Fierce(76)

I mean, where the hell is he? What is he doing? Why hasn’t he said anything? I’d expect at least a text message, but he couldn’t even be bothered to let me know everything was all right.

I’m getting pissed just thinking about it. What the fuck could be so important that he couldn’t wait one freaking day just to support his girlfriend during a freaking funeral reception?

I snort. Girlfriend. I let the word fly through my mind so often, and yet I’ve never even heard it come out of his mouth. Am I even his girlfriend? Everyone calls me that, except him, which is what matters the most.

God, what a time to think about these things.

I clear my throat and walk out of the room. I need to get out of here, fast.







Stepping into my room, I notice Evie sitting there on her bed, staring at the wall. She looks up at me before sighing and flicking her eyes back so she can continue gazing at the spot on the wall.

I place my purse on the cabinet and walk over to her. Biting my lip, I sit down next to her and reach for her hand. When I grab it, she twitches, but doesn’t pull back. She turns her head and looks at me with tears in her eyes. I smile, trying to console her.

She squeezes my hand. “Thanks.”

“I’m here for you if you need me,” I say.

“I’m okay,” she nods, wiping away the single tear rolling down her cheek. “I feel horrible.”

“Understandable, considering what happened.”

“No, not about that. I couldn’t go to the funeral. I just couldn’t, and it makes me a horrible person.”

“No, it doesn’t.” I put my other hand on top of hers too now. “Don’t say that about yourself. You guys were friends. Everyone understands.”

She snorts. “Yeah, well I sure as hell don’t. I mean, I was finally feeling better, having another friend, feeling happy about who I am, finding another girl.” She sniffs. “Not that the last part went anywhere.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah … you know, not really into each other. It was fun, but that was it.”

“Oh …” I say. I don’t really know what else to say.

“Well anyway, don’t think you’re horrible. If anyone’s horrible around here, it’s me.”

She chuckles. “What did you do now?”

“Nothing! I just couldn’t stay at that damn funeral reception. All I could think of was what happened, Hunter and what he’s doing now, and then I saw Brody and I freaked out. Like big time.”

She laughs. “Nothing new to me. You’re always out of it.”

“Yeah, well, I’m glad I’m out of there. I’m really not good at those things.”

“Who is?” she says, and then she sighs.

It’s quiet for a few minutes, and we’re both just sighing, trying to make sense of it all.

“Thank you for helping me,” she says. “I really appreciate you sticking by me.”

She leans her head on my shoulder and puffs. “And Hunter, of course.”

I giggle. “Hunter?” I can’t believe she even mentioned him and a ‘thank you’ in the same sentence.

“Yeah, he’s a good guy.”

“Oh, is he now?” I chuckle a little.

She pokes me in the side. “Don’t laugh. I mean it. He isn’t half as bad as I thought. Especially when he defended us back at the party.”

“So are you telling me you actually like him now?”

“Maybe. I’m not saying ‘like.’ I mean, the whole drugs debacle is still irking me, but if you can deal with it, then I should be able to as well.” She looks up at me and smiles.

I smile back. I’m happy she can accept him for who he is. Or at least accept the fact that I like him and that I want to be with him. I don’t want to ruin the moment by telling her I haven’t seen him all day, and that it’s making me angry. I’d rather have this instead.

“I’m just glad he can make you happy,” she says, and she laces her fingers through mine. “I’m happy for you two.”

“Thank you,” I say, putting my arm around her and hugging her. “It means a lot that you say that.”

“I can’t breathe,” she whispers, while I squeeze her tight.

“Sorry,” I say, laughing a bit and releasing her from my grip.

“It just makes me feel so much better knowing you’re fine with Hunter and me being in a relationship.”

“Hmm, so you’re in a ‘relationship’ now?” She makes quotation marks with her fingers. At first my heart drops into my shoes. Her teasing makes me think she’s still not okay with it.