Page 62 of Lochlan

“God, I wish I was there. Next to their pasta, I love their chocolate tiramisu. You're stalling. No more background information; get to what happened.”

“I'm just trying to set the scene. After we finished our dessert, Poppy made a little speech about why we were all there, then asked who wanted to go first with their report. I was already about to say something when Livi stood up to address the group. She said she had accomplished her mission, and the proof was on her phone.”

Pru sits up, settling next to me against the headboard. “Seriously, her proof was a sex tape? I never asked…what did you bring?”

“I brought a letter from Lochlan. He fabricated a love letter, and we took some pictures with his family this weekend.”

“Aw, that sounds sweet. What did he say in this letter?”

I shrug. “I don't know, I haven't read it.”

“Okay, that's another thing we can unpack later. Get to the good part.”

“Poppy asked me if I completed my mission. I told her and the rest of the squad that Lochlan and I never connected because I wasn't his type.”

Pru stares at me, mouth agape, like she's in suspended animation. She swallows. “You had the proof in your hand and said nothing? What were you thinking?”

“That was the problem. I was overthinking it. Livi proudly declared that she had slept with Douglas Foxton and was even willing to provide intimate details on tape, not only for Poppy, but for everyone in the squad.”

“But your proof was nothing like that.”

“I don't know what's in that letter, but at that moment, I didn't want to share it. I didn't want Poppy or anyone in the squad cackling over the words he wrote me. Poppy sent me to use him, without a thought to his feelings, and I went along with that madness. What would we have thought if the roles were reversed, and a bunch of guys sent him to seduce me? It didn't feel right, and it didn't feel right being a part of the club. That night, Crimson Beaches lived up to their nickname of the Red Bitches. Poppy dismissed me, saying that she'd think about my not completing the challenge, but it didn't matter. I didn't want to be there anyway.”

Pru closes her eyes, then leans back against the headboard until her head bangs lightly. Each thump sounds like a confirmation of her disappointment with me. “What are you going to do now?” she asks.

“After the holidays, I'll look for a new club.”

Her eyes pop open. “Before you do that, let me talk to Poppy. Maybe she'll make an exception. Crimson Beaches will lose one of their best talents if you go.”

“Thanks for offering, but I don't want you to do that. You might jeopardize your spot in the club and I don't want that. Besides, you need to look at it from Poppy's perspective. I put off attending court for a long time and she might see my failure to complete the challenge as undermining her authority. That's dissension in the ranks. Poppy can't have anarchy.”

“That's why she's called the Red Queen. She's thrown out players who refused to follow her rules. But Kenzie,” she whines, “It won't be the same without you. Hell, it'll be unbearable without you.”

“I'll miss you. I just want to let you know that I'm looking at clubs in Southern California, too. If I choose one of those clubs, I'll give you plenty of time to find another roommate.”

“This can't happen. I don't care what you say, I'm going to get you and Poppy in a room alone, so you can talk it out. This can't be the end.”

I slide off the bed. “Do whatever you want. I'm willing to meet with Poppy, but I'm over it.”

“I will not let you throw away your chance to be her partner.”

“I don't think she knows how to partner, only how to rule.”

Pru chuckles. “If I can pull this off and put you together, you'll be on an equal footing. Maybe she could think of a lesser challenge for you to perform.”

I throw up my hands. “No more challenges. Wherever I go next, they'll have to accept me on my merit. Let's forget about Poppy. What movie do you want to watch?”

Pru bounces off the bed. “I think we have popcorn and even some cookie dough ice cream in the freezer. Let's binge some series and eat until we pass out from junk food.”

It's good to have Pru back. We eat and watch TV until we fall asleep on the couch. Funny, all the time we spend giggling atGossip Girl, there are questions unanswered between us. After going through my challenge with Crimson Beaches, I wonder what challenge Pru was given. She completed her initiation before I arrived at the club and the initiated only talk about those fucking rituals with each other. I've asked Pru several times, but she refuses to talk about it.

I won't wait for a partnering opportunity to be dropped on my doorstep. I'm going to take an active role in finding someone who will partner with me so that we can pursue our goals together.

* * *

I wakeup from my food-induced haze around one o'clock in the morning. Pru is snoring softly on the other end of the couch with her arm around a bowl of popcorn. I pull the bowl away and head for the kitchen. I dump the popcorn into the bin and place the bowl in the sink.

Pru looks comfortable on the couch, but now it's time to encourage her to sleep in her own bed. Before I skirt the counter, my gaze falls on a pile of letters that I brought in this morning. It's mostly junk, but there is a white envelope with a red crest.

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