Page 139 of Tricky Girls

Her height is eclipsing, blocking out the rest of the party. They’re screaming out numbers down there but it’s strangely muffled. Nic doesn’t blink as she raises her hands to tangle in my hair.

…THREE…!

This feels wrong. Awful. Like mixing two toxic chemicals. Like the moment our lips touch, the world will implode.

I don’t step away. Kissing me will hurt her as much as it will me. Sacrifices have to be made sometimes.

…TWO…!

Her fingers flex in my hair, agitating my scalp. I smell smoke on her mouth, feel her breaths as she draws closer. My eyes start to close of their own volition. I watch her at half-mast, not quite comfortable enough to let her out of my sight. Her eyes are fully open, flicking between my own. I still don’t see her blink.

…ONE…!

I close my eyes. Her lips graze mine. She tightens her grip, pulls back my head…then spits right into my mouth.

I cry out, eyes flying open.

‘Stupid bitch.’ She lets me go, shaking her head as she saunters off. ‘Not my fault you’re too thick to see what’s staring you in the face.’

CHAPTER 30

Tilda

I have half my mind on the TV and another on Haz and Nic donning shoes on their way out the door.

‘Don’t fuck this,’ Elly warns beside me, drawing my attention back to the game I’m playing.

From the corner of my eye, I watch Haz lean against the kitchen table, Nic pulling on her peacoat behind her. ‘You should play a real game,’ Haz says. ‘Expand your damn minds.’

Elly huffs. ‘Give over, mate. This is your game.’

‘What is it you’re playing again?’ I ask, briefly flicking my gaze to them.

‘D&D,’ Nic responds, voice as cold as the Arctic Ocean. I’m surprised she answered at all—had to be obvious I wasn’t asking her. ‘Dungeons & Dragons. Tabletop role-playing game.’

If it was Haz, I’d ask her to elaborate, maybe crack a joke atrole-playing,but after being gozzed in the mouth last month, I’ve no desire to engage her any more than necessary. Just seeing her smug face makes me want to punch her

‘Nah, not enough dopamine for me.’ Elly snatches the controller back when I die yet again.

‘Alright, later then, motherfuckers.’ Haz pushes off the table. ‘Have fun melting your brains.’

The door slams, telling me Haz was the one to close it.

‘Didn’t know they were into all that.’ With them out of sight, I curl into Elly slightly. As much as I love having Haz around, something in me sighs every time it’s just Elly and me.

She presses a quick kiss to the top of my head. ‘You’ve been witness to our board game nights for months.’

‘Yeah, but, D&D’s a bit different, isn’t it? Like for the hardcore crowd.’

Elly shrugs. ‘Haz has been talking about joining for ages. And where Haz goes, Nic goes.’

‘Would’ve thought it would be the other way round.’ I study Elly as she plays, her light eyes flitting over the screen. Her face in profile’s always so nice with her cute wispy sideburns and freckles. ‘Not for you, anyway?’

‘Not for me,’ she confirms, following that up with a sigh when her avatar’s blown to smithereens.

‘Died quicker than me that time.’ I take the controller smugly, sitting up straight so I can concentrate.

‘I reckon if we double team this,’ Elly begins, nosing my fall of hair, ‘we might have a better chance.’

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