Page 144 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
“They own a jet?”
“I don’t know, actually.” I pull the phone away from my ear and turn to Torren as he steps out of the suite to join me in the hallway. “Do you own the jet?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. We just charter one when we need it.”
“Boring,” Glory says, overhearing him, and I laugh.
“Did you get the tickets for the shows?”
“Oh my god, yeah, thank you so much. I can’t believe it. Bummer we’re gonna miss night one, but this is still so amazing. Can I get a picture with the band? Everyone is going to be so fucking jealous that I get to be there two nights in a row.”
“We can get a picture, but don’t say fucking, Glory.” She sighs dramatically, but she doesn’t argue, so I change the subject. “What are you doing right now? Walking your dumb dog?”
“Oh, I actually just left Bruno’s!”
“The store?” I arch a brow in question even though she can’t see me. What’s Glory doing at my old job? It’s too far from the house for groceryshopping. The only reason I shopped there was because of the employee discount. “Why were you at the store?”
“Oh, you know...Browsing...”
There’s a pregnant pause, and a whisper of unease skates down my spine. My steps halt, leaving me frozen in the middle of the hallway. Glory’s overly casual tone has me in full-blown big sister mode. I don’t trust her when she’s draped in faux-innocence, and I don’t have the patience for her theatrics.
“Glory Bell, what did you do?”
“Nothing. Honest...” Another intentional pause. Another dramatic sigh. I brace myself for what comes next. “I justaccidentallyspilled an entire extra-large blue raspberry slushie on the magazine rack, is all. Then I dropped two dozen eggs and one of those glass half-gallons of the expensive chocolate milk on the floor. Eggs and glass and chocolate milk everywhere. Buncha magazines ruined, too. I’m such a silly, clumsy girl. Poor Quinton had to clean it all up by himself.”
My jaw drops at the fake contrition in her voice. At theverythinlyveiled pride.
“Glory Bell! Tell me you didn’t do that on purpose.”
“Bet your ass I did! And I’d do it again. That douche nozzle deserves worse for what he said about you in that stupid tabloid. He’s lucky I didn’t glue his big fat stinking mouth shut.”
I gasp. My sister is a tiny devil. That’s what she is. A tiny little revenge monster, and I’m flabbergasted.
“Did Quinton think it was an accident?”
She snorts. “No. He’s a jerk but he’s not an idiot. Dwayne did, though, so that’s all that matters. I cried real good. You’d be proud. Really sold it and didn’t have to pay for any of the damaged stuff.”
“What the hell were you going to do if hedidtry to make you pay for it?”
Her voice is saccharine when she responds. “I’d just tell him I washard up for cashand couldn’t pay it. After all, that’s what Quinton toldThe Star.”
Oh my god.She’s ridiculous. She’s an evil mastermind.
I bark out a laugh and shake my head. “You’re kind of scary, you know that?”
She giggles. “I know, right?”
My cheeks hurt from smiling and my heart is flooded with warmth. My sister is ruthless and out to defend my honor. Wreaking havoc to avenge my name. She’s nuts and unpredictable, but she loves me.
“Thanks, Glor,” I say with another laugh. “I know I should probably tell you that was not acceptable behavior, but...well...just thanks.”
“No problem. It’s the least I could do since you gave me the Coach clutch you found in that thrift store near the pier.”
I gasp. “Glory! I didn’t say you could have my Coach clutch.”
“Oh, well, look at the time. I need to go clean egg yolk off your sneakers. Love you! See you in a few days! Bye!”
The line goes dead. I pull the phone back to stare at the screen in disbelief.
