Page 28 of Jagged Little Pieces

“What’s the point in them staying longer?” Coco asks, sounding grumpy suddenly. “They’re going to leave eventually.”

“Walla Walla thinks I should go back with him to McMurdo Valley. We didn’t get to really talk about that. But I can’t go back, right? That would be crazy. What would Suzanne and Hunter think? I’m foolish to even consider it.”

“Can I go with you?” Coco asks rather than talk sense into me. “I don’t have anything to do here if you’re not around.”

“If we did visit McMurdo Valley, you could get to know Goose better.”

“Ugh, she’s just awful.”

Sighing, I take her by the shoulders like she did with me. “You aren’t fooling anyone with your disinterested act, Coco.”

Her expression shifts immediately. “I want her to like me, but she doesn’t.”

“Well, if you stopped calling her stupid, she might warm up to you.”

“I know, right?” Coco whines and gets the same angsty expression I was probably wearing five minutes ago. “I don’t know what comes over me. She’s really attractive and has a cool vibe. I want her to pay attention to me, but she doesn’t. The people I want never like me. And the ones who like me are always weirdos with gross fetishes. If Goose did like me, I’d know she was into golden showers or something stupid. It’s just my luck.”

“Perhaps, we could talk them into staying longer. Like right now, everyone is nervous about these psychos. But once they’re dead or in jail, Walla Walla and Goose could stick around. Banta City has a lot of fun stuff to do. We could keep them busy and get to know them. Then, you can see if Goose is into weird stuff, and I’ll get used to the idea of a man seeing my fat ass.”

“I’ve seen your ass plenty, Austen. He’s going to love it.”

“And you’re really fun,” I say, playing with the ends of her soft, blonde hair. “I bet if you stopped poking at Goose, she’d react to how hot you are.”

“I didn’t even know you were into women,” Hunter says, turning the corner and scaring the shit out of us.

My sister frowns at how we squeal and jump at the sight of her. At her feet is my mom’s beloved orange Persian. Pudding looks at us with the same disdain he offers everyone. Despite his bitchy gaze, he can be quite the charmer.

“Aunt Fred is here with the brothers. Suzanne is waiting for you in the sunroom.”

“Thanks,” I say, feeling silly for squealing.

“Have you always been into girls?” she asks Coco. “Is that why you have such bad taste in men?”

“I’m open to anyone who will treat me right.”

“Does that biker lady treat you right?”

“No, she’s awful, but I think that’s mostly because I keep yelling at her.”

Hunter chuckles and shakes her head. “No offense but few women can get away with screaming at their lovers. Suzanne is probably the only woman in the state with that skill.”

Coco waves off the comment and then looks at me. “Should I go with you to this meeting?”

“No, probably not,” Hunter answers before I do. “Why not explore my closet and find something more attractive to wear?”

Coco looks at her jeans and simple T-shirt. “What’s wrong with this outfit?”

“You look like your aunt Pam.”

Coco narrows her eyes. “These are your sister’s clothes.”

“Yes, and she always dresses like she’s going to brunch with her granny friends. That’s not how you usually dress. I’m sure I left behind something nicer in my closet.”

Bailing on us, Coco goes to check out Hunter’s clothes. My sister’s high-rise condo offers breathtaking views and very little closet space. Most of her wardrobe remains at the estate.

Hunter and Pudding flank me as we walk across the estate.

“During Suzanne’s interrogation, Walla Walla mentioned more than once how he hoped you’d return with him.”

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