Page 40 of Go Luck Yourself
“The interruption is much appreciated, honestly,” says Hex off screen. “Coal picked this show and I am regretting every second of it.”
“I picked it foryou! No, wait, Kris—what happened?”
I give the simplest answer. “Irish whiskey.”
Coal gawks at me, so motionless I think the screen froze.
He snorts. “You idiot.”
Hex drops onto the chair beside him. “You need me to leave?”
“No, no.” But Coal looks at me, eyebrows twisting. “No?”
“No.” I press my fingers into my eyes. “Actually. Never mind. Go back to your date.” I start to hang up, but Coal waves his hand over the screen.
“Woah! Wait a hot second—tell me how it went. Even in those press shots, you and Lochlann looked like you wanted to give each other Colombian neckties.”
Hex writhes in the chair. “Coal.”
“Colombian what now?” I ask.
Coal grins, cheeky. “We’re watchingHannibal.Colombian necktie. Throat sliced, tongue pulled through. Necktie.”
Hex mimes gagging. “This is the last time you ever get to decide what we watch.”
My eyebrows pop at the half of Hex’s face that I can see. “Youare grossed out byHannibal?”
“Right?” Coal jostles Hex’s shoulder. “I picked it because here I thoughtoh look, I can bond over a love of horror with my boyfriend, the Crown Prince of Halloween,only to find out thatsomeoneissqueamish.”
Hex blushes. “Just because something falls under a general Halloween purview does not mean that I am required to enjoy it. I am far more of a thriller and jump-scares person.”
“Your court will revolt.”
“Oh yes, people are known to be furious when it’s discovered that their leader doesnotenjoy watching people get maimed.”
“Huh.” I chew on my tongue. Which is a little numb. Which explains why everything I say feels pillowy.Woooo, alcohol. “Hex doesn’t like horror. That’s good to know.”
Hex’s attention pivots from Coal to me.
I smirk at him and his eyes narrow, but not enough to hide the laughter in them.
Coal yanks the phone away until I only see his face. “Don’t use this knowledge to torment him.”
“This is how Hex and I have bonded, Coal, and I finally have ammo. You can’t take this away from me.”
“Nuh-uh, we aren’t getting off track anymore. Tell me how it went tonight.”
Damn it.
He sits forward. “Wren said you and Prince Lochlann wereclearly uncomfortable in each other’s presence.And the photos that have alreadyposted…uncomfortableis generous. The press seems to be buying what you’re selling, but good god, dude, how do you suck at acting so much? You’ve been there, what, five hours?”
“Four and a half.”
“Four and a half. And you look likethatalready?”
I hear the concern in his voice, and I know my brother—he isn’t saying this accusingly. But I can’t help the tug of shame that’s more sobering than an IV of espresso.
“I’m sorry. I let Loch get to me. I didn’t—”
