Page 55 of Beautiful Exile

“I’m gonna tell Cope that.”

I barked out a laugh. “You trying to get me kicked out of my house?”

“I’d never,” Trace said, humor lacing his words. “I gotta get back to work, but call or text if you need anything.”

“Will do,” I said. “Be safe out there.”

“Always am.” And with that, Trace hung up.

I tried to shake off the conversation as I pulled into an empty spot near the back door of The Collective, but the conversation still clung to me. As I put the truck in park, my phone dinged twice. Lifting it from the cupholder, my lips twitched.

Your group name is now Arden’s Favorite & the Other Ones.

Trace

Arden finally admitted it today. I’m her favorite.

Kye

Someone check on A. Trace might be torturing her if she lied like this. We all know I’m her favorite.

Cope

The fuck you say? I’m the only one Arden allows to keep Brutus when she has to go somewhere without him.

Rhodes

You mean you’re the most convenient one since you’re a five-minute walk away?

Cope

Harsh, Rho Rho. That was uncalled for.

Shep

You can all stop now. I built her art studio, so I’m obviously the favorite.

Fallon

You’re all being ridiculous. I know exactly who Arden’s favorite is. It’s Lolli.

Kye

That’s not fair. Lolli’s probably bribing her with pot brownies.

I snorted out a laugh.

Me

I wouldn’t mind the brownies minus the pot. From everything I heard about Rho getting accidentally dosed in college, I’m steering clear.

Fallon

You mean this??

She sent a video we’d all seen countless times, but it never got old. Rhodes was wandering through Lolli’s flower garden, singing and talking to all the flowers.

Rhodes

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