Page 17 of Soulless Saint

I let out a little laugh.

“So she does know how to smile,” Kate joked as she poured us each a cup of coffee. “I was starting to worry you only knew how to bare your teeth.”

I remembered trying to force my lips wide to smile at all the customers in the cafe and my face heated. “Oh god, was it that bad?”

“Any worse and you would’ve curdled all the dairy.” She scooped a lump of sugar into her mug and gestured to mine. “Sugar?”

“Just one.”

“Boom, baby!”

We both turned to Toby in the living room, who jumped up from the couch, pumping his fist in the air. He pocketed his phone with a triumphant grin, showing off a row of straight white teeth behind his full lips. “Less than an hour is a new personal record. Seven hundred and twenty bucks. After my finder’s fee that’s six-fifty for you. Rent is paid and this guy’s bringing a bottle of Dom to the party tonight.”

“Dom?”

“Okay, so, like a really good prosecco, whatevs. Same shit.”

I snorted. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

“Get naked, love. I need to wash and hang dry that beauty before I meet the buyer in a few hours.

Um…

“She’s straighter than an arrow, and I’m more gay than two dicks touching, but if you want some privacy, use the bathroom down the hall.”

“I’ll loan you something to wear for now,” Kate offered. “Though I don’t have much that’s black.”

“Oh, I do!” Toby offered. “I have this black sheer Armani button down that would look killer if you’re wearing a black bra under that.”

Kate perked up. “I have a little suede skirt that should work with that.”

“Done.”

“Uh…” I trailed off, unsure what to say. Anything other than thank you would be rude. “Thank you. I should probably try to go get my stuff from the motel. Do you guys have any idea where the nearest bus stop is?”

Toby put a hand to his chest, looking absolutely scandalized. “As if any roommate of mine is going to take the bus.”

“Because your rust bucket is so much better?” Kate teased.

“At least I have wheels Katie-poo.”

Kate clucked her tongue in reply, sipping her coffee.

“Let’s get that Loro Piana through the wash,” Toby said, pushing me down the hall to the bathroom. “And then I’ll drive you, ’kay? Let’s be quick, I’ve got a party to get to and a man to woo.”

“Ugh, give it up, Tobes!” Kate shouted after us. “Kaleb bats for the other team.”

“Did you think you’d like matcha smoothies before you tried them, Kate? No. But now they’re your favorite. Don’t crush my dreams.”

He leaned close to whisper into my ear, “Such a buzzkill that one,” and shoved me into the bathroom.

When we pulled up to the front of Saint’s Autobody, Dad’s truck was already parked near the entrance. Kaleb sighed heavily, pale under his sunburnt skin as he considered the meet we were about to have with our father inside. I snatched the sports drink from the cup holder and slapped it against his chest before climbing out the driver’s side.

Normally Kaleb drove us everywhere, the clear choice as the better driver, but by the look of him, he was still drunk. Probably would be until tomorrow if he partook at the party later tonight.

I knew I should cancel it, but Sundays at the Saint’s had become something of a tradition in Santa Clarita. Gave our congregation a place to gather for worship. Strengthened and solidified our place among them as gods. To be revered and feared.

“What do you think this is about?” Kaleb asked, wincing as he shut the passenger door behind himself and rushed to catch up to me.

---