Page 14 of Diem

I have no time to ask though before he turns and tosses over his shoulder, “I’m out.”

“Wait!” I don’t know what I’m going to say but there was a desperation to his expression that hurt my heart.

When he stops and bows his head, I move to touch his arm and he seems to shake it—whatever—off as he says, “This again? I don’t do seconds, sweetheart.”

My jaw drops, I’m sure it does, and I stare incredulously while he stalks off before closing my teary eyes.Why do I even engage with the prick? I know what’s going to happen every time. Shit.

Unfortunately, I have no time to recover and when I spy Bone approaching, I summon a weak smile and wipe my eyes before following him to his car.

All around us, mourners speak in low tones, and I set aside Diem’s cruelty for what matters, which is the death of my friend.

Bone says something I don’t hear for the roar in my ears and when I try to push back the emotion pressing at my chest, I unerringly find Diem in the crowd.

He’s leaning against his vehicle, scanning the masses once more. Why? Is he expecting someone?

Averting my gaze before he catches me, I slide into the passenger seat and put on my belt, all the while resisting the urge to look back. Why is he here? Is it for Dixie or me?

Ha! Don’t be foolish. If anything, the dick is here to get laid.

Once we’re on the road, I force myself to think about anything but Diem, asking Bone if he’s ever heard of anyone that Dixie might have been seeing.

“No. Why?”

“Well, it’s just weird, you know? She never said anything. What if this guy was the one who killed her?”

“So? Why do you care?”

“Because. Some jerk killed her,” I say softly.

“Maeve, whatever is going on, let the police handle it. This is sick shit,” he says, eyeing me with a furrowed brow.

Turning away, I nod, but what if the rumors are true? What if it was the Lucky Charm killer? It’s been years that this killer has been on the loose. Clearly the police don’t know shit.

∞∞∞

Later, I find myself staring at my reflection while Harriet eyes me dubiously. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Yes.”

After sitting in my room and going through all the sweet but painful memories of my friend, I called Harriet.

Now I’m getting ready for a party and for once in my life, I’m not going to hide behind the barriers I put up so long ago.

Gone are the glasses I really only need to see the board at school, but I’ve worn as a mask since they were prescribed years ago. My baggy clothes lie in a heap on the floor, replaced by tight jeans I stole from my mother.

I’m not sure about how I feel in them though because where most of my peers are stick then with pretty boobs and small waists, I’m all curves.

I found a slinky top that accentuates the globes of my breasts. Although I feel a certain amount of freedom, I also have to sit on my hands to keep from covering up the goods.

This is going to be an interesting evening, that’s for sure.

Harriet helped me to apply sultry makeup that makes my green eyes glow, before doing my hair into soft curls that hang down my back.

After pulling on my favorite pair of boots, I grab my leather jacket and turn to her expectantly.

Her siren red painted lips curve into a wide smile and she says, “If I were a lesbian, I’d totally do you. I mean you’ve always been pretty but you’re smoking hot now! The guys are going to be all over you. You know that right?”

Am I? No clue, but I’ll pretend.

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