Page 47 of Dirty Roxie
“That’s not exactly what I said,” Daria argues.
I cross my arms over my chest and turn to face her. Ready for a standoff if that’s what it’s going to take. I’m not stupid, my feelings will be met with resistance, whether or not they mean it maliciously.
Reed comes up behind me, putting his arms around my waist. I lean back into him, but it’s stiff and not as natural as I would have liked. Or would have hoped. “Your feelings are absolutely as important as hers. They are as important as anyone’s.”
“Don’t go defending her yet,” Daria tells him. “She’s decided she’s mad at you too.”
“Oh yeah, for what?” Reed nuzzles the top of my head with his nose, obviously only halfway listening. This will not go well.
Hi, my name is Quinn—public enemy number one.
“For not rescuing her sooner,” Daria announces.
You know how in those moments when someone drops a verbal bomb, and it’s like all time stands still and you just want to run from the tension because there’s no other way to break it?
Yeah, me too.
Reed turns to stone. His arms drop from around me as he straightens to his full height. The silence is overwhelming. And unfortunately, it’s Reed who finally breaks it. “Yeah? Well, I can’t blame her. She fucking should be.”
He turns and leaves the room. Then, if the door slamming is any indication, the suite as well.
Tears well in my eyes. I don’t want to cry. Not now, and definitely not in front of everyone here. Because I’ve just turned all these people from my champions to my near adversaries. They won’t take kindly to being blamed for not doing a good deed good enough. And who can blame them?
I bury my head in my hands and try to will away the drops sliding down my cheeks. Roxie tries to pull me into a hug, but I can’t decide if that will make me feel better or not.
Daria rolls her eyes. “I’ll go get him.”
“No,” Mack says. “You stay here. Fix this.” He gestures to me. “I’ll get him.”
Daria crosses her arms over her chest and stares at Roxie and me. All I feel is relief when I see her eyes soften. Daria is my rock, my foundation, and even though I blame her for not finding me sooner, I don’t think I could live without her in my life. And not if I didn’t have her friendship.
Ronan comes in from the balcony at the same time the door shuts after Mack. “Okay, dinner should be here in just a moment.” He looks at us, moving from face to face, brow furrowed, and asks, “What the hell did I miss?”
