Page 145 of You're so Bad

Shauna’s finishing up her lesson—teaching people to make snake bowls so they can scare the kids who stop by their houses for candy—so I’ve been shooting the shit with Burke and Shane in the hallway outside The Clay Place. Constance, Delia, and Mira are all taking the clay class, so they’re locked up too.

Burke’s got on his Prince Eric costume. I’d poke fun at him for being a chump, but Tiger only agreed to dress as a hot tiger if I’d come as her prey, so I got makeup on that’s been frightening kids all night. Which means I have no room to talk.

“Where’s Danny?” Burke asks. “He wandered off about an hour ago, and I haven’t seen him since.”

“Hiding,” Shane says with a grin. “This isn’t his scene.”

Shane is dressed up like…a lawyer is my best guess, because he’s wearing one of his damn suits.

Burke laughs, his gaze shooting toward The Clay Place. “He probably figures he should get peace and quiet while he can.”

Mira’s moving in with him this weekend, on account of Burke and Delia having finally moved into their house. Danny has said he’s fine with the arrangement so many times it’s obvious he’s not looking forward to it.

Burke rocks on his feet. “Maybe this was a mistake.”

“I think it’ll be good for him,” Shane suggests. “Keep him on his feet.”

“If it doesn’t work out, I can find her another place.”

She wouldn’t let him do that. I happen to know that both she and Danny have insisted on paying rent to Burke now that he isn’t living in the apartment anymore. Burke isn’t happy about it, but he won’t tell them no. He knows when someone’s dignity is on the line.

“I’ll go find him,” I offer, patting my buddy on the back.

It takes me a minute, because I stop to peep into the window of The Paint Place to check on Reese. He’s helping Rafe lead a class painting a black cat slinking along a wall—a Reese original of Bean, I’m proud to say. I make a big show of waving at him, and he looks like every embarrassed kid who’s called out by a family member. It makes my chest feel warm and toasty inside.

Finally, I get a bead on Danny. He’s found what has to be the only quiet corner in this joint and parked a chair there. He’s sitting with a hot cider that smells like whiskey, so I’m guessing he’s got a flask on him.

“My girl’s a genius,” I tell Danny. “Isn’t she a genius?”

He smirks at me. “She makes a mean clay dick, I’ll give her that.”

I gave it to him for his birthday a couple of weeks back, and he looked at it for a solid ten seconds before he burst out laughing.

“We made it together,” I tell him now.

“Just tell me you didn’t have sex over it.”

“No promises. Don’t be stingy, brother,” I tell him, pointing to the drink.

He smirks at me. “You’re good at smelling out whiskey.” Then he hands the flask to me under the table.

I take a swig before handing it back. “You hiding from the fun?”

“I’ve got something on my mind.”

“Is it Mira moving in? Because I have a feeling she’s gonna knock you on your ass. We all have money running on which of you is gonna try to kick the other out.”

“Good to know,” he says with a laugh. “But no.” He plays with the top of his cider cup. “I just found out that Daphne works for the company that wants to buy the game. She’s the one Drew and I’d be dealing with.”

It takes me a moment to place the name. Daphne. The one who got away.

I whistle. “You’re thinking about what Josie said.”

“I am,” he admits with a slight nod. Then he takes another swig from the drink. “I need to change her mind about me. This is my chance to show her I’m a different man.”

“But you’re not,” I point out.

He shakes his head, almost smiling but not quite. “No. I guess I’d better start changing.”

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