Page 46 of Gang of Roses: Rebel

Her smile faded. “You been ignoring me?”

Before I could answer, Rebel glanced between us. The smirk creeping across her face told me she was about to say something that’d probably make this situation ten times worse.

“Oh, this one of your little friends?” Rebel asked.

I shot her a look. “Don’t start.”

That only made Rebel grin.

Jade finally acknowledged her. “And who is she?”

The question should’ve had an easy answer. Instead, the first thing that came out of my mouth was something crazy as hell.

“My girlfriend.”

The words surprised all three of us. Especially me.

The lie rolled off my tongue so naturally it scared the hell out of me.

“My what?” Rebel blurted.

Before she could expose me, I slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against my side. She fit there so naturally it almost didn’t feel like we were pretending. Her perfume mixed with the sweetness of her pretzel drifted into my nose, and for a second, I forgot this whole thing had started as a lie.

“My girlfriend,” I repeated.

At first, Rebel looked like she wanted to punch me square in the chest. Then that mischievous grin spread across her face.

She was about to enjoy this entirely too much.

She slipped an arm around my waist. “Damn, baby,” she said sweetly. “You could’ve warned me.”

She looked up at me with that innocent smile, and I’d be lying if I said hearing her call me that didn’t do something to me.

The crazy part? I wanted to hear her say it again when we weren’t putting on a show.

Jade’s expression tightened immediately. Oh.”

‘Oh?” Rebel repeated. “Who are you?”

“I’m Jade.”

“The Jade?” Rebel asked, like I’d spent months talking shit about her.

I closed my eyes.

Here we go.

“What exactly is that supposed to mean?” Jade asked.

Rebel shrugged. “I don’t know. It just sounded like there was supposed to be a story attached.”

“There isn’t,” I answered.

Rebel smiled. There was entirely too much satisfaction in her voice.

“You never mentioned having a girlfriend,” Jade said.

“Probably because it ain’t your business,” Rebel answered before I could.