Page 9 of Girl Violence

Getting up from the tree stump, Vince goes to walk away. Reaching out, Josette quickly grabs his arm. His eyes immediately drop to her hand, and he frowns at it. She quickly lets go, but she saw the reaction, enough for it to hurt just a little. “Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“We should follow him.”

“What?” One of Vince’s eyebrows rises before pulling together. “I couldn’t care less what that prick wants.”

He goes to walk away again, and panic squeezes Josette’s chest. She stops him once more, stepping in front of him this time to block his way. “You’ve been gone a long time. Austin’s not an enemy you want.”

Disgust creases his handsome features, and heat suddenly creeps up her neck at the judgement in his angry stare. “Since when do you answer to fucking Austin?”

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” she says quickly, knowing he thinks she’s been with him or wants to be. God no. Austin’s Jenna’s kind of crazy. But a lot happened after Vince left. Austin and his friends filled the void left gaping after he moved to London. Not that she’d ever tell Vince that. She’s only just realised it herself tonight. “Five minutes, and then we’ll leave.”

Vince’s jaw clenches. “Fine. But I’m not an enemy anybody wants either. He doesn’t scare me.”

“I know he doesn’t,” she mumbles, turning to walk after Austin. Vince’s words echo inside her head as he follows angrily behind. She doesn’t think she wants to know what he means by that.

Austin’s now next to two black cars and a smaller group of people. There’s a distance between them and the rest of the people partying. They’re older and stick to themselves mostly. Unless you’re into drugs and other things, you avoid them. But they’re the party hosts and usually the only ones that never get stopped by the police.

Standing next to Austin is his sister, Alyssa. She knows she’s gorgeous, but instead of it being admiring, it makes her come across as cocky. And she’s always been a bitch towards Josette and Jenna. Beneath an oversized denim jacket hanging off her shoulders, she’s wearing a tight black crop top, mini skirt, and knee-high boots.

When she spots Vince walking behind Josette, she pushes past Josette, hard enough to make her stumble, and takes hold of Vince’s arm, red lips stretching into a flirty smile. “Hey.”

“Don’t be desperate, Alyssa.” Ian steps forward to stand next to Austin. He’s another one Josette wanted to avoid tonight. While Austin is scary, something about Ian is terrifying, though she doesn’t know what. He’s not even as severe looking like Austin and some others standing around. In fact, he seems a bit like a hipster nerd. But it’s the feeling she gets around him. Like right now, his stare is creeping her out. “I thought you abandoned us, Josette, babe.”

“Don’t call me babe, and I’ve been busy.” She sees Vince glance at her briefly from the corner of her eye. There’s nothing between Ian and Josette. He’s a tattoo artist and once said he would love to use her body as a canvas. Josette’s not sure what that means, but she knows he isn’t coming near her body.

“Alyssa!” Austin hisses, who is still hanging onto Vince’s arm. With a dramatic sigh, she stomps away, taking her place back beside her brother. Austin puts his attention back on them. “So, are you two fucking yet?”

“Austin!” Josette’s cheeks flare with heat. What the fuck? “No.”

Ian steps forward and goes to hand a bottle of vodka to Vince as some kind of peace offering. Vince’s eyes lower to the bottle before he shakes his head.

“You don’t like vodka?” Ian asks, amusement in his eyes. It’s like he knows Vince doesn’t drink and is mocking him. He must have been watching them.

“I don’t drink.”

Austin looks confused. “Take a drink. It’ll do you some good. Maybe soften the stick up your ass.” Vince’s fists clench as Ian and Alyssa snicker. Josette takes a deep breath, her palms beginning to sweat. Austin turns his gaze on Josette when Vince says nothing. “You’re working in the library now?”

Her scalp prickles. That’s not something she wanted anybody in the group to know. “Who told you that?”

“I did,” Alyssa chimes in, looking at Josette with a sly grin.

“My dad made me. It’s basically punishment,” she quickly says, noticing Vince turn in her direction again, but she avoids him. She can see why it’d be amusing to the group that she now works in a library. It’s a bit lame.

“Where’s Jenna?” Josette knew Austin would ask about her, knowing it’s the real reason why he made them come over.

“Her parents sent her to Germany.”

His lips push together with displeasure. “Tell her to call me.” Josette nods, knowing there’s no point in getting into that.

“Why did you move back, Vince?” Alyssa asks in a sweet tone.

“I just did.” Josette can’t help but smile. It’s nice to know he isn’t just rude to her.

Austin looks annoyed, though. “Less of the attitude. You’re an outsider here.”

“Get real, Austin,” Josette snaps at him, getting pissed. He ignores her, eyeing Vince, who is now backing away. “Vince—wait.”

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