Page 98 of Vicious Saint
“Relax, Stan.” She winks at me. “He knows to make them virgin.”
This time, it’s her who has me laughing.
“So…spill,” she presses.
I weigh the scales long enough for Benson to prepare our Coladas, knowing if there ever was a time to come clean to Theory, it’d be now, when her brother isn’t here and she can get my side of thewholestory.
Or at least, like, fifty percent.
I’m almost convinced, but then her wide chestnut eyes light up with the sight of fruity drinks being handed to us, and I can’t help but feel like I’d be ruining the only great thing to come out of this mess.
I found a new friend in Theory, even though there’s still reluctance on my end. Plus, I’ve said sorry to her in my head like a million times, that’s got to count for something.
She takes a long, satisfied sip, and I do the same, deciding I will continue to make amends indirectly to protect our growing relationship.
“I said something to piss him off, now he hates me.”
Her face falls. “Girl, c’mon? That’s all you got?”
I hike a shoulder. “It was really fucked up.”
Theory concedes with a nod. “I get it, I’ve said my fair share of fucked up things to someone too.”
Someone…as in a certainbiblical sea monster?
I’m itching for the tea but am in no position to drink it. So, instead, I offer a sip of unsolicited advice.
“Well, don’t beat yourself up too hard for being human.”
“True.” She slurps through the straw. “But I still haven’t even said I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, neither did I.”
“Do you hate my brother too?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely. He’s done way more shitty things to me. Most of which I’ll never forgive.”
“He’s not all bad, Hendrix.” She pauses, thinking. “I mean, yeah, Saint can be pretty scary and mean. But his heart is in the right place.”
I raise a brow, and she lets out a huff.
“Most of the time.”
“I was literally on a bed with another dude. Half naked. He embarrassed the shit out of me.”
She nods in solemn agreement. “I know. But he had his reasons.”
“Other than making me a sexual pariah?”
“No. Lance sucks. Trust me. The guy just got out of prison for beating up his ex-girlfriend.”
“Prison? He told me he was in college?”
“Exactly. We hate him. In fact, his entire family too. They just get under Saint’s skin easier than mine.”
Yeah, well, he sure made up for it by getting under his.
I bite the tip of my straw, curious to know more. “Why?”
