Page 16 of The Good Girl

I normally tried to avoid bringing anyone around, since my mother was a law unto herself and my father stayed in ‘mayor mode’ when strangers were around so that he wouldn’t be caught on the backfoot. It gave me whiplash to see him revert back to his normal, stern self once we were in private, and over the years it had become easier just to avoid situations where that might happen.

Serena’s smile is back in place as she moves back to the other cheerleaders, obviously placated by the thought of spending Friday night at my house. “Yay, I’m so excited!”

Did she feel that our friendship was threatened by Tabitha and Athena? They were very different dynamics, which had no reason to cross or interfere with one another.

Ignoring Tristan, his stupid smirk and the way in which Blip has wrapped herself around him, I leave with Tabitha and Athena, climbing into Attie’s sleek white BMW in the parking lot without having said another word. I listen to their endless chatter until the car doors close, which is when Tabitha turns around to look at me. “I know she’s your friend, but Serena gives me the creeps. I really don’t like her.”

“Serena is harmless.” I wave her off, hating the friction between them. Serena was my best friend, someone who respected my boundaries, didn’t demand my time and was always there when I needed her. Tabitha didn’t realize how much I needed that sometimes, especially with my father’s political campaigns starting again. I was about to be torn in a million different directions, forced to give myself over completely to the campaign machine, and a low-key friendship was the only thing that could endure a situation like that.

“No,” Tabitha snorts, sounding a little like a stuck pig. “Single-brain-cell Shanice is harmless. Destiny is harmless. Serena is…too smart. Driven.”

I give my cousin a warning look, I don’t like gossip and I barely have time to think let alone get involved in school drama. “It’s a good thing she’s my friend and not yours then, isn’t it?”

Attie’s eyes meet mine in the center mirror. “Smart people always want more, El, they take and take until they’re stupid with power.”

Twisting further to face me better, Tabitha frowns. “Attie’s right, she might be using you.”

“Isn’t everyone?” I sigh softly as I sink back into my seat, watching the town of Silvercrest go by in a blur as we drive. Picket fences and beautifully pruned rose bushes are nothing but dashes of color, hiding what lurks in the shadows.

“Els…” I can hear the tremor in her voice. She cared about me, I knew that. I wasn’t foolish enough to trust everyone blindly, but I just needed one friend who was uncomplicated.

“That’s just what our lives are like, Tabitha, it’s part of being in The Society.” None of us chose this life, who would? It was seemingly normal one minute, with school and parties and friends, and other times it was secret meetings, shady dealings and everything was tinged with blood. Growing up together and being part of it for so long, we never even questioned the dark side of The Society, it simply was.

“I still don’t like her. She’s suss,” Tabitha grumbles as she finally faces forward again.

Chapter Fourteen

Tristan

Lena leaves, and I’m glad she gave into that urge to go, I could see her arguing with herself, the hints of guilt, relief, then finally excitement flittering across her face before she shut me out again. I couldn’t wait until she opened up and let me in fully, she would be fucking divine.

“Now can we go and see Clayton?” Blythe murmurs against my neck, her lips tickling my skin. I’d forgotten she was tucked into my side, trying to mark me as her territory, but it was useless. I was over that part of our relationship, and now my dick barely twitched as her tongue flicked over the soft part of my ear. I try to move away, but the woman is like a damn octopus determined not to let go.

Sitting back, my brain is buzzing from my interaction with Lena and my body full of restless energy. I wanted to follow her, to watch her enjoy herself, but that would be unwelcomed at the very least. I briefly wonder if she would actually tase me. That could be interesting. I lift my face to the ceiling, only two more days until Friday and then I could watch her dance. I need it, I need to see her unravel. It was like my drug, the thing that fueled my inspiration, feeding the monster inside me that screamed‘Mine!’every time I saw her.

A cushion hits my face and Blythe yelps beside me before throwing it back at Atlas with a glare. “What was that for?”

Clapping a large hand on my shoulder, Atlas leans down and taunts me. “Man, Lena is never going to give in to you.”

“Why did you vote fuck then?” I give him a sharp look, the glee on his face making the restless feeling worse. It’s like he wants to turn it into a challenge or a bet, as he pushes me, and I know we’re edging into dangerous territory. That fucker loved his wagers, but the whole academy knew better than to bet against Atlas Hawthorne. He always won. And not always fairly.

His grin is predatory, and I’m reminded of the hunter he really is. He clicks his tongue. “I’m trying to help you out, plant the idea in her head.”

Blythe, who’s been listening in, sits upright, panicked. “You’re both joking, right? You don’t actually want Elena Montgomery?”

Her voice has gone up several pitches and makes my ears ache as she digs her fingers into my arm. I can see Elena’s friend stiffen opposite us, as she tries to pretend like she isn’t eavesdropping on our conversation.

Atlas chuckles, enjoying the drama. “Ohhhh, honey, he’s wanted El since he was in diapers. It’s only now he’s getting his lazy head outta his ass to do something about it.”

“What the fuck!” She looks at me, blue eyes wide, but I only shrug. Shaking her head, she gives Atlas a smug look. “That’s not true.”

I slowly shrink away from her, trying once again to detangle myself. “Blythe, we’re not together anymore remember.”

Keeping my voice low and calm, I observe her as she tries to process. I don’t want to hurt her, but if she refused to listen to me, it was inevitable. We were friends, that was it. If she kept thinking we were more, I’d have to avoid her completely, which I would for Elena. I wouldn’t allow anything to jeopardize the headway I was trying to make.

Blythe leans back in, her mouth back to making my neck wet as her hand moves over my trousers, nails teasing my cock. “What can the prissy princess do for you that I can’t?”

“We’ve talked about this. Don’t call her that.” Covering her hand with my own, I lace my fingers through hers. “While this is nice and all, I’m serious about that side to our friendship being done.” Lifting our hands, I place her hand back on her own thigh.

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