Page 54 of Don't You Pucking Dare

We ignore Kiah's protests as we get ready. The Ravens shirt I altered stays on—my battle armor for tonight. Black leather pants and boots complete the transformation. The pellet gun is in my purse, along with a plastic bag, and tiny but mighty string. Amanda pours herself into a black dress that probably costs more than my cello, adding leggings and knee-high boots. We look like avenging angels. Or demons.

The Uber ride buzzes with pre-game shots. "I only took music comp because I want a career in music," Amanda confesses, her usual mean-girl facade softening. "Thought it would make me stand out."

"From what? Your trust fund?"

She laughs instead of bristling. "God, you're actually kind of funny when you're not being such a bitch."

"The class is a little boring, isn’t it?" I ask, taking another shot.

She laughs. "To me? Yeah, but don’t pretend like you don’t love it because I know you do."

I laugh because she’s right. It’s my favorite class.

The Reaper standing guard at the mansion doesn't make me flinch like before. His mask that once seemed terrifying now looks almost theatrical. Amanda catches my eye and we share a dark laugh—we've seen scarier things than costume shop demons.

"Come on." I pull her toward the drinks, grateful the actual Reapers aren't around yet. "Let's see how much trouble we can cause before they show up."

We are too many shots in, and we already need a bathroom break. We laugh as we make our way down the hall. We are currently the loudest two here right now.

"Did you see the way she was looking us?" Amanda laughs. "Jealous bitch! We should go talk shit to her."

We stumble into the bathroom and lock the door. The bathroom's too bright as I sit on the toilet first. Then Amanda uses it. Tequila burns warm in my veins as I steady myself against the marble counter. Amanda's giggling behind me as I reapply my lipstick, the red somehow darker under these lights.

"What's the game plan?" My words slur slightly at the edges. "For tonight?"

Amanda appears in the mirror behind me, her perfect makeup starting to smudge. "Let's both fuck Brody." Her smile's got an edge to it, testing me.

The laugh bubbles up before I can stop it. If she only knew what happened with Kiah, and if only she knew what Brodywould say, he’s not sharing me. "That's the last thing I'm doing tonight," I grin.

"Fine." She bumps my hip with hers. "I'll take him, you find another hottie."

"Sure." The word comes out lighter than I feel.

"Sure?" She spins me around, suddenly serious despite the alcohol. "You said he was mine… that I could have him, remember?"

Another laugh escapes, but this one feels dangerous. "I did."

"Did you mean it?" she asks, already drunk.

"Meant it." I smile at her.

We stumble back toward the drinks, arms linked like we’re best friends. But something in my chest feels hollow. Maybe it's the tequila, or maybe it's knowing that while Amanda plots to seduce Brody, I know he’s going to turn her down for whatever game he’s playing.

Some girls want the hockey star. I want my mom out of that trunk. I glance around for Brody. Where the fuck is he?

Chapter 24

The surveillance feeds show Lola and Amanda stumbling through the party like best friends. Interesting development—the cellist and the mean girl, arms linked, guards down. Lola's wearing those leather pants like a second skin, my altered Ravens shirt making it clear who she belongs to.

Seeing her at the game earlier shifted something in my chest. For a moment, I was just a hockey player making her smile. Almost forgot about the chamber waiting below.

"She came." Noah's voice carries approval.

"Right on schedule." I check the time. Everything's aligned. "Two AM?"

He claps my shoulder. "Everything is falling into place."

Amanda needs to be gone by then. Her obsession's becoming a liability.

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