Page 55 of Delightful Sins

The other girl steps in front of Barbie, tall enough to hide her.

“A sweet girl is asking how you are. Is there a reason you’re being a dick about it, Jade?”

“Rose,” Barbie groans, sidestepping to reappear in my field of vision. “No need to get defensive.”

“Funny how you all know my name and give a shit about me, when I have no idea who any of you are.” The corner of my lips lift in amusement. “Fans, maybe?”

Rose chuckles. “Yeah, we want to be front row when the Kings finally get rid of you.” It feels like a mocking statement about my situation rather than something she really wants.

“I don’t,” Barbie fights back. “I just wanted to know if you’re okay, and also tell you that you’re an amazing racer.”

“And I just want to state I don’t give a shit if you’re okay or not, but you are, in fact, an amazing racer.”

I shrug. “Thanks.” I look deep into Barbie’s hazel eyes. “You’re nice.” When she smiles brightly, I add, “In a creepy way.”

“Oh.” Her smile drops.

“Where do I know you from?” I ask Rose.

“Lik. I’m his girlfriend.”

“Right. Your boyfriends are brothers.” I shake my head, barely believing what I’m about to say. “You two are basically NSC and you’ve been the nicest people to me this week.”

“Xi left NSC,” Barbie reminds me quickly. Like it’s the proudest thing she could say tonight.

I nod. “The pink door.”

“So cute, right?” she giggles.

Rose and I exchange a look. “Yeah, Alex is cute like that. Right, puppy?” Rose says, messing Alex’s hair.

“Oh, shut up,” she laughs.

A small smile creeps onto my face. These two are way too different to get along, and weirdly, it makes me feel like I can get along with them too.

My phone buzzes, and Elliot’s name appears on the screen again. “I have to go,” I mumble. “Gotta get in a fight with Elliot.”

Alex nods. “Hey, take my number.”

“Your number?”

I can see she thinks twice about what to say next. Instead of saying that we should hang out, which she seems to understand would push me away, she just says, “Yeah, so you can let us know when you race next. I’m your biggest fan now.”

I don’t make friends anymore. I don’t trust people who say they have your best interest in mind and then let you down when you come for help. When you tell them your secret, your fear, what truly happened to you, and they call you a liar for it.

But I like to believe she just wants to be there for my next race.

“Here,” I say, grabbing her phone and putting my number in it.

I eye Rose, silently asking if she’s going to give me her phone number too.

“Don’t make this awkward for the both of us,” she chuckles.

“Agreed,” I answer as I walk away.

“I’ll create a group chat,” I hear Alex cheer to Rose as I get near my car again.

I’m about to open the door, when someone slams their hand on it, forcing it shut. I whip around, ready to punch them in the face.

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