Page 6 of Knot Their Boo
“She was one bomb ass old lady, wasn’t she?” I ask, sniffling.
“Coolest chick I ever knew,” Plum teases, squeezing me extra hard before stepping back. “Let me help you unpack and decorate. That’ll help,” Plum offers, sniffing as she swipes away her own tears. She knew Grams for sixteen years, and I know she misses her too. And this is her first time up here without Grams to greet her.
“Let’s watchHocus Pocuswhile we’re at it?” I ask, she knows that’s my favorite movie, just like I know hers isElf.
“Sure. But you still have to go to the pumpkin patch with me tonight. And we’re wearing matching costumes.” She chuckles at my pointed glare, grabbing the suitcase and rolling it into the center of the living room before tipping it on its side and unzipping it. The little bedroom had no space for a dresser, so the antique piece that the TV sits on is actually the only clothes storage in the apartment.
“Whyyyy,” I whine, crossing my arms over my chest and stomping my foot. “I don’t feel like dealing with the Nosy Nelly Nonsense right off the bat.”
Plum throws her head back and laughs hard. Her laugh is so contagious that I can’t help but join her. She has that effect on people. To know her is to love her.
“You could be named a saint by the church, any church really, and those bitches would still gossip about you like you’re the town harlot,” Plum points out as she starts pulling my messy bundles of clothes out of the suitcase and folds them neatly for me, and I sigh. She’s got a decent point there.
“Fine, but if one person says something nasty, then I’m leaving.” I pause. “And never going back,” I add, crossing my fingers.
“Alternatively, I can just spill my drink on them, and then they can leave,” Plum offers sweetly, “but you’re definitely going back.”
“Now that’s something I would pay to see.” I giggle, not commenting on whether I’ll return of my own free will or not.
Maybe this is a bad idea, but despite all the reasons not to go, I do really want to see Rhian again.
We were close once.
And this is my town, just as much as it is anyone else's. I shouldn’t feel the need to hide just because some people are bitter old hags.
SABLE
“I hate you,” I hiss, as I adjust the costume Plum picked for the hundredth time. “This fabric is a crime against omegas.”
“Lies. Now stop complaining, we look cute, and everyone else is in costumes too.” Plum snorts, hooking her arm with mine and dragging me toward the front gates of the pumpkin patch.
“Yeah, well, no one else is dressed as a sexy cat, Plum! Just us… What were you thinking? I knew I should have put up a bigger fight.” I tug at the black bodysuit, trying to stuff more of my cleavage down under the satin fabric.
The black fishnets and black boots aren’t so bad, but I feel like everyone is looking at my ass. Sure, the fat, fluffy cat tale hides ninety percent of my goodies back there, but still. I can feel the breeze on my cheeks.
“Stop,” Plum growls, jerking me to a halt in the parking lot. For an omega, she’s very assertive. “Do you think I look like a dirty alpha stealing slut, or whatever it is you’ve convinced yourself that you’ll be called?” she demands, lifting a perfect brow at me.
“No,” I murmur, seeing exactly where this is heading, and now I feel like an asshole. We’re dressed in matching costumes, so if I look like a harlot, then so does she.
“Right, so if you don’t think I look like some evil omega plotting to steal mated men away from their packs, why would anyone say that about you, and even if they do say something shitty, why the fuck do you care? Whose opinion on your outfit should matter?” She props one hand on her hip and tilts her head at me. God, she’s so confident. I envy that about her.
“Mine?”
“No, mine,” she snorts, cracking a smirk, and bumping my hip with hers. “Obviously yours. So if you think the costume is cute, then why give a shit what anyone else thinks? Do you think you look cute?” She stares me down like she’s daring me to deny my own cuteness.
She’s right. I know she is, and I wish I were as effortlessly confident as she is. No one else knows I’m not confident though. It’s an illusion.
So, if I just fake it?
“I think I look like Binx fromHocus Pocus,” I murmur. I really do love that movie. I’ve always wanted to own a cat café. Well, ever since I was thirteen, and I learned they were a thing, that is. I even have a name picked out and everything.
Binx’s Potions and Purrs.
“Damn right, you do! Just have fun, Sable. Stop letting others ruin your night. No one should get to control your joy but you,” Plum says with a sharp nod.
“Fine. Let's have an awesome night!” I hook our arms back together and hustle toward the already busy entrance.
“Heck yeah!” Plum whoops, practically skipping beside me. I know it won’t happen overnight, but she’s right. I shouldn’t let people I don’t even respect steal my joy. “I can’t decide if I want to go get pie first or funnel cake.”
