Page 207 of Vicious Saint
The bitch gasps, and with a middle finger I’m turning back to Archer. “So, bestie…where’d we leave off? Sharting?”
He shoves me. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.”
“Would’ve literally hated you forever if you didn’t.”
I really needed the laugh, even though I haven’t been as open about how serious Saint and I were, and how painful his betrayal was. As much as I judge the assholes’ facades, it’s becoming abundantly obvious that I’ve been using quite a few of my own.
Archer changes the subject, and the only reason I let him is because of who’s approaching, in all her cheery disposition, with a Birkin hanging off her forearm.
“Homecoming. Is. Awesome. Oh my gosh.” Theory struts past me with a sudden swing of the bag, grinning as she knocks the cup of soda from my hands onto the ground.
“That’s it.” I attempt to lunge, but Archer shoots an arm out.
“Yikes.” She winces, looking down at the mess. “My bad.”
I’ve got teeth grinding to dust as I glare at Theory, so tired of her petty retaliations.
Snarky comments. Lies.
Narcing on me to Archer’s grandfather when he and I would sneak drinks in the dorm.
“It was an honest mistake, I’m sure.” Mom smiles between us, trying to cut the tension.
I have half a mind to tell her I’d cut things myself.
But instead, I choose the high road her husband lives on, respecting him enough to grumble, “Whatever.”
A kindness I can tell Vic’s appreciative of when he mouths “I’ll talk to her.”
Guy better…because my patience, and kindness, is running thin.
Theory plops next to Vic, keeping whatever she’s saying to him hushed.
“You feeling a night out tonight…just the two of us?” Archer suggests, close enough for only me to hear.
With a glance at Carlo by the end of the row, I tell him, “Is anything ever just the two of us anymore?”
“At least the guy’s been keeping his distance.”
“Ten feet away in Victoria’s Secret?”
“Pretty sure it was fifteen.”
“Ugh, fuck my life.” I throw my head back, knowing damn well any fun we try to have tonight will be monitored by a paranoid bodyguard who’s getting worse by the day.
“Guess it’s a no…”
“I’m sorry, Arch. I know you need the distraction too.”
Although Riggs is gone, Archer still hasn’t eased up on his tension over whatever happened between them. Which, like almost everything else regarding the fire, he refuses to talk about.
Can’t push the guy, though. Not when I’m still leaving him in the gray about Saint.
“All good.”
“Movie night?”
He grins. “Only if I get to pick it.”
