Page 40 of Regaining Integrity

“That’s true.” She sits back. “I do remember all of you. Even with you a couple of years ahead of me, I still knew who each of you were.”

Except Jody.I keep that to myself. Jody was touring the world as her sister’s lackey, but it seems she’s gotten to know her quickly, seeing as she and Holt haven’t been here for long.

I scratch the back of my head under my hat. Why is it that Patience can remember Angie from high school but I can’t? I wasn’tthatdrunk and out of it in school not to remember someone like her.

“It would still be nice to officially meet everyone. I think it would be nice to have a big get-together. If you don’t mind including me and my friend Lorelei, that is?”

“No, you don’t.” Will’s deep rumbling laughter ripples over the top of the fire. “When you get all of them together, something is bound to go wrong.”

“We’ve grown up,” I defend.

“Yeah, we would behave,” Patience adds much to Duke’s amusement.

“As long as Snowflake doesn’t drink, we’ll be fine.” Holt laughs before launching into a story about something we got up to thanks to Patience’s brilliance.

“I beg to differ.” Valerie cuts in. “You six were destructive.”

“You’re forgetting Mercy and Daxon,” I quip, but all of us share a look.

“We can’t deny it, though,” Duke finally replies.

“Wedidget into a lot of trouble,” I point out.

“Just because Patience was our general and knew how to get us where it counted to do stupid shit … our pride.” Holt continues.

Patience doesn’t speak, only tilts her head and rubs her belly. Her eyes are glazed over as if she’s lost in a memory. Angie’s body leans against my arm, and I wish so badly we were alone. I said I’m willing to try the whole relationship thing, but going without sex is something I’m struggling with. Especially with her body enticing me.

“Is she okay?”

“Lost in thought, it’s a typical look for the little blonde,” I whisper back. “Don’t worry, give her a moment, and she’ll be back with us.”

“Okay.” Instead of going back to sit fully in her seat, she cuddles up to me. I usually prefer my own space, but with her, it feels nice having another person using me for comfort.

“Do you guys remember senior prom?” Angie stiffens and pulls away from me slightly. Before I can react to her sudden change, Duke speaks up.

“Who could forget?” I can see Duke’s face pale even with the lights and shadows of the evening and fire dance across his face. “You beat the shit out of my date.”

“And you poured the spiked punch down the front of mine.” I laugh. That was the same night I broke up with Cera.

“Mine ran away in tears.” Holt lifts a finger so we don’t forget the dressing down the girl got from our feisty snowflake.

“And who could forget you almost set this very field ablaze, and Dad nearly killed you.” Will pipes up, likely remembering the glory he got for playing firefighter and putting it out before it got out of control.

We all mumble in agreement. I passed out after Cera demanded I take her back to the house to sleep in an actual bed instead of the tent I had set up earlier that day. She stormed off right as I was closing my eyes.

It wasn’t the last party we had before we left. We ended with the huge graduation party. My parents nearly killed me for that one for passing out and not keeping an eye on things.

“I haven’t thought about that in years.” I chortle.

“I was so glad you had finally washed your hands of Cera that night.” Patience pins me with a look. She never liked my taste in girls or women, especially Cera. She never hid her feelings either.

Cera was a manipulative bitch who always played games with me in order to prove my feelings for her. The stupid shit I did just to get some ass from her and it wasn’t even that great. Prom was the last straw with the shit she had me do just for her to be my date.

The poor girl who must hate my guts now because of Cera.

I don’t know if this does any good in my defense, but I was drunk off my ass that day.

Shaking my head, I look over at Angie. Her blue eyes lack any and all humor I’m feeling with reminiscing with my friends. The flames give a hint of life to them with the horror floating in the depths of her gaze.

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