We walk to the toilets without saying a word. I turn to face Britney. ‘What did he do to you?’
She takes a shuddering breath. ‘You know that night at the party in Cash’s house.’
‘Yeah,’ I say.
‘He pushed me up against a wall and forced his fingers inside me. I didn’t expect it so I was too shocked to do anything, but luckily someone else came into the room and he let go of me. I ran away and came to find you.’
‘Oh! My God, no.’ I stare at her in horror. Suddenly it all makes sense. That is why she had been crying and in such a state. What a sick bastard. I wish I had kicked his face in too.
‘Why didn’t you tell anyone?’ I ask her gently.
‘I didn’t want to get him in trouble. I always fancied him and I was afraid that maybe I had encouraged him. I liked it when he first started kissing me, but then he started to get rough.’
‘Oh, Britney. It’s not your fault. I’m so much older than you and he managed to take me by surprise. I thought he was a nice guy trying to help me. It was all just a pretense.’
‘I think he must be very jealous of Cash. That is why he did that to me and you.’
‘Hell, Brit, when did you find out about me and Cash?’
‘I’ve known for ages. The two of you are like two elephants roaming about the house at night.’
‘We didn’t really make that much noise, did we?’ I protest, red faced.
‘You woke dad up,’ she says flatly.
‘What?’ I blurt out in horror.
‘Exactly.’
My jaw drops open. ‘Mr. Hunter knows?’
‘Um … I might have told him,’ she confesses with a sly grin.
My eyes pop open. ‘You did not,’ I cry.
‘I did,’ she admits calmly.
‘He’s not upset, is he?’
‘Why should he be?’
‘Oh my God! I’m freaking out right now. Tell me exactly what he said,’ I demand urgently.
‘Actually he just laughed and said, “Looks like I killed two birds with one stone.”’
I look at her worriedly. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
She shrugs. ‘You know how dad is. He’s always talking in riddles. I asked but he refused to explain further.’
I chew at my bottom lip. ‘And you don’t mind?’
‘Mind?’ she asks in a surprised voice. ‘I think it’s wonderful. I wish he would marry you.’
I stare at Britney, all kinds of thoughts and sensations slam into me at her innocent words. Marry? Cash and me? I was thirteen when I bought a little fake gold ring and pretended to be Mrs. Cash Hunter.
‘It’s not that kind of relationship,’ I croak.
‘But wouldn’t you like to marry my brother though? It’ll be such fun. We’ll be real sisters then.’
‘It’s way too early to tell, Brit. We barely know each other.’ I pause for a second and quickly steer the conversation away from this topic. ‘Are you going to tell Cash about what Gavin did to you?’
‘I don’t know,’ she says thoughtfully. ‘It could break Alkaline up.’
‘But you have to tell someone. What he did was wrong. He’ll do it to someone else if there are no consequences. Maybe you should at least tell your dad.’
‘You’re right. I’ll tell dad. He’ll know what to do. He always does.’
I smile at her. ‘You were badass out there. Those self-defense classes sure came in handy.’
‘Look at my hands,’ she says showing her hands.
They are still trembling with reaction and I grab them in mine. ‘I know your dad will be super proud of what you did today. It was very courageous,’ I tell her.
She grins at me. ‘I’m not the same person I was before. Thanks to you.’
‘I’m so proud of you, Brit. You’ve come a long way in a very short time. Thank you for sticking up for me.’
She looks at her fake nails nonchalantly. ‘No problem. I can always fit a little drama into my life.’
I laugh.
‘Cash will be looking for you. You should repair your lipstick quickly,’ she says.
I look at the mirror and see that my lipstick is smudged and smeared on my left cheek. I pull out some toilet paper and wipe my mouth and cheek clean before I apply a new layer of lipstick. Then I turn around and hug her. ‘You do know that I didn’t kiss him willingly, right?’
‘I know you and I know Gavin,’ she says simply.
I smile at her.
‘Come on, let’s go find Cash,’ she says.
We go out. Enrique Iglesias is singing I Like It, and Cash is outside looking for us. ‘Where have the two of you been? I’ve been looking all over for you girls.’