Page 50 of Stabby Little

Thursday, May 21st

“You have to try it."

I'm in a better mood today. The sun is shining through wispy clouds. The grass is warm and soft on my feet, and the flowers surrounding me actually smell good for a change.

The ones in Central Park smell like somebody peed on them. I know I shouldn't denigrate a public park like that, but a boy can only take so much.

I tried to pick a rose for the vase on our coffee table to make up for the severed hand fiasco. It was pretty, but it smelled worse than the limb.

How the fuck is that possible?

"I'm not trying that." I glance at the drink in Sparrow's hand. "It looks disgusting."

"Come on." Sparrow shakes his glass. "There's a sprig of mint in here. I know how much you like mint."

"I don't like mint." My stomach churns. "I told Jack I liked mint because he brought Girl Scout cookies for us one time. I only wanted the cookies."

"It's an adult beverage." Finn puts his hands on his hips. "It's not like that disgusting hand you brought us. This lemonade is packed with alcohol and nutrients. It's exactly what you need to get your mind off things."

"Things?" This comes out slightly sassier than intended. I don't care. Sparrow's glass looks like urine and I don't want to risk tasting it.

"You know what things." Finn's eyes turn to slits. "You can't hide from us. We know everything."

"He means when you stalked your best friend's Dad and left before he came to the door." Callum steals a sip of Sparrow's lemonade. "Thosethings. Don't be a wimp. My Daddy's lemonade is delicious."

A full figure steps into the garden. "You can say that again, sweetie. I incorporated my special ingredient."

Sparrow waggles his eyebrows. "What's that?"

"Rum." Benedetto shakes a liquor bottle he tugs out from behind his back. "Lots of rum. My baby boy loves his alcoholic beverages."

Sparrow, Finn, and I are at Callum's estate in the Hamptons. Callum's two friends Rusty and Arlo are also here, but they're freshening up in the bathroom. When Callum invited us to stop by, I jumped at the chance.

It's not every day we have a reunion. In the warehouse, we promised we'd be each other's BFFs when we broke free, but we weren't sure that'd happen. The fact that we're together is wonderful.

That's when the sound of a high-pitched bark reaches my ears. A furry blur rushes out of the doorway and crashes into my feet.

"Pickles," a boyish voice shouts. A redhead bursts onto the patio and grabs the puppy currently assaulting me. Okay, fine, assaulting is a strong word. Attacking me with slobbery kisses is more accurate. I'm not exactly a puppy kisses type of boy—my heart is way too dark for that. I need a shower. "Get back here. You need to finish your bath."

"Damnit, dog." A brown-haired boy wearing an alien T-shirt stomps onto the patio. "We said you couldn't meet Callum's friends until you were clean. You're messier than before."

Callum snorts. "This is a fabulous introduction. Arlo and Rusty, meet Ollie, Sparrow, and Finn."

Rusty peers at me through his mop of red hair. "Hmmm. These boys look a little scary. Are you sure you know them?"

Arlo jabs Rusty's ribs. "Be polite. Callum wouldn't invite them to Benedetto's estate unless he could vouch for their character."

Sparrow rushes toward the puppy. "We have fabulous characters," he drawls, scratching the dog's chin. "We attend Sunday school every weekend and we never tell lies."

"That's right." Finn smirks. "We're the best boys in New York. We put Catholic altar boys to shame."

"Knock it off." I march over to my two friends, who are being rather rude. "Callum's friends weren't expecting to meet a trio of assholes." I extend my hand. "It's nice to meet you, Arlo and Rusty. Callum's told me great things about you."

Benedetto flashes me a thumbs up. "Keep talking. I'll head back inside and bring out my famous cookies."

"Benedetto makes the best cookies." I don't think Rusty's ever sounded more serious in his life. "Try them with the rum lemonade. They're good."

I glance at the lemonade and shake my head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'll take my cookies with a glass of milk."

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