Page 38 of On a Fault Line

“For fuck’s sake, woman,” Nic hisses. “Keep it up with your filthy mouth and see what happens…”

She smiles like a Cheshire cat but turns to me. “Can your roomie get us VIP tickets?”

Nic lets out a snort.

Graham laughs. “You all are going to start a war in my foyer.”

“I just don’t understand the big deal,” Claire whines. “It’s not like I plan on going home with anyone.”

I almost feel bad for Nic. He is about to lose it, and Claire is oblivious to it all.

My eyes slide to Collins. And sheesh…

He looks murderous as well.

Too. Fucking. Bad.

“There is no way I’m allowing you to step foot in another strip club. Wasn’t Vegas enough?”

“Penny wasn’t with us. And besides, now we know someone—well, kind of—in the show. That makes it special.”

“Oh yeah,superspecial,” Nic deadpans.

Claire shrugs. “If you’re worried about people flirting”—she points down to her stomach—“well, then don’t. There’s no hiding this belly bumpity-bump, even if I tried. Nobody would even give me a second glance.”

“You look freaking gorgeous,” Nic says boldly. “And if I need to fuck another baby into you just to?—”

“Ahhh!” I scream out, holding my hands over my ears.

Collins can’t keep his smirk from his face this time as he watches my every movement.

Picking nail polish off her fingernail, Claire frowns. “Exaggeration just makes me feel even more insecure, ya know?”

“Punk is speaking the truth,” I chime in. I know Claire is having some self-esteem issues as her belly grows, but she really has no clue just how attractive she is. I think her whole pregnancy glow is just making her even more beautiful. “You are the cutest pregnant person in existence, Claire. And any man with vision capabilities can see that.”

Nic drapes an arm over my shoulder, giving me a squeeze. “Thanks,” he says in a whispered voice.

Squeezing him back, I mouth, “You’re welcome,” when Claire’s not looking.

Graham ushers us into the main part of his and Angie’s residence. When Collins turns to leave, Nic gestures for him to stay. As I walk into the main living space, I hear their muffled voices, feeling the pangs of jealousy that he can be social with them but not me.

Yeah, I’m butt-hurt.

And borderline about to be petty with my emotions…

“So, do you ladies want to order in food and watch movies?” Angie asks. “We can flip through some of the summer fashion catalogs and talk about boys?”

“I’m up for anything,” I say quietly.

I still have so many emotions running through me. I’m feeling lonely at the moment, and sometimes hanging out with Angie and Claire reminds me how badly I still need a best friend.

They always have each other. And while I’m being included in today’s festivities, I very much feel like an outsider and an obligation.

“Hey,” Claire says, getting my attention. “Penny, you seem like you have a lot on your mind.”

I look into her concerned eyes, and then out of nowhere, the tears flood out in a rush before I can trap them.

Dammit.

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