“I imagine.”
The smirk and tone are exactly what I’ve come to expect from him.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” he asks, eyes narrowing as he takes another sip of his champagne. “Back in the day, they would’ve referred to her as a homie hopper.”
He’s trying to rile us up.
Rett looks ready to unleash.
“Can you imagine how many people dislikeyoubecause they never heard your side of the story?” I ask.
“They’d dislike me even more if they did,” he says calmly. Then he glances past us. “Here she comes.”
Bizzy forces a smile. I notice her arms trembling slightly.
“Sorry about that. Champagne before noon is a no-go for me.”
Except she didn’t take a sip from the glass I handed her. She set it down a minute later.
“Here it is.” I gesture toward the painting, still dumbfounded by its sheer magnificence.
She tilts her head slightly, her mouth dropping open.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I ask.
Rett adds, “It’s part of a collection.”
She looks at me, tears filling her eyes. “I-I…”
Her hands fly to her mouth as a gasp escapes.
Before any of us can say a word, she runs from the Great Hall.
Hart raises an eyebrow. “Interesting.”
“Fuck off,” Rett says, turning to him as we hustle after her.
Her reaction to the painting leaves me feeling off-kilter.
Second meeting in four days, but we’re all feeling the pressure to sort out what the signs mean.
Even though Biz claims to have a virus, a growing sense of unsteadiness is taking hold.
Please don’t disappear from my life.
“I delivered soup and flowers and tucked her into bed. She’s fine. Chill,” Rett says.
I’m impressed. He’s never maintained more than a situationship, but he’s showing dedication.
Ellis arrives late in his gym clothes.
“Kegs, shoulders, gains and bros, gains and bros…” I sing softly to Rett, and we both snicker.
“Something funny, Jameson?” Hart asks. “World devastation a real riot to you?”
Mmm… he’s a problem solver and a problem starter.
“I take it you’re in charge again today?” Who told him he was the head of The House of Eights? No one. He just does what he wants, all the time.
