Page 17 of Property of Fox

The sound pulls a reluctant smile onto my face as I run a hand through my tangled hair. I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflection of a nearby mirror. My hair frizzing like a helicopter rotor gone rogue. Nice going, Brea.

Grabbing a hair tie from the bedside table, I hastily tie my hair into a loose bun to keep it from looking as chaotic as my thoughts. Every moment spent here feels like it pulls me further away from everything back home—the stress of Mom at her worst, Tank slinging his unwanted opinions about my life like they were badges of honor. The thought prickles at the edges of my mind as I open the door to join Kiera.

She stands with her back to me at the small kitchen counter, dressed in high-waisted jeans and a vintage band tee that clings to her curves.

“What time is it?” I ask, shuffling towards the rustic dining table in the corner of the kitchen.

“Two o’clock.”

“In the afternoon?”

“Considering it’s sunny and not dark, yes.”

“Good grief, I slept half the day away,” I mutter, moving towards the counter as the scent of crispy bacon wraps around me like a warm hug.

Kiera scoffs. “You needed it. Another couple nights of good sleep and you might look human again.” I watch as Keira grabs a plate next to her and shovels on a heap of crispy bacon with some toast before she shuffles over and puts it in front of me. “Eat up.”

I tear into the bacon, noticing the lack of a second plate for Keira. “You aren’t eating?”

“I ate a while ago. Still on my school schedule even with the time change,” she shrugs. Kiera plops down across from me, her gaze sharpening like a blade drawn from its sheath. “So… I was thinking,” she announces, leaning forward with an exaggerated intensity that raises my brow. “Do you realize what today is?”

“Um, Friday?”

“Yes, smartass. But what is so special about the date?”

“You’re going to have to help me out, Keira. I’m not awake enough to follow where you’re going with this.”

“You’re no fun,” she scoffs. “B, tomorrow is the Motorcycles, Mobsters, and Mayhem signing…and we’re already in Dallas. We should go.”

“I don’t know. We only just got here and with Tank…”

“Fuck, Tank,” she exclaims, throwing up her arms dramatically. “Brea, we didn’t just drive hundreds of miles away from all of that for you to stay cooped up in this house.”

“But.”

“No buts!” Kiera insists, her green eyes fierce like emeralds glinting under the sun's rays. “We’ve been talking about going for months. You’re free now. Live a little, B. This can be your firstadventure of your new life. What better way to celebrate than with books and hot guys? You’ve been on a dry spell for years, babe. Let’s get you dusted off.”

“Jesus, Keira. You’re talking like I am a virgin waiting to be sacrificed to the book model gods.” I laugh at the thought.

“Would that be such a bad way to go?” she fires back. “Seriously. We’re here. I still have the tickets. You owe it to yourself to have some fun for once.”

“Ugh, why do you have to make this so difficult?” I groan, shoving more food into my mouth just to buy myself a moment to think. It’s all too tempting. Still a part of me shivers at the thought of reckless abandon.

“Fine,” I finally concede, letting out a resigned sigh.

Kiera’s face lights up like she’s just won the lottery. “Yes! You won’t regret it, I promise. Maybe some handsome biker will sweep you off your feet.” She waggles her eyebrows exaggeratedly.

I can’t help but snicker. “I highly doubt any man is interested in a book nerd like me.”

“I think you underestimate yourself,” Kiera shoots back. “You’re gorgeous, Brea! And don’t you dare forget it.”

“Yeah. Right.” I take another bite of bacon, savoring both its taste and Kiera’s extravagant compliment.

“Alright then,” Kiera announces, jumping up from her seat in that exuberant way she always does. Her hair flows behind her like silk ribbons caught in the wind. She reaches forward and snatches my plate.

“I was still eating that,” I protest, trying to take it back from her.

“Too bad. We have too much to do to get ready for the signing.”

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