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“He’s never been this over-the-top with security,” I say, closing the curtain.
Tillie kicks off her sneakers and climbs into my bed, pushing Kore over. “I know I’ve met these dogs before, but will they bite me?”
I shake my head, removing my shoes and finding my Givenchy hoodie, zipping it up. “Nah, not unless I feel threatened.”
I push a button on my bedside drawer and the TV slowly rises from the floor in front of my bed until all eighty-four inches of it is occupying the entire space at the foot.
“Holy fuck!” Tillie gasps midway, opening the Cheetos. “I need one of these.”
I flop onto the bed with my phone in hand. “All I did to pass time was garden, read, self-study, watch TV shows and movies, and shop online.”
Tillie pops a bottle of champagne and pours some into a flute, handing it to me. “I’m a little pissy that I can’t share this with you, but at least I can take care of you if it goes straight to your head. Which it will.”
I take the first sip and wince as the bubbles evaporate over my lips. “It tastes better than it smells.”
Tillie winks at me. “Exactly.”
We snuggle into the covers as I sip on my champagne and nibble on the Cheetos when her phone starts ringing.
She pulls it out of her handbag and I watch as her face pales. “Sorry, I have to answer this.”
“It’s fine,” I say, shaking my head. “You want me to leave the room?”
“No.” Tillie’s eyes come to mine. “We don’t roll with secrets like the boys do.”
My chewing slows as she unlocks her phone. What did she mean by that?
“Everything okay?” Instantly her tone is different. She’s guarded, uneasy, and instead of her slouching, her shoulders are square, as if she’s ready for battle.
“Yeah, sorry I had to FaceTime you. I hope you’re alone?”
I don’t recognize the voice on the other end, but I figure it must be one of Tillie’s friends.
Tillie’s eyes fly to me before going back to the phone. She flips the screen around and the girl on the other end squints her eyes.
“Who’s that?” She has long brown hair, a sharp heart-shaped face, and a skinny frame. From what I can see. She is beautiful. I mean, she doesn’t even need to try to be either.
Tillie turns the screen back around. “This is Saint.” She looks to me and smiles gently. “Saint, this is Madison.”
Oh!
“What have I missed? I know you wouldn’t put me on blast if you didn’t trust her, but should I be worried that you’re becoming weak?”
Tillie flips her off. “Fuck you. You wouldn’t have to be worried if you were home.” The silence is piercing. I get the impression they care for one another, but there is also tension between the two of them. “Anyway, so…” Tillie nibbles on her bottom lip. I don’t know if her obvious nervousness is from Madison being on the phone or from me. Either way, it steals my appetite.
Tillie props the phone up onto a pillow on the bed opposite me so we’re placed in a circle. Madison eyes me closely. “What am I missing here?”
“Okay.” Tillie turns to me, her hands on my knees. “Take another drink.”
“Oh no, she’s getting you drunk. This is bad,” Madison jokes.
“Well, I have never been drunk before so this could end badly.”
“Wait, what? Tillie, what the fuck is going on?”
Tillie ignores us both, and just as I sip my second gulp, her mouth opens. “I promised myself that there will be no secrets among the girls.”
“The girls? Who is she?” Madison is half-yelling now.
Tillie silences her with a flick of her wrist. She’s obviously well acquainted with Madison as a friend. “Saint, I’m going to tell you something that I’m almost certain Brantley hasn’t told you yet—” I don’t miss the loud gasp from the phone. “—For God knows why, because why do the boys ever hide secrets from us?” Tillie rolls her eyes. “All it does is hurt people, and I’m not letting it happen again, so a pact…” She points around to all three of us.
“I don’t know if you notice this, but I can’t draw blood through the phone…” Madison mumbles. I think she’s joking.
Tillie ignores her and keeps her eyes on me. “We don’t need a fucking blood oath. This isn’t The Craft.”
I gulp, swallowing another mouthful of the sour champagne. “I wouldn’t be mad if it was as long as I can be Bonnie.”
I wasn’t sure what was happening. I’m not surprised by the secret comment. Brantley has always lived a separate life from me and this house, but if this is half as important as I’m getting the feeling it is, then I might need more champagne. They drink a lot of it in the movies I watch. It obviously helps.
