Page 87 of Collect the Pieces

“Does she really live in the house?” Jigsaw asks, his voice low and skeptical.

“Of course.”

The guys pounce, teasing Jigsaw for sleeping near a “murder doll.”

“She’s never murdered anyone,” I protest, barely holding back a smile. Then, for dramatic effect, I add, “That Iknowof.”

Sparky’s hand shoots in the air. “Wait, wait—does this mean there isn’t a haunted objects museum?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No, there is one that exists. Someone I went to school with really does run it. He didn’t like the mortuary business, so he did that instead.”

Sparky sighs dramatically, slumping back in his chair. “Could you imagine tripping balls in a place like that?”

Stash stares at his friend like he’s lost his mind. “No fucking thanks.”

Jigsaw huffs a quiet laugh beside me, sliding his hand over my thigh and squeezing. “You’re full of surprises.”

I lean into him. “Well, you already knew that.”

Jigsaw

Everything about Margot fascinates me. Even her creepy little statue-doll that apparently lives in her house somewhere. She could have a closet full of cursed objects and tokens from her kills and it wouldn’t dull what I feel for her.

I’m stopped from asking a follow-up question by Hoot and Eazy running into the dining room and tipping a laundry basket full of underwear over Birch’s head.

Z and Wrath stand up and fling packages of what looks like even more underwear at Birch, hitting him in the chest.

“Ow! What the fuck?” Birch shouts through his laughter, swatting the laundry basket and underwear away. “That better be clean laundry.”

June’s shaking with laughter. “It is. Promise.”

Wrath remains standing. “We wanted to make sure you’re always covered.”

“Your chilly willy story gave us nightmares,” Z adds.

Brothers laugh and hurl jokes at Birch. Hope, Trinity, and Lilly are howling with laughter. Rock’s just shaking his head.

“You couldn’t have done this at church?” Birch protests. “You gotta embarrass me in front of all the ladies?”

“Who do you think gave them the idea?” Trinity asks.

I reach behind Margot and Shelby to tap Rooster’s arm. He turns and raises an eyebrow. “Why didn’t we get in on this?”

Something hard hits my arm and lands on the table.Fruit of the Loom Men’s Micro Stretch Boxer Briefs.I glance up at Wrath’s serious face.

“We tried to tell you, but the noises atyourend of the hallway indicated you were busy.” He chucks a package at Rooster who catches it mid-air.

I pick up the package and wag it in front of me. “Joke’s on you. These are my sizeandmy favorite color scheme.”

Margot’s red-faced but laughing.

Behind us, Swan carries out a tray of cookies. Lala’s carrying a basket of muffins. They set them near the coffee station.

“Coffee and cookies!” Swan announces.

“You stay and check out your new underwear,” Margot teases. “I’ll grab a cookie for you.”

“More than one.”

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