Page 66 of Let Us Prey

I wrinkle my nose and grin a little. “Ok. So, I spent the night… with Fitz.”

“Woooo-weeee! Our girl landed herself a big kitty dick to swing from! You know, I hear they have these insane hook things on them when they’re with a mate.” The badger waggles his brows and his hips, making him look ridiculous. “Coco, we have to up our game. Dolly’s making us look dull.”

Leaning in, I swat him playfully until he stops making sex sounds at me like a pervert. “Rufus! Someone will hear you! Stahhhhhp!”

My other friend picks up her sewing again, scrutinizing the fabric intently as the two of us battle. Once she finishes a section, she looks up with a raised brow. “That’s it, though? Just a little fun with the tiger? No other smoking hot profs getting a glimpse of your new La Perla?”

Oh, damn.

I thought my tidbit would be enough to satisfy their need for vicarious thrills. Rufus looks at me expectantly and I sigh, trying to figure out what I’m allowed to share. I don’t want to blab everyone’s secrets; they trust me. But I also desperately want to have friends I can share my life with who actually care what I have to say.

Can I trust them? Ugh. I thinkso.

“I went on a late-night outing with Renard and Aubrey. We… took a quick trip together, after I danced with the gargoyle in the moonlight.”

Their eyes pop open, and Rufus holds his hand up for a high five. I smack his palm sheepishly, knowing that I’m blushing again as they crack up. Cori holds up the bias cut skirt she’s working on with a satisfied grin and tilts her head.

“You realize this means you have to go to the Halloween dance withallof them, right? It’s only a few weeks away and we need costumes. It’s mandatory.”

“What?” I practically screech. “Wehaveto wear costumes? Everyone? Where am I going to get a Halloween costume better than the cheesy ones on Amazon? We have exams and I have to study and we’re not allowed off campus...”

Rufus grins, stacking his hand behind his head as he lays down on the floor to lounge. “That’s right, Dolly Bear. Why do you think Coco is practicing her herringbone stitch? She’s gonna help us get fancy.”

I must look like someone has smacked me in the face with a brick, because Cori stops sewing to pat my hand. “We can all work on the costumes together—even for your guys. There’s plenty of time, and since we haven’t decided on the musical yet, I’m sure Professor Chess will allow you to work with us on a large costume project like this for midterms instead. Just bat your lashes a little..."

Snorting, Rufus nods his agreement. “Find out what your men want and we’ll help. It’s not like I haven’t had to sew up people after fight night at home. I can’t do fancy shit like Coco, but I’m handy with a pair of scissors.”

The way he says that both creeps me outandrelieves any fear of making a fool of myself from building in my chest. I pull out my phone to start a group chat on Predbook. I’ve never messagedanyone but Fitz before, but he made sure I had all of them friended, just in case I got cornered somewhere.

Oh, great. He preset nicknames for everyone. I’m gonna pay for this; I’m sure of it.

BabyGirl: Um, hi, everyone.

CSpot: Delores? Is something wrong?

TigerKing: Who picked these names?

LustyLibrarian: It had to be Fitz.

EmoBatMan: Where am I???

CSpot: Delores, tell us you’re okay.

BabyGirl: I’m fine, Chess. Don’t worry—there’s no emergency.

TigerWoody: Baby Girl, are you naked? That’s def an emergency.

BabyGirl: No! I’m in class. But I have a question.

TigerWoody: Yes, my dick is the biggest.

TigerKing: Fitz…

TigerWoody: Okay, okay. What’s up, baby girl?

BabyGirl: My friends say everyone has to go to the Halloween Ball, including teachers… in costume. Did you know?

LustyLibrarian: What??!!!

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