Page 59 of Girl Violence

“It sounds that way, and I do like him. Okay, you could say that I love him. I always have. But it’s notthatkind of love.”

“It’s okay. If it’s what you want and you’re okay with it, then go for it. I just want you to be careful. I don’t want you going through what Austin put me through. No commitment is a real bitch slap.” She pauses. “Anyway, since we’ve gotten all that out of the way, let’s go do something tonight.” Jenna stands, glancing around Josette’s living room. At what, she’s not sure. She says she likes her house better than hers because it’s ordinary. It’s anything but in Josette’s eyes. “There’s a party in a few hours. I want us to go.”

“Ugh—the parties have been shit lately. Boring music and lame people who suck the ‘F’ out of fun.”

“Please?” she begs. “You have me this time, so it will be fun. Just like old times.”

Josette sighs. “Fine.”

“Make sure you look super hot, though, okay? Dress and heels kind of hot.”

“Why?”

“You’re going to invite Vince to join us so I can analyse your relationship and meet the person who’s stolen you from me.”

Josette laughs. “First of all, there’s no relationship. Secondly, focus on your own head-wrecking casual situation and not mine. Thirdly, no one has stolen anyone from anyone.”

“I’m kidding. Or not. I’d like to meet him, though. He’s a big part of your life that you never mentioned. It’s a best friend duty.”

Josette gets that, but would it be too much asking him to a party after last night? He never said they couldn’t go out together, but aren’t there rules for this? As in, don’t ask the person out right after you screw them for the first time?

She glances at Jenna. “Okay. As long as you don’t disappear on me again.”

She hugs her. “I’m not going anywhere. Well, except to get my outfit. I look like I’m about to join a nunnery. We’ll get ready together.”

After she leaves, Josette heads upstairs, but she can’t shake the strange feeling that something will happen tonight. She just doesn’t know what.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

The bad feeling won’t disappear as Josette changes into a little black dress and a pair of heeled boots. She can’t be imagining it, but something feels off with Jenna. It isn’t obvious as they get ready, doing their hair and makeup and laughing like they used to. Getting done up as if they’re going somewhere glamorous and not to another stupid party that Josette swore to never go to again.

Josette has always found it hard to say no to her, especially when she hasn’t seen her best friend in so long. She’s hiding whatever is wrong well, but she forgets that Josette has seen her at her worst and knows when something isn’t right. She’s always been open with her, but she’s holding something back.

Or maybe Josette is just overthinking everything.

Going downstairs, she finds Jenna in the kitchen talking to her dad. She’s dressed in a silky dark red dress and strappy black heels, looking way too killer for the party they’re going to.

It’s awkward as Josette joins them since she hasn’t spoken to her dad since yesterday. He’s left her alone all day, staying in his study. Something she’s glad for because she doesn’t know what to say to him.

“You two look a little dolled up for a movie,” he says sceptically as he eyes them.

“You can never look too dolled up, Mr. Preston,” Jenna says respectfully. “And I didn’t say it wasjusta movie. It’s a girly night out, just the two of us. I hope you don’t mind?”

Josette keeps her expression neutral as her dad glances at her. “Well, I know Jo has missed you, so that’s okay. But no trouble, drinking, or staying out too late. And no getting into cars you don’t own.”

“You don’t have to worry,” Jenna assures him, turning and smiling at Josette.

“Do I have a curfew?” she asks him.

He shakes his head, trying to give her a little smile, telling her they’re okay. But that’s the thing, they’re not. They haven’t been in a long time, and this constant brushing things under the carpet isn’t working. “Just go have fun.”

“We will.” Jenna grabs Josette’s arm and pulls her away. When they get outside, the sun is just setting, and it’s starting to get dark.

It’s then she hears mutterings of harsh words. Diane tosses a set of keys at Vince with a scowl on her face. She then storms into the house and slams the door as he bends to collect them off the ground with an expression torn between guilt and relief.

“Is that him?” Jenna asks, and Josette nods, her heart pounding as she watches him shrug on a leather jacket and round a black mustang to the driver’s seat.

Wait—Since when does he have a car?

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