Page 32 of Kortlek

Rose pulls us into a booth, sitting down. With a sigh, I take off my coat, put my small purse on the table, and skim the crowded club. Blair’s by the bar, ordering us God-knows-what, but I’m not complaining. After the game, I desperately need to get buzzed.

“You alright?” Rose yells, her voice reaching me over the loud music. My eyes snap toward her, and the train of thought disappears from my mind. I toss on a smile, albeit a fake one.

“I’m alright,’’ I yell back. “Just a bit nervous. Haven’t been in one of these since… well, since Wyatt.’’

Rose’s mood sours at the name, and she gives me a curt nod. Blair returns, holding three glasses of gin and tonic. The moment I taste mine, my body relaxes significantly. Given that Blair usually treats me like a child, I’m surprised that she bought me alcohol, but I’m too busy drinking to question it.

My brows narrow as I sip, then I put the glass on the table. In a far corner, I can see my brother. Granted, the club belongs to Arlo and me, which is how I got in without being twenty-one, but it’s still a shocker to see him. It’s not his usual scene.

“Does he always follow you around like this?”

Blair raises a brow, then glances over her shoulder to where Arlo’s standing with a man. The two are engaged in a conversation, neither of them noticing the stares from Blair.

“Yes,’’ she chuckles, crossing her legs and flicking her hair backward. “At times it’s a bit too much, but when we both remember the shit I went through, I’m thankful for his… stalking tendencies, you know? He’s just worried.’’

“Obsessed,’’ I correct.

“Is there anything wrong with that? I happen to like his obsessive personality.’’

“I can tell,’’ I snorted. “Otherwise, I doubt you’d be putting up with him.’’

Blair laughs, but her eyes are filled with affection and adoration for Arlo. Everyone can see just how much they love each other, and as sick as it makes me, I am happy for them. They’re the definition of soulmates, if such a thing exists.

“Where’s your man?” Blair asks Rose, switching the subject. Rose fiddles with the ends of her hair, sighing.

“Prison.’’

I blink. “Still? I thought he’d be out by now.’’

She groans. “He was supposed to be out next month. Then he had to go and kill an inmate, and well, safe to say I have no idea when he’ll get out.’’

My mouth drops open. “Excuse me? And you didn’t tell me this, why?”

She lifts a shoulder, downing the rest of her gin and tonic, then waving her hand for the waiter to bring another round. Her eyes drift between the floor, Blair, and me.

“You were busy with the game and the whole Cove thing, and I just didn’t want to bore you.’’

“Bore me? Where’s this coming from?”

“Truth be told, I just didn’t want to talk about it. I still don’t want to; I’m trying to process that man’s sheer stupidity.’’

Blair snorts. “Alright, no talking about James, then.’’

“Yes, I do think we should focus on Aria and Cove.’’

The waiter brings another round, replacing it with the empty glasses. I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. From time to time, my eyes drift to Arlo. I can’t see who the other man he’s speaking to is, since shadows fall right on his face and it’s hidden by the darkness, but I know it’s not Cove.

I’d recognize his body anywhere.

If Arlo and Cove are alright again, then I’m sitting here, hoping that he’d show up. If they aren’t, then Cove definitely will show up just to piss off Arlo. I’m not sure which is worse, because both scenarios could potentially lead to the two having a fistfight.

“There’s nothing to tell,’’ I shrug. “Given that the bastard Micah opened his mouth, I think everyone and their mothers know what Cove and I did back at the forest.’’

Blair tries to cover up a laugh with a cough, whereas Rose is outright laughing. Both of them lean in closer, the loud music forcing me to raise my voice while talking. Both of them are eager to hear more, and my brow twitches in annoyance.

“Alright, fine. I’ve had feelings for Cove for a while, and when I confessed—’’

“Wait, you confessed?! When?”

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