Page 73 of Tag

Washing my face and brushing my teeth helped. Throughout the process, I eyed my nails. I kept them short because of cheer. The dark gel polish was still smooth and unblemished, but they were close to needing a fill. Roxxi would be rounding all of us up to have that taken care of in the coming days, I was sure.

Back in my room, I ran a brush through my hair in front of the vanity mirror, smoothing the pin-straight strands until they fell neatly across my shoulders to the center of my back. I studied my reflection when I was done. My eyes were still a littlepuffy from the sleep I didn’t get and the stress I couldn’t shake. I reached for my tone-matching concealer, dabbing it under each eye and blending until the shadows softened to something manageable. It wasn’t perfect, but passable.

Today would be fine.

One foot in front of the other.

I grabbed my satchel and keys, double-checking I had everything for the day as I headed downstairs. “Lay?” I called out just in case.

There was no answer. She definitely wasn’t here. Moving on autopilot, I threw together a quick smoothie with frozen mixed berries, a generous splash of oat milk, a squeeze of honey, and two scoops of protein powder. I hit blend, letting the hum fill the silence while I mentally sorted through what I needed to get done assignment-wise--too damn much. When the blender came to a stop, I poured my drink into a tumbler and took a sip.Tart and sweet with just enough thickness.

It almost made me feel like I had my life together.

My phone rang as I was cleaning up my mess, Roxxi’s ringtone singing to me.

I answered, expecting a quick check-in, instantly knowing this was going to be something else when her flawless face filled the screen. Her long red waves caught the morning light, wind barely rustling the ends as she stood in front of what looked like the athletic center’s gym. She wore her Crowsfell jacket over whatever outfit she’d decided on, like it was couture. Her expression told me she was pissed.

“That dumb bitch didn’t wait for you to leave,” she snapped, zero preamble.

I almost spoke with smoothie filling my mouth. “What?”

“Layla,” she damn near hissed.

“I saw Ari’s text. Maybe she couldn’t get me up?” I wasn’t sure why I posed this as a question, or why I was trying to stick up for her. Iknewshe hadn’t attempted to wake me.

“Then one of us would have. Did you honestly believe we’d go along with your plan to catch a stalker in action by yourself? I don’t understand why she volunteered and assured us she’d stick with you, and then turn around and leave. A grey pick-up dropped her off.”

“That would be her stepdad.”

“I don’t give a fuck if it was the Pope.” She looked around and then lowered her voice. “I swear that girl has the intelligence of a half-inflated balloon. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her with you.”

I swallowed and rolled my lips together.

It wasn’t unreasonable to me that Layla needed to speak with her stepfather sooner or later. I couldn’t tell Roxxi that, though. Layla wouldn’t have either. “I’m sure she had a reason for it.”

“Don’t try and defend her.” Roxxi’s glare sharpened. “Jesus, Sanj, you’d give roaches a second chance to invade if they looked sad enough.”

My nose wrinkled. “Ew, no. You know I hate bugs. I’d burn this whole house down the second I spotted one.”

Behind her, I saw Nick and Xander exiting the gym, freshly showered and laughing about something.

“Come on, Vixen,” Nick called out as he passed her, flashing a grin.

“What were you three doing?”

“Working out,” Roxxi replied sweetly—too sweetly. Then her smile faded. “Listen, Sanj. I don’t know what her deal is, but she’s rubbed me the wrong way for weeks now.”

“Rox, she’s dealing with a lot.”

“Busting it wide open for her father figure can’t be her excuse for everything.”

“Roxxi!” I gasped. How did she know about that?

From behind her, Xander laughed louder. “Woah. Who’s fucking their dad?”

“Look, it’s fine, okay?” I cut in quickly, gathering the rest of my things. “I’m getting ready to go now. I can be there in five.”

“Is that our Sanj?” Nick’s face appeared over her shoulder, and he leaned closer to the screen. “Sanj! Where are you?”

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