Page 69 of Filthy Little Pretties
Caroline smooths the front of her skirt, back ramrod straight.
“I was wrong to treat you the way I did.”
Jesus, that had to be hard as hell.Despite the bullshit the guys tried to sell me,thisis an olive branch. She’s dragging herself over the coals, as well she should. I want to say, “I’m happy our little talk sunk in,” but that would put us right back where we started, because it’s condescending, so instead, I say, “Water under the bridge, Caroline.”
“And thank you…for earlier today.”
Her ice-blue eyes connect with mine, and I know she means when I saved her from getting her ass expelled by the dean. Nodding, I turn my attention to Grey, who’s looking at me with appreciation all over his face.
“If the estrogen conversation is over…Can we get back to more important topics and discuss how savagely we’re going to hand Red Oak their asses tonight?” Ethan throws out, leaning over Caroline and lifting his hand for a high five.
Caroline reaches up and pulls his arms down as Kai sniggers. Her dramatic offense even pulls a quiet laugh from me. She’s been gone too long; Ethan’s forgotten who he’s messing with.
“You would think that’s important. Let me remind you, the only important event during the month of October is my birthday.”
“What about Halloween?” Ethan counters, doubling down.
Yikes. Kai connects eyes with me over the table, and I grin. Caroline is going to feast on his heart. She turns to Ethan, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“Classic pre-slaughter move,” Kai whispers over the table at me.
Liam chuckles, leaning back in his chair, entertained by Ethan’s stupidity. We all are, sitting silent. All we need is popcorn and we’d be complete. It’s like watchingNational Geographicand knowing the antelope will be killed.
“I need you to elevate to my level, Ethan. You’re killing my brain cells with every word. Remind me why you sit here? Because you’re the cock? Or you love cocks…I can never remember the jargon.”
Grey winks at me, as amused as Liam, bringing his hand underneath my hair and running his fingers up and down the back of my neck. I feel myself lean into his hand, but before I can analyze that, the show in front of us takes over.
Kai puts his chin on his hand and leans forward, as if he’s overly interested. “Do you love cock, Ethan? Because…me too.”
Ethan blushes, and I laugh loudly, as he mumbles about it being “coxswain” and how they aren’t funny.
“E. They’re only fucking with you.” I giggle. “But never forget a girl’s birthday trumps all. We tend to get pretty wicked over them.”
He rolls his eyes but nods and smiles, as I blow a kiss his way, before turning to Caroline. “Speaking of your party, is it a costume party? I haven’t read the invitation yet.”
“Good God no. The only costumes allowed are ones designed by the couture greats. Halston, Dior, Prada…you get the gist.”
I smile at the horror in her expression over the idea.
“Well then, I have a slinky deep red Valentino jumpsuit. Maybe with a high pony? Too much…not enough?”
“Red’s good on you.”
“Thanks. What are you wearing? I feel like you’d have it planned out.”
The guys are staring at us in quiet amazement, but this is how girls bury the hatchet. We talk about something that’s common ground, until we figure each other out, and since I can’t ask about the guys, clothes it is. She brushes her hair over her shoulder again, this time with excitement.
“Something lavish, outrageous, too dressy for the occasion. You know, so that nobody forgets.”
Liam glances up from scarfing his food, giving her a quizzical look. “Forgets what?”
Her lashes bat as her smile grows. “That I’m better.”
I let out another laugh, and she joins, but what’s funny is that she’s sincere. Grey’s stepsister is a handful.Maybe not friends, but allies. Allies I can do.
Liam wipes his mouth and throws his napkin down, before laying his arm across the back of my chair, right under Grey’s hand. He looks at Ethan and grins. “It’s going to be a massacre tonight.”
Caroline doesn’t say a word, shaking her head and looking at me. She’d never be mad at Liam. I get it—he’s impossible to be mad at. Grey removes his hand from my neck and high-fives Liam over my head. I laugh, ducking down, even though I’m clear of them.
