Page 65 of Tricky Girls

Later at Vipers, Elly and Haz spend no time in seeking me out. At the same time, Tommy wanders off to find his hockey guys and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

‘Couldn’t get Nic to come out?’ I ask them, noticing she’s missing and feeling relieved for it.

‘Fuck her,’ Haz says hotly into my ear.

So they’re still mad at her. I don’t know why they put up with her to be honest. She seems like too much hard work.

I spend the next few hours on the dance floor, fending off Haz’s and Elly’s advances. It’s become so common I think I’d feel put out if they suddenly stopped them.

Plus, if I’m truly being honest with myself, it’s flattering having their undivided attention. I see other girls watching them, pressing for their attention, but they’re all shrugged off, their eyes only on me.

When we’ve had our fill of the club, we head back to the lodge, all cramming into Elly’s bed with a cuppa.

They’re laughing as I set up her laptop with a Disney film.

‘Don’t know why you’re all taking the piss. A cup of tea and a Disney film is the best way to end a night out.’

‘Tilda.’ Haz cups my cheeks, her eyes wild from all the drink she’s imbibed tonight. ‘You’re too fucking cute.’ She kisses me squarely on the forehead.

I lay the laptop on the foot of the bed and settle against the headboard. Elly’s room is about as bland as Ryan’s, a typical bachelor pad with stripy blue bedding and a flat cream rug. Only the walls stuck with family photos bring any personality to the place. At least it’s not as messy as downstairs, just lived in. Cosy, like Elly herself.

She yawns widely as she sets her finished mug down, snuggling into my side with her head on my shoulder. She’s cuddlier at night. Like a cute little kid. I find I mind less the more time goes on, becoming used to her tenderness. Turns out I don’t dislike cuddling, I’m just so unused to it that it feels alien. Elly’s helping with that in a big way.

On my other side, Haz sprawls out, mug resting on her chest. Flicking her gaze my way, she reaches out for one of my hands to hold.

‘Jesus,’ she exclaims at the temperature of my fingers. ‘Are you even alive?’ She pinches my skin, making me yelp. ‘We gotta do something about this.’ She draws my hand to her lips, warmingit with her breath, dark eyes twinkling. ‘I can find somewhere warm to put your hand.’

I’m too sleepy to come up with a rebuke, so I only smile and redirect my attention back to the film.

At some point, Elly takes my other hand, my eyes drooping at the sensation of her hot skin. They’re going to send me to sleep if they’re not careful, something I couldn’t ever see happening. Cuddling up in bed with two girls I’ve only known properly for a month? Let alone two lesbians who definitely want me in more than a friend way.Never.

If this was two guys, hell no, no way would this be happening. They wouldn’t be content with just a little bit of handholding and a Disney film.

Though is Haz?

I glance over, inadvertently catching her eyes. She sends me a lazy smile before looking back at the laptop, her fingertips drawing suggestive lines over the webbing between my fingers.

Probably not.

I think she’s just enjoying the thrill of it all. I can see her being a foreplay kind of girl. Giving it, that is. And maybe a bit of a masochist on her part. Though she’d probably never admit to that. I heard from Elly that she likes administering pain when it’s wanted. Sadism is probably more her game if you were to ask her.

I find I trust her more when Elly’s around. I don’t think she’d let her go too far.

Halfway through the film, I hear voices downstairs. Well, one voice. A girl’s, definitely drunk. It drifts up the stairs, then up again to Nic’s room.

‘There you are, Ells,’ Haz says. ‘No need to worry.’

Next to me, Elly only grunts in response.

‘Why would you be worrying about Nic?’ I ask.

‘I’m not,’ is all Haz replies. She squeezes my hand, telling me without words to mind my own.

I probably should have guessed that if Nic has a girl in her room, they’re probably not going to be up there cuddling like we are.

Barely fifteen minutes later, I hear the telltale squeaking of bed springs directly above my head.

‘Here we go,’ Elly murmurs.

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