AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh my god, you’re a lifesaver,” she replied before diving into the back seat. “Hugh, the turncoat, left me behind.”
“Claire-Bear.” The minute my eyes landed on her, I felt instant relief. Like the button on a skintight pair of jeans had been popped, giving me space to breathe again.
“Gerard.” Her smile was wide, genuine, and needed so much more than she would ever know. Leaning across the seats, she smacked a sticky, lip-gloss-tainted kiss to my cheek before turning her attention to Shannon.
“Morning, bestie,” she cooed, leaning between the seats to give her an affectionate squeeze. “Oh my god, you smell amazing!”
“Thanks,” Shannon replied, cheeks blushing. “It’s the perfume Johnny brought me back from camp.”
“Well, it’s working for you, girl.” Flopping back down next to me, Claire reached around for the seat belt, taking the middle seat, much to my delight. “This is our year, Shan. I can feel it in my bones! Autumn is a such a good season for me.”
“You really think so?”
“Oh yeah,” Claire cheered, fist-bumping both of us. “Here’s to friendship, fifth year, falling leaves, and freaky Halloween costumes!”
“Jesus,” I groaned, glum at the thought of the impending school year. “How is the summer over already?”
“No clue.”
Tossing Claire’s bag in the boot to join the rest of ours, Johnny rounded the car and politely waved off my mother before climbing into the driver’s seat. Leaning across the console, he kissed his girlfriend before turning the key in the ignition.
The minute the engine roared to life it was accompanied by the sound of Fort Minor’s “Remember the Name” as it blasted from his impressive car stereo.
Kav’s playlist was always set in beast mode. It didn’t matter what day of the week it was or what the occasion was, the music he played was ferocious, aggressive, and highly motivating. Seriously, after spending too long in his car or listening to his iPod, I felt like running laps and swinging fists.
The music he listened to was in direct contrast to the mild-mannered persona he presented to the world. Of course, I knew he had the ability to be a fucking demon given the chance, but the lad was just so restrained.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about that man that just rubs me the wrong way,” Johnny said, lowering the volume on the stereo.
That would be your good judgment, lad.
“I know he’s married to your ma, Gibs, and I mean no offense,” he tossed over his shoulder. “Because Keith’s always been sound to me, but there’s just something…”
“Sleazy about him?” Claire chimed in, adjusting her seat belt.
“Sleazy,” I chuckled, draping my arm around her shoulder. “Good one, Claire-Bear.”
“I know, right?” she replied, beaming back at me.
“Yes,” Johnny said in an enthusiastic tone from the front seat. “Sleazy. That’s the word. I was going to go with off, but sleazy hits the nail on the head.”
“That’s because he’s a cheater-cheater, pumpkin eater.”
“Claire!”
“What?” Cackling in amusement, Claire looped her arm through mine and rested her head on my shoulder, causing the smell of her strawberry shampoo to attack my senses. Fucking perfect. “Wife stealers are sleazy slimeballs.”
“Oh my god!” Shannon squealed. “You can’t say that.”
“Why not?” she scoffed without a hint of remorse. “It’s true.”
See, this is why I loved Claire Biggs.
She saw through all the bullshit and facades.
“Ah, he’s not the worst of them,” I threw out there, because agreeing with Claire would open a can of worms that I had zero intention of tending to. Also, I happened to be sitting in the same car as the girl who had endured sixteen years of living under the same roof as a blood-thirsty murderer. Compared to Teddy Lynch, Keith was a lamb. Perspective.
“Oh my god, guys, I almost forgot!” Yelping in excitement, Shannon twisted around and thrust her phone in our faces. “You need to see this picture.”
