AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks, dude.” Gabe’s arm shot out, hooking around my neck to pull me in. “I’ll say this once, and only once. Treat my second-best girl right. You might be able to pound me into the ground with your giant fists, but I have some crazy friends who don’t give any shits about committing random acts of violence—”
I ducked out from under his arm and got between him and Lachlan. “Nope. No threatening my boyfriend.”
Pen tried to cover her snicker with her hands. I shushed her too.
Lachlan brushed my hair aside to cup my nape. “It’s all right, El. I heard him, and it doesn’t bother me. I have no intentions of hurting you. I’m glad even your nemesis is looking out for you.”
Gabe’s job dropped. He threw his arms out. “You told big man I’m your nemesis? I thought we’d moved past that! I’m hurt.” He spun to Penelope. “I’m hurt, Lucky-luck.”
She patted his chest. “You’ll be fine.”
“I will if you buy me a milkshake.” Gabe cupped his mouth. “To theT!”
Pen glanced at me. She knew. I knew. TheTwasn’t a good place for me.
But what could I say? My heart thudded with the beginnings of panic, but we were in a group of friends who didn’t know the truth about the night Nate died or what had led to it. There wasn’t time to find a way out anyway. We were swept up, cramming into cars to caravan to the diner. Pen and Gabe went with us.
On the drive there, Gabe talked and talked, making Lachlan and Pen laugh. I made myself stay present, snarking back at him like everything was fine.
And maybe it was. TheTwas just a building. It didn’t hold ghosts, only memories. I’d had plenty of good ones there. I could make more tonight.
Lachlan reached across the bench seat and caught my hand in his. He gave me a glance, warmth filling his chocolate eyes, and that was all it took for me to start believing the story I was weaving in my head.
