Page 159 of Magic or Madness

“Yes, Journey was covering his ass, and Alexander was still mad at him for touching me. Is it true you held a gun to him before?”

I laugh, taking a big sip of my mimosa before diving into this tale. I forgot that Cami and Pepper weren’t around for this, and it feels like a lifetime ago — a much simpler time, that’s for sure.

“I did, but this stays in this room, understand?” I hold my pinky out, and both girls lock their smallest fingers with mine.

“Journey has always had a weird … obsession with me. Like, the night I came here for the first time, he kept calling me Cinderella. Of course, Ozzy is protective as fuck, and he put Journey in his place. After that, he was always creepy. Staring at me, watching me, making sexual comments, and I told Ozzy next time he messed with me there would be consequences.”

Cami’s eyes widen, and Pepper is processing it all, slowly sipping her mimosa.

I should slit his throat for touching Pepper now that I think about it, but with everything we have going on right now, that’s probably not the best idea.

“So, one night, I was asleep on the couch and he rubbed his hands on my ass and legs. He whispered that Ozzy didn’t deserve me, and I lost it on him. When he called me a bitch, and a liar, I grabbed a gun from the table,” I explain, and both girls lob questions at me faster than I can answer.

“Where was Ozzy?” Cami asks, and I keep the details light, saying he was running errands.

“Jesus, Fallon. You’re a little insane, aren’t you?” Pepper laughs, and I wink at her.

“You have no idea,” I tease, and we all clink our glasses together at that.

“Alright, I think I’m drunk.” Pepper stands, instantly stumbling over her own feet and falling on her ass.

Finally, she gets herself into an upright position, forging her way to the bathroom and refusing help.

“She’s gonna fucking fall in,” Cami laughs, laying on her back and staring at the ceiling.

I scooch next to her, mirroring my body the same way she is, and I reach over to take her hand in mine.

“So, you love me, huh?” I tease, and Cami rolls on top of me, her face inches from mine.

She tosses her hair over her shoulder, tucking a few pieces behind her ear with a sweet smile on her face.

“Something like that. I think a part of me has been waiting for you, for a long time,” she says softly, trailing her finger down the bridge of my nose.

“You’re fucking important to me, Camila,” I tell her, watching as her cheeks flush a deep shade of pink.

“My girl.” She presses her lips to mine gently, solidifying her words with a kiss.

I kiss her back, but something about what she said comes off a little strange. I’mOzzy’s girl, and I’ve made that clear from the day I met her. He wouldn’t want someone else calling me his, no matter how comfortable he is with me exploring, and I’m not too thrilled about it, either.

Rather than make it a big deal, I stuff it down, promising myself to mention it if she calls me that again. We’re both big on boundaries, and I’m sure if I gently explain that this crosses one of mine, she’ll be understanding.

“I want to give you something, Fal,” she says, climbing off me and interrupting my thoughts, bringing me back to the moment.

“Of course.” I sit up next to her, watching as she pulls something from the pocket of her sweats.

“I know you’re a silver girlie, and my grandmother gave me this to protect me from the evil eye,mal de ojo,” she says, translating in Spanish, and handing me a small silver ring.

“This is beautiful, Camila, but I can’t take something that was your grandmother’s,” I tell her, shaking my head and handing the piece back to her.

She rolls her eyes, pulling my hand back, and slipping the ring on my index finger.

“My grandmother was a bitch, but that’s not the point. This symbol wards off evil, and protects those who wear it. After what happened to you … take it, please,” she pleads, her soft eyes meeting mine.

The ring is beautiful. The band is thin, with a small dark blue circle and a tiny white dot in the center. It’s simple, yet elegant, and I’ll take anything that can keep me safe.

“Thank you, Cami. This is perfect.”

She reaches for our glasses, filling them up to the rim, just as Pepper bursts through the door.

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