Page 7 of Fall Hard

“That’s fucked up.” Jamie frowned in the way that meant she was probably considering something rash, the deep purple lipstick she was wearing made her eyes seem darker than usual and added an air of unpredictability to her that made the hair on my arms rise. “There’s no way you’re paying for any of that shit. If it was a college building, it’s their responsibility. Right?” She looked between us all and Bryn smiled, a dimple popping in her cheek.

It was likely doubly amusing for her, considering she studied law. So she probably knew better than anyone what exactly the college was liable for, but I could tell she was pleased Jamie cared enough to fight for her. That was just Jamie though—the first time we met she’d kissed me to convince some creeper hitting on me at the bar that we were there together. Tongue first, names second. I think I’d fallen for her almost right then and there.

“I rent privately, but depending on what caused the flood the landlord should hopefully be paying for the damage.”

“And emotional distress,” Jamie said, nodding as she folded her arms across her chest, her black leather jacket wrinkling slightly at the motion.

Kit snorted as he ran a hand through his baby blue, semi-long hair. “Oh yeah, I think Bryn is going to be feelingsodistressed that she has to stay here with Liv. Boo-hoo—”

Bryn smacked her brother’s arm and I quirked an eyebrow at him. He was being unusually snarky towards me. Normally Kit and I got on well, but maybe… Was he being protective?

Jamie’s dark eyes flashed as she turned and whispered something to Ryan that made him chuckle as he draped an arm around her waist before she looked back to Kit. “You are so cute, blue. Are you trying to defend your sister’s honor? Because I’m pretty sure that ship sailed—”

I don’t know what came over me but my mouth was opening and before I could think anything through I blurted, “I didn’t sleep with Bryn!” Several pairs of eyes landed on me, so heavy their weight felt practically tangible. Jamie’s mouth shut with a little click and her dark hair swayed slightly at her sharp jolt, brushing her chin. She’d cut it again recently and the blunt cut made her look even fiercer than usual. “Well, I mean, we didsleeptogether, but we didn’tsleeptogether—”

“Okay…” Jamie laughed and it felt awkward in the quietness of the room. “Well, there’s still time right?”

I rolled my eyes and Bryn flushed slightly.

“Hey, we were just going to drop Bryn’s stuff off here and then head toThe Box. Do you want to come?” Ryan smiled, his dimples popping as he peered at me from where his head rested on the top of Jamie’s and I forced a smile out from behind clenched teeth back at him.

“Sure. Is Kat coming?”

“Technically,” Jamie laughed a little and I could have bottled the happy sound and drank it, even if the reason for that happiness was tall, dark-haired and vaguely resembledSuperman.

“She’s working?” I confirmed, feeling a little bad that we were all going to rock up to the bar and make Kat watch us laugh and have fun without her. She and Jamie had a love-hate relationship, they fought like sisters but I knew they would kill for each other—not that it took much to move Jamie to violence.

“Her shift finishes soon, so I said we’d meet her there for a drink.”

“Okay, well, you guys go on ahead. I’m going to get changed and then I’ll walk over.” One of the best things about Jamie’s apartment was that it was right in the center of town, so most things weren’t too far to walk to—though Radclyffe’s college campus was probably furthest but of course getting to class on time wasn’t as high a priority for Jamie as easy access to iced coffee fromCocoa & Rum.Admittedly, going to class had been pretty low on my priority list recently too, I just couldn’t bring myself to be motivated enough to care about it. I mean, it wascommunications,hardly rocket science, so when I was in class my mind wandered anyway. Usually straight to Jamie.

They headed back out into the hall and Bryn lingered in the doorway before she left, a question in her eyes that had a lump rising in my throat. It was clear what she was asking—Was I really okay with this?I gave her a quick nod before hurrying into my room.

Regardless of how awkward it might be to have her here, she needed somewhere to stay and I wasn’t a complete asshole. Besides, she would have class and I would have… stuff, so we probably wouldn’t be home at the same time that much anyway.

I shucked off my sweatshirt as soon as I got into my room and draped it over the handle of my wardrobe to dry before I put it in the hamper. At least Kat would be atThe Box. I just had to survive the time it took for her to shift to end on the bar and come and sit down with us. I traded my leggings for jeans and grabbed a green tee and denim jacket before heading out. I was beyond happy that it was starting to get hot again, the days long and the evenings so warm that my jacket would be enough for the walk to and from the bar.

The Boxwasn’t far from the apartment, but the few minutes walk helped clear my head a little so I could mentally prepare to hang out with people. I was definitely the introvert to Jamie’s extrovert, my social battery tended to drain pretty quickly at which point I needed to retreat to somewhere quiet with a book or movie.

Thankfully, it wasn’t open mic night today and the bar was semi-quiet, most people probably off cramming for end of semester exams. I should have been doing the same, but I couldn’t bring myself to stress out about a degree I didn’t even want to complete. It was still relatively early in the day, so the lights in the bar were a light pink that would deepen to red as the evening went on and the small stage opposite the bar was empty.

I spotted Jamie and the others in our usual booth toward the back of the bar on the left and gave them a quick wave before heading to the middle for a drink. Kat wasn’t there, so I could only hope that meant she was done with her shift and was out in the kitchen or something. The bartender who served me would have been cute if I’d swung that way, but I smiled at him regardless and thanked him for the rum and coke he slid my way after flashing him my fake ID. It wasn’t long now until I wouldn’t need it, though my parents had opted to give me my inheritance at eighteen, so drinking was about the only perk I’d be receiving when my birthday rolled around.

I turned to head to the booth and nearly bumped into a redhead who looked vaguely familiar. She blew me a kiss and I smiled weakly when I realized she was the girl from the club who’d had on the golden eyeliner. That got me thinking about how badly I needed to add a gold to my repertoire, it had looked stunning on her.

“Who was that?” Jamie asked as soon as I sat down.

I took a gulp of my drink to avoid answering. I wasn’t sure why exactly I was hiding that I’d gone out the other night. Jamie had spontaneously driven to Phoenix to talk to a record producer and so she had no clue that I’d tried to let loose. I got the feeling that if I mentioned the pill I’d taken, she would disapprove. That would be a little hypocritical, of course, but I knew it would be coming from a place of concern.

“Oh, just someone I met a few nights ago.”

Her mouth opened, probably to grill me for more details and I tried to hide my grimace and then relief when Ryan distracted her. She was doing an excellent Kat impression, that was for sure. Normally my other friend was the one digging down to get all the juicy details. I knew it was a quality Jamie only tolerated, but I found it to be both endearing and sad. It made me wonder what had happened in Kat’s life that made her feel like she had to know absolutely everything as soon as she could. Either way, I didn’t really want to get into any of what had happened the other night with Jamie. Not now, at least.

She turned back toward me and a flash of sympathy crossed Ryan’s face as he glanced at me from beside her—he’d distracted her on purpose, clearly sensing my discomfort. Ugh. Such a nice guy. I cut Jamie off before she could even think to ask me anything else.

“So, Kit! How’s football going?” I said brightly and faltered when he leveled blue eyes the same shade as his sister’s on me as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

“Season’s over. It’s nearly the summer.”

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