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Lilly huffed, picking up her drink. Malachi was next, to my surprise… or not. I had my suspicions about him and the Simone girl. Jay and Vin grumbled something about her shit question choice, and Scarlett just watched me. Challenging me. Over what? Admitting I liked Evan? Why did it matter? It wasn’t as ifanythingwas ever going to happen between us.
“Becca?” she said.
My eyes bore into hers, trying to figure out her game. Irritation built in me and, holding her stare, I lifted the cup and drank.
“Just so we’re clear”—Vin stared right at me—“for you, I am definitely within limits.” He winked.
Jay choked out a laugh and said, “I don’t think she means you, dickwad.”
I blushed, dropping my eyes, and stared into my cup.
“Don’t embarrass her, Jay,” Lilly scolded. “Ignore them, Becca. Vin wants anything in a skirt.” She nudged me, and I lifted my head, shooting her a weak smile.
“Right, fuckers, I’m out,” Scarlett stood, wiping her hands down her jeans. “Make sure Becca gets home okay, yeah?” she said to no one in particular.
“Of course.” Lilly slipped her arm through mine and squeezed gently. I appreciated the gesture, but it did little to ease the sinking feeling in my stomach.
“Catch you alltomorrow.” She ducked under the garage door and disappeared into the night.
* * *
“Did you have fun tonight?”
“Yeah.” Aside from the weirdness with Scarlett, and Vin’s attempt to flirt, I was fine.
Totally fine.
“Don’t worry about Scarlett. She gets like that sometimes. She has a lot of shit going on at home.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.”
“She doesn’t say much about it. Especially to strangers.”
I flinched. Lilly felt it since her arm was interlaced in mine. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. You’re not, I mean I don’t think of you—”
I let out a strained laugh. “Don’t worry about it. I’m the outsider, I get it.”
Lilly stopped, bringing us to a halt. Wiggling out of my arm, she turned to me. “Scarlett let you into our fold, so that means something, trust me. I just meant you’re still new. It takes time with her. We’d been friends for like two years before she took me home to meet her mom.”
Two years? That seemed… excessive.
“Remember what Kendall said at Rogues? About Scarlett taking in strays? Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong. Scarlett helped me through some stuff. Mischa too.”
“Where is Mischa?” She hadn’t been around much since The Vault.
“That’s her story to tell, not mine. Come on, let’s get you home.”
Lilly guided us across the street. I hadn’t paid much attention on the ride over, but it turned out Jay only lived in the next neighborhood and before long, my street came into view.
“How will you get home?”
“I’ll walk.”
“Is it safe?”
“Safe enough. Don’t worry, I can look after myself. Besides, I’m sleeping over at Jay’s.”
I doubted that. Lilly was slim and a good inch shorter than I was. With big doe eyes and long dark hair with a natural wave, she had a softer appearance than Scarlett, who looked fierce with her bright red hair, numerous piercings, and tattoos. Mom would lose her shit if I ever came home with a tattoo.
