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The driver’s door flew open. Layana flopped onto the seat and slapped her hands to the wheel. “Whoa, that was intense, huh? You totally psyched?”
She flashed me a wild-eyed grin and waited for me to confirm my own enthusiasm.
Mustering the most animated voice I could, I said, “Quite intense. So many people.”
“It’s great, right? I’m so excited. Let’s go get our hotel rooms checked out, explore this side of the city a bit, then we can meet up with Juno at nine down at that bar on Maple Street—Pour Decisions.”
“You’re actively trying to make poor decisions?” Tristan asked.
I wasn’t sure if he was being cheeky or genuinely believed that’s what she was saying. His tone was too flat to tell, and the swelling in his face made it hard to see anything in his expression.
“Pourwith a U,” Layana said. “But yeah, probably. Who gets drunk and plans to be responsible? Only an idiot who’s trying to fool himself. That’s who.”
“Who is Juno?” I asked.
“The one with the bleach blond hair. She’s going to be on the show with us, remember?”
“Right,” I said, not remembering this person at all. In my defense, everything that happened inside the Lacuna building was a bit of a blur.
“A bunch of the contestants are meeting up, and we’re all going to get to know each other. Won’t that be amazing?” Layana squeezed my hand.
“And how are we supposed to afford drinks?” I asked.
Layana shrugged.
“I don’t know,” I said, hedging. “Alcohol isn’t a necessity, and I don’t want to charge anything.”
“Wehaveto go,” she said. “Plus we got that starter bonus from the show. You can afford one drink.”
“It would be nice to know more people before the show starts, make it a little less scary.”
She nodded. “We can figure out who we’re allying with.”
I frowned. “Allying?”
“You know, because there’s always alliances in these things. Obviously you and me are a team, but to survive, we’re going to need an army.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Is this a vote-people-off type of show?”
“Even the kind of competitions that don’t work like that secretly work like that,” Layana said.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll do it. But before I forget to remind you, don’t quit your job at the cafe over this show. When all of this is over, you might need it. It’s better to have the option.”
“Mmhmm,” Layana said, looking anywhere but at me.
We’d been up all night, and I was freaking exhausted. “Can I take a nap before you drag me all over the city?”
“Sure. What are you going to do with Hammer Head?” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder, gesturing at Tristan.
“Layana,”I whisper yelled between gritted teeth. I couldn’t believe she’d said that.
“I’ll figure something out for myself,” Tristan said.
“No,” I said. “You’ll stay with me, obviously.”
“Obviously? How is that obvious?” Layana asked. “You just signed paperwork that said you wouldn't bring any people or pets in your room with you. This can’t go down like the apartment did. This is my dream, Morgan.”
“I know,” I said with a huff. I’d been doing a lot of screwing up lately.
