Page 93 of Shelter from the Storm

Gretchen headed to the dance floor, then changed her mind, detouring to the ladies’ room first. The conversation with Destiny hadn’t bothered her as much as it pissed her off. Walking to the sink, she pulled a paper towel from the dispenser, wet it with cold water, and patted her face in an effort to calm down.

The fact that Destiny had driven two hours the night before a holiday was enough to convince Gretchen that the woman was telling the truth about Briggs’s breakdown. And it even made sense that it would freak out Darryl and Destiny. Briggs had been very—VERY—talented when it came to maintaining his “good guy” persona at work or out in public. He’d received countless accolades within the police department and in the community. He’d been Darryl’s mentor as well as partner, taking the younger cop under his wing when he’d first started at the station.

Whenever the four of them went out on dates, Briggs put on one hell of an act as the world’s most attentive and adoring boyfriend. So much so, Gretchen herself had even bought it for a while, always thinking that perhaps he’d turned over a new leaf, and he meant it when he said he wouldn’t hit her again.

She hadn’t just been the fool me twice, shame on me idiot. Her record was probably closer to fool me thirty times.

After five minutes had passed, more than enough time for Destiny to leave, Gretchen took a deep breath, ready to return to her true friends. A couple more lemon drop shots and a couple hours of shaking her ass on the dance floor and it would be like Destiny was never here.

She surveyed the dance floor but couldn’t see the girls, so she turned her attention to their table, praying Destiny hadn’t stuck around.

She hadn’t. Thank God.

Gretchen rejoined them, pleased to see the waitress was setting them up with another round. “Where’s Remi?”

She wasn’t sure what to make of the glances Mila, Nora, and Kasi exchanged.

Kasi held out her hand, palm up. “She told me to hold her earrings.”

Gretchen giggled, even though she was confused. “Why?”

“Your friend was still sitting here when we came back to the table,” Nora explained.

“She’s not my friend,” Gretchen corrected. “She never was.”

“I’m glad. Because she’s a terrible person,” Mila said.

Gretchen couldn’t help but grin, because those were strong words coming from Mila, who was truly one of the sweetest people she’d ever met. “What did she say?”

Nora scowled but didn’t reply.

“I can handle it,” Gretchen added, when it was clear none of the women intended to share.

“She said you were mentally unstable and a pathological liar,” Mila said.

Gretchen felt her cheeks flush, and her chest grew tight. She was embarrassed by the accusation and terrified the women would believe Destiny.

“Remi told Destiny she was an asshole for defending an abusive prick,” Kasi added.

“Destiny wouldn’t back down,” Nora said. “Kept saying we were being snowed by you and that if we cared about you at all, we’d have you committed.”

“Jesus,” Gretchen muttered under her breath.

Nora grasped Gretchen’s hand and squeezed it. “We just laughed, and I said the only one at that table who needed a straitjacket was her.”

Gretchen blinked back tears. “Thank you.”

“That was when she went a step way too far and called you a worthless cunt,” Nora said, clearly furious on her behalf.

Gretchen was touched that they cared enough to be so mad. “I’ve been called that so many times in my life, it doesn’t even impact me anymore.”

Mila frowned. “That’s terrible.”

Gretchen started to reply…then she recalled the earrings in Kasi’s hand. “Wait. Where’s Remi?”

Nora smirked. “Let’s just say Remi didn’t let that insult slide as easily as you did.”

Gretchen’s eyes widened as she glanced toward the door of the bar. “Did she follow Destiny to the parking lot?” Gretchen hopped up from her seat. “To do what?”

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