Page 44 of Heresy

Still, my father’s rules and my view of myself within this world hasn’t made me a victim by any stretch of the imagination. And I’m not a pushover either. I may keep to myself more than most people and avoid large crowds, but if faced with a dangerous situation or a person trying to take advantage, I know how to defend myself.

That’s what most people don’t realize about me. I may hide from the world, but I don’t allow the world to hide from me, and it certainly won’t sneak up on me.

“You ready?”

As ready as I ever am for another night at the club.

Pushing to my feet, I grab my keys off her bed where I’d dropped them earlier. “Let’s do this.”

The entire drive to Myth is made in comfortable silence. I’m not quite sure what’s going on in Ames’s head. Her thoughts can be a little weird and out there sometimes, so I’m always afraid to ask.

We’re about a quarter mile from the club when she finally lets me in on what she’s thinking.

“You should put the book down tonight, Brin. Mingle. Get to know more people other than those snooty authors you’re always reading.”

I roll my eyes and sigh. A slow, rhythmic click sounds in the car from my turn signal as we wait to take a left onto the side street leading to Myth.

“First, I don’t read the authors. I read the books. Second, they are usually textbooks or required reading for class. You know, to study? That thing you wait until the last minute to do while panicking.”

A faint chortle shakes her shoulders. “Right. That. You should do less of that tonight.”

Jokes on her. I’d already planned on doing less of that. In fact, tonight I have two of my classmates meeting me. Sure, it’s to discuss an upcoming school project over a few drinks. But it’s technically socializing.

“Brenna and Naomi are coming out tonight. They should already be there when we arrive.”

Wide violet eyes snap my direction. “You made friends?” She claps, and I want to smack her. “I’m so proud of you.”

Well, not friends.

Acquaintances.

Classmates.

But maybe they can become friends. I haven’t had much time to gauge them. And since I’m not the type to simply trust every person I meet, it usually takes time for me to open up and relax around people.

The same can’t be said for my friendship with Ames. It seems like the second I agreed to tutor her, she took a battering ram to the front door of my bubble and simply waltzed into my private sanctum before crowning herself my best friend.

Extroverts are like that, unfortunately.

“Yeah,” I agree while not filling her in on the full truth of it. “It should be a fun night.”

She’s grinning from ear to ear as we turn left and are traveling at a safe speed toward Myth. I can’t help but notice I’m going five over the posted speed limit, so my foot taps the brake to make sure I don’t get pulled over.

“I’ll have to run downstairs during one of my breaks so I can meet them. You know, feel them out and make sure they’re approved for my bestie.”

“Right, right,” I answer, wondering how in the hell I’m going to keep her from knowing thesefriendsare actually just something for school.

I don’t have a lot of time to wonder that because we close the distance to Myth within a few minutes, the lot practically full so I have to park in a spot far from the front door.

After killing the engine, I pull the key from the ignition. “We’re only ten minutes late tonight. Granger should be happy about that.”

Ames laughs. “He’s never happy about anything.”

She’s not wrong about that. But it doesn’t hurry our steps as we cross the parking lot and wave to Patrick when he opens the door for us.

As usual, Ames runs off to prepare the rest of the way for work, and I’m happy to spot Brenna and Naomi already waiting in a booth for me near the dance floor. I motion for them to give me a second as I approach the bar to order a drink.

“Your usual?” Harrison asks, his eyes meeting mine, crinkled at the corners.

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