Page 153 of Pretty Poisoned

I reach up my skirt, hook my thumbs under the lace, and pull them down my thighs and over my combat boots.

Declan holds out his hand, waiting, and I set them in his palm. He puts them in his front pocket and goes back to staring out the window.

Okay.

"Hey, come sit on my lap, Hazel," Eli says.

I watch as she crosses to the other side of the car and climbs into his lap. He pushes her pink hair over her shoulder and then leans in, whispering something in her ear.

I watch the look in her eyes shift; I think I know what he told her.

She turns her body toward the door and leans against his chest. He's still talking to her, whispering to her. I see her nodding or shaking her head. River watches them, confused, but the rest of them continue their own conversations, either unaware or uninterested.

When she gets out of the car, she's quiet and her mascara is runny.

There's already a line around the block waiting for them to start signing autographs when we get there. And there's something else, too.

My jaw hits the fucking floor when we step inside the building, past the front of the line, and I spot three girls together, each with 'D' and 'L' carved into the front of their chest.

"What thefuckwas that?! Did you see that?"

Luca and Declan both just laugh.

"It's not funny to me!"

"Aw, come on Teagan," Luca says. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

"It's not fucking flattering, it's—you like it, don't you?"

"I'm not answering that," he says.

"I'm just warning you, Teagan," Brady says. "I saw at least two more in line and a couple with it drawn on in red sharpie or something, too."

"Are you fucking with me?"

He shakes his head. "No."

"I saw them, too," River says.

"There were pictures of you two at the pool earlier on Instagram," Rhett says. "Some people must have thought it was a good way to get attention. It is kind of cool."

"I didn't do it to get attention! I didn't do it to myself at all!" I fold my arms across my chest and plop down on a sofa beside Brady. "I didn't evenwantthe 'D,'" I grumble.

Declan looks at me and raises an eyebrow. "Careful, Teagan."

I regretted it the minute it came out of my mouth, but not because of him.

"Don't lie, Teagan," Luca says. "You know you always want the 'D.'"

Because of that. I knew it was coming. I do my best not to laugh with them all but fail.

"I still don't think it's funny," I tell them. "I'm just another fan now, I guess."

"Aww, just ignore it, Teagan," River says. "Don't let it ruin your night."

"You are so fucking dramatic," Declan laughs. "We need to go, guys—we're late. Actually, come here for a second, Teagan; I have a surprise for you. It might make you feel better."

"It's the 'D,' isn't it?" Luca asks.

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