“It’s gorgeous Jordanna. I’m definitely borrowing that.”

“Stay outta my closet, brat.” I tease. This is the best moment of tonight. I miss her so much. I look forward to our calls and she looks happy at school. I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.

“Hey, we’re about to load the buses and the coach likes to debrief our game, so I need to get off the phone.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow when we video call mom.”

“Alright. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

“Who do you love?”

I whirl around to see Logan in the doorway. His eyes are fuzzy, his cheeks a little flushed. He walks towards me, pointing to my phone. “I said who, do you love?”

He looks weird. Almost as if he’s sick or… “Logan, have you been drinking?”

“Yes.”

“All day?”

“Most of it.”

I link my arm through his, pulling him to the door. “We should go get you some water to help you sober up.”

He fingers the neckline of my gown. “We should get you out of this dress to help loosen you up.”

“I don’t need loosening.”

“Yes, Baby. Yes, you do. This dress is way too tight. And so are my pants.” He looks adorably sincere when he says it.

“You want to take those off too?”

“Mmm. Yes.” Tugging on the knot of his tie, he loosens the silk, then steps closer, pointing at my dress. “Off.”

I swat his hands away when he grabs my dress. “Logan, I’m here with someone.”

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