Page 113 of Tricky Girls

‘Haz, just leave it,’ Nic cajoles, palm up to stave her off.

‘Well shit, Nic, it’s not my birthday every day, is it? She fucks off practically every weekend.’ Her dark eyes flash. ‘Back to her perfect little family. Who gives a fuck about Haz, hey? Fucking fuck up that she is.’

I open my mouth to argue—because is she being for fucking real right now?—but Elly shakes her head.

‘We gotta run.’ She takes hold of her suitcase, nodding to mine.

At the door, I glance back at Haz. Behind all her bluster, there’s real hurt in her eyes. She really was excited for today.

But like I said, not Elly’s fault.

Haz gives me a grim smile. ‘You too, huh? Nice one.’

Elly puts her hand on my shoulder, encouraging me out the door.

We’re practically alone on the ferry, everyone else having left over the weekend. We sit inside, nestled against the cold.

I rub Elly’s arm as she cries. Over Haz or her mum, I’m not sure.

‘Aw, fuck.’ She laughs tearfully, wiping at her eyes. ‘You definitely won’t be sleeping with me now.’

‘Why, because you’re showing emotion?’

‘No, because I know my face will be blotchy to fuck.’ She wipes at her streaming nose. ‘I’m an ugly crier.’

‘You’re not ugly, Elly. You literally have the best face.’

Her eyes brighten at that, lips lifting into a pleased smile.

Fuck, she’s just so cute.

Putting my hand on her shoulder, I lean in to deposit the tiniest kiss on the corner of her mouth, breathless at how quick my heart’s beating. It’s not quite the kiss from Vipers, but it elicits some of the same feelings.

Elly stares at me. ‘That was decidedly gay, Tilda.’

‘I won’t tell Haz if you won’t.’

She sniffs, making a quick motion over her chest. ‘Cross my fucking heart.’

Settling back on the cold plastic seat, I blow out a steadying breath. I feel like my brain’s got whiplash; God knows how Elly’s feeling. I suppose that’s obvious by her tears. I don’t even get on with my mum but I’d hate to receive news like that.

‘Haz was such an asshole,’ I huff, still unable to believe her reaction. And these two are supposed to be best friends?

Elly leans back with a sigh. ‘Nah, she’s valid. I didn’t tell her why we were going.’

‘What? Why not?!’

‘Dunno, just…they have the problems, you know? Not me. We can’t all be fucked up. Being the normal one has always been my role. They need me for it. It’s how I’m useful. Running around after the two of them.’

‘Elly.’ I shake my head. ‘That’s messed up, dude.’

She half smiles. ‘Yeah.’ Taking my hand, she runs her thumb over my cold-reddened knuckles. ‘Thanks for coming with. Sorry it’s gonna be shit.’

‘Don’t apologise. You need someone in your corner.’

She squeezes my hand with a grin. ‘Meeting the fam already.’

‘I’ve heard lesbians like to move fast.’

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