“You used to,” Natalie retorts.
“Yeah, when I was nineteen and too young to even be in them.” Annabelle scoffs. “I’m too old for that shit.”
“I’ve never liked clubs either,” Lily pipes in, smiling at Annabelle.
I’m not sure what to make of their relationship. They seem friendly enough, but this is the first time I’ve seen them interact in the two months I’ve been here. Honestly, I’ve never seen Lily spend time with anyone other than her kid or the patrons in the diner.
Natalie huffs a laugh. “That’s not surprising, Miss ‘I don’t drink.’”
Lily’s head cocks. “And there’s a problem with that?”
Annabelle chuckles, but it comes out pinched. “Come on, guys.”
Natalie takes a drink from her martini. “I mean… don’t you ever want to have somefun?”
Lily laughs, the sound hollow as it rings through the air. “I’ve had enough fun to last me a lifetime.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Natalie rolls her eyes.
My stomach sours. “Annabelle, areallyour friends gigantic cunts?”
Natalie’s head whips toward me. “Excuseme?”
“You’re a bitch.” I shrug. “I’m just trying to figure out if it’s because you feel threatened by her.” I nod my head toward Lily. “Or if it’s just woven into your personality.” I rest my elbows on the table. “Let me clue you into something. The only reason we aren’t having anyfunis because you’re here.”
Natalie’s jaw drops and she looks to Annabelle. “Thisis the company you’re keeping these days, Belle?”
Annabelle glances at Lily, then me, and then back to Natalie. “They’re my friends,” she says slowly.
Natalie’s lips thin. “Jesus, when did you turn into such a drag?” She slams the rest of her drink before standing and grabbing her purse.
Annabelle nods, exhaling a slow breath. “Before you go… it’s only fair you know the answer to his question, in case it ever gets brought up again. You are definitelyalwaysa bitch.”
Natalie’s eyes turn into slits. “You’re pathetic.Don’tcall me again.”
She leaves and for a few moments the table is silent. Then, Lily drops her head in her hands, shoulders shaking, a bubbly sound coasting through the air and wrapping around my insides. She looks up, tears streaming down her face from how hard she’slaughing.
A grin breaks across my face, and I grab the toothpick from my mouth, pointing it at her. “You always cause this kind of trouble?”
“Me?” She points to her chest, speaking through her giggles. “What didIdo? You’re the one who… who called her a—a cunt.”
Annabelle chuckles, reaching over and grasping Lily’s hand across the table. “I’m sorry she was such a bitch to you.” She glances toward the door. “She used to be alright. I don’t know what happened to make her so bitter.”
Lily sighs, wiping her face with the back of her hands, the laughter dying down. “It’s okay. I’m sure it had more to do with her than me. There’s bitterness in all of us.”
My head tilts, curiosity a blazing inferno rising inside me.
“Well… tonight was a bust, huh? Sorry we drove all the way down here.” Annabelle sighs. “We can go back to my place and watch a movie or something if you guys want?”
“Sounds good to me,” I say.
Lily’s gaze narrows. “I thought you said you had business in Phoenix.”
I shrug. “And?”
“And you’re just gonna hop on that bike and follow us back to Raindale when you’re already down here?”
I spin my ring around my finger. “Are you saying you don’t want my company, little bird?”