Hellion, a New Adult Romance Novel(44)

 

“No, I didn’t notice any of that. She had that big old shirt on over it. Do you want me to see if my mom has any of her old stuff? I mean, it won’t be trendy or anything but there aren’t any rubber bands involved, at least.”

 

“Yeah, that’d be great. And Rebel said the business could donate some money if she wants to go shopping, but I’m pretty sure she’ll say no to that. She’s freaking out about hand-outs and charity.”

 

“I get that, but still … she has to think about her baby.” I finish up my other eye and give myself a double eyebrow-raise in the mirror to check the effects. Mick, you are in so much trouble. Putty. You will be putty in my hands.

 

“I hear ya.” Teagan sounds distracted.

 

“So how is Rebel dealing with all this?”

 

“What do you mean, ‘all this’?”

 

“Well, first he falls in love with a girl who hijacked his office, then he moves in with her, and now she has a pregnant buddy on the couch. Seems like a lot to deal with.”

 

“Yeah,” she sighs, “you’re right. I should probably blow him tonight, huh?”

 

I giggle. “Yeah. Sexty-nine all the way.”

 

“You’re mocking me.”

 

“Who me? Nah. I’d never do that.” I throw a kiss at the mirror.

 

“Rebel is actually fine with it. He and Alissa had a long talk.”

 

“What?” I slam my mascara down, my happiness evaporating. “Now that’s just total bullshit.”

 

Teagan laughs. “Why?”

 

“Because he has said maybe ten words to me the entire time I’ve known him and now he goes all chatty bitch with Alissa? Why? Because she’s pregnant, that gives her some sort of special pass into his super secret, private, silent man-world?”

 

Teagan’s still laughing.

 

“Shut up,” I say, taking my mascara back in hand. Mick is going to be here any minute. I need to let this rejection slide off my shoulders so I can focus on the man-killing I have ahead of me tonight. Maybe it’s a terrible plan, but if I’m only going to be with Mick once after we both decide it’s a terrible idea that we be together, I’m going to make it count. All this smokey eye stuff is convincing me that playing it safe is a silly, stupid idea. I’m only going to be young once. One of these days I’ll be old and pregnant and wishing I’d had more fun when I could have.

 

“Are you seriously jealous of an unwed pregnant girl?” Teagan asks, jerking me out of my mind-wandering.

 

I pout. Hearing the words sobers me up pretty quickly. “No. Not exactly.”

 

“Good. Because that would be seriously wrong of you. Now go and finish up with the eyebrow grooming. I have blow jobs to hand out.”

 

“Ew. And how did you know I was about to do my eyebrows?” I look down at the toothbrush I use for just that operation.

 

“Because, you’re obsessed with those things. I’m surprised you haven’t named them yet.”

 

“Actually, I have. Vixie and Trixie.”

 

“Oh, God. You are disturbed. I have to go. Be good. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

 

“Well, that leaves the playing field wide open doesn’t it?” I pause. “Get it? Wide open? Get it?”

 

She burps loudly and hangs up without another word.

 

I sigh with happiness as I stroke my right eyebrow with the toothbrush. I love my best friend. Someday I’m going to live right next door to her so I can harass her all day long. She doesn’t know this yet, but I’d love to see her stop me.

 

My dreams of forced neighborly relations are interrupted by the doorbell.

 

I drop my toothbrush in a panic. My heart is beating way too fast for this event and it pisses me off. I whisper to myself as I gather my purse and shove things into it. “Just relax. It’s Mick, not Obama.” He’s early. He must be as anxious as I am.

 

A big boom hits my door and I open it to find Jersey standing there. At least this time he didn’t fall. “Who’s there?” I say, looking right at him.

 

“It’s me, Sister. Can’t you see me?”

 

“No.” I reach out a hand and start patting him sloppily all over the face and head. “Is that you, Jersey-boy? Take your invisible spell off. I need to give you a kiss goodbye.”

 

“I’m not using it, silly. See?” He lifts his eyebrows and grins.

 

I lean over and kiss him on the side of his face. “Some of that invisibility dust must still be on you. Only thing I can see is your fat little cheek.”