Page 91 of Space Oddities

Mitchell clenches his jaw.

I’m annoyed when a wave of sympathy hits me. I understand living under the thumb of a powerful man. Of taking the path of least resistance.

“Why areyoudoing all this?” It’s the first time he’s questioned me about my motives.

“Because I love her.”

“What if she really had stolen the ring?”

“Doesn’t matter. I love her.”

He nods, and his dejected, regretful expression almost makes me regret punching him. Almost.

A fissure of horror runs through my chest before I have a chance to quell it. I realize if not for Trish, I might’ve actually become like Mitchell.

I’d like to think not as easily swayed, but unhappy nonetheless.

Standing, I stretch out my muscles, sore from inactivity. Man, I could use a swim right now.

“We done?”

Mitchell stands as well, tossing his ice pack in the trash. “Yeah, there isn’t anything we can do until we meet with the judge.”

“All right, I’m heading out. You have my cell phone if anything changes.” I pause at the door, feeling like I should say something. Something encouraging. But I can’t think of anything that doesn’t sound condescending. He’ll just have to figure out how to move out of his father’s shadow on his own. Or not.

In the elevator, I try calling Trish again. No answer. I try Jules and Jackie. No answer.

Please God, let them behave themselves until I can sort this shit out.

* * *

Trish

“Drink up, bitches!”Rose holds her shot glass high while standing on the bottom rung of the bar stool. “My sister is marrying my brother tomorrow!”

Silence and some awkward glances get thrown our way. Not that there haven’t been awkward glances since we entered the place two hours ago, what with Jackie’s white tulle veil headband, and Jules, Rose, and me rocking neon pink trucker hats withBride’s Bitchesemblazoned with rhinestones across the front.

Then there’s the full body glitter Rose insisted she spray on us in the limo.

“Sorry.” Rose shakes her head, body still perfectly balanced on the arch of her heels, her body glitter making her look like a disco ball under the rotating lights. “I meant that I’mgettinga sister tomorrow when this girl marries my brother.” She points at Jackie, who reaches under the swath of tulle to push her glasses back in place.

Thisannouncement is met with cheers and smiles.

“All right, Rose. Sit down.” I tug on the hem of her shirt until she plops back down on the wood seat.

Once steady, she lays a hand on my arm. “Calm yourself, TD. I got this.” She elongates the s a few seconds longer than normal.

I cock my brow, too amused to be worried over intoxication levels. “TD?”

“Trish the Dish.” She waves thanks to a group of people passing by to congratulate Jackie. “Trish the Dish is too cumbersome to say all the time.” Grabbing the shot glass meant for me, she downs it, holding her fist to her chest like she can somehow punch the burn of alcohol sliding down her gullet. “Especially after I’ve been drinking.”

“I don’t know. TD?” Jules’ arms are draped over the back of her seat, empty shot glass dangling from her fingertips. “Sounds like something you’d pick up after a Tinder date. You know, like VD, but T for Tinder.”

Rose’s expression blanks. “Thank you for that cheerful analogy.”

Jules smiles, ignoring Rose’s tone. “You’re welcome.”

“The math isn’t working.” We all look at Jackie, whose tiara is crooked in the opposite direction of her skewed glasses.

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