Page 144 of Resurrection
"Let’s not pretend we’re friends," Naomi says sternly.
"We could never be friends, princess," he tells her, leaning in.
I shove him away. "Don’t you dare."
He takes a step back, probably not wanting to be humiliated again. "Guess you’re finally not too good for the rest of us, huh, Brady."
"Fuck off," I hiss out.
Lachlan’s smile is too big, like he thinks he’s charming, like he thinks he’s in charge. "Tyler Brady. Always the cocky asshole who believes he’s better than everyone."
"You’re confusing me with yourself."
"Your entourage looks bored, Pratt," Naomi jumps in smoothly. "Better get back before they find another clown."
Lachlan’s jaw tics.
"Come on." I snake my arm around Naomi’s waist and steer us away from that douchebag.
"He’s going to make a scene before the night ends," she whispers as we weave through the tables.
"You think?"
"I know. Jerk can’t help it."
"Seems like it."
"You okay? If we need to take off…"
"No," I insist. "I told you I’d win the bet."
"Well, you showed up. You suffered through an hour of catching up with our former classmates. I think it’s safe to say you did win it."
"So I get my wish?"
She rolls her eyes, leaning into me, our shadows mingling under the gym’s buzzing lights. "You get your wish."
"Anything?"
"Yes."
Another round of hellos, another group of old friends I barely recollect, then fresh air and the nighttime sky as we slip outside, dodging the heat and the history.
That’s when we see Adri. The goddamned wrecking ball.
He’s by the door, talking to some of the guys in uniform, probably laying out security plans, but his eyes latch onto us immediately.
He dismisses the others with a nod and makes his way over, dark and fierce as the desert at night. My hand tenses around Naomi’s, and she knows. Sheknows because I can’t keep my heart from thundering, from worrying I’m about to blow everything I’ve managed to piece together.
She lets go, walking a little ahead, meeting Adri halfway with a smile I’m not expecting.
"Is this the city’s new look?" she teases. "Shiny badge but same grumpy face."
"Very funny, Shrimp." His hard glance drifts past her to land on me. "Figured you two would skip this."
"We’re all about nostalgia these days." She’s casual, so sure of herself, like she’s not caught in a three-way trainwreck.
"Huh." He pauses, his gaze flicking back to her. "Guess you’ve gone completely insane, then."
