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Chapter Four
Simple Mating Rituals.
I’d showered. It wasn’t like it was a novel experience. I was known to shower. Boys and puberty and sweat and all that. But I’d showered between school and a bonfire party.
Thatwasa novel experience. But I wasn’t going to let it get to me. Lately, I’d found myself doing all kinds of weird shit. Why overthink it? Just go with the flow.
Salazar
Leaving in fifteen.
Lombardi
Having trouble with your winged eyeliner?
Salazar
Having a wank.
Lombardi
See you in five.
Salazar
Fuck off.
I chuckled to myself as I sat in the window and had a smoke.
There was only one car in Piper’s driveway, but I couldn’t tell if she’d left or someone else was out. I was sure they were the sort of family who could get her a car if she wanted it. So, I wondered why she didn’t want one. I guessed she didn’t really drive all that often. Bus to school and back. I couldn’t say I’d paid enough attention to know how she'd got to parties before now.
“Rio’s here,” I heard Mum call a little while later.
I grabbed my shit, shoved them in my pockets and headed out.
Rio was standing in the middle of the kitchen with a ‘fucking save me’ look on his face as Maddy just stared up at him all wondrous eyes. I snorted.
“How are you, Rio?” Mum asked, ignoring her granddaughter’s gaping mouth.
He shrugged. “Fine, thanks, Mrs Lombardi.”
“Carmen, please.”
Rio ducked his head. “Sorry, Carmen.”
“Where are you guys off to tonight?” she asked. I knew she didn’t really want to know, but she lived in hope that I’d answer something nice and we could have more rapport.
“Bonfire,” Rio answered.
“For a bit,” I said, making sure Mum wasn’t going to expect me back at any decent hour.
“What are you ladies up to?” Rio asked, finally ignoring Maddy and getting back some of the charm he managed around my mother.
“We’re going to watch some movies and have ice cream and do our hair,” Mum said. “Aren’t we, Mads?”
Maddy could only nod. I had no idea what was so fucking exciting about Rio Salazar that had her so enthralled. For a moment, I panicked that that was how I looked at Piper Barlow, then I got some control over myself.
“We should go,” I said.
