Page 94 of Road Queens
Cass got out, too, and the four of them stood at the edge of the parking lot like they were about to start a quest. The only things missing were a few hobbits and Sean Bean. “Is it me, or would that make a great podcast? ‘Love true crime? Download the latest episode ofWhere’s the Jackass.’”
“And I would listen to that podcast,” Sean admitted.
“Thanks for meeting us, you guys,” Amanda said.
“You kidding? How often do I get a wanna-come-to-a-state-park-and-ruin-Jeff-Manners’s-day phone call?”
Amanda pretended to think about it. “Once, I’m guessing.”
“It’s true,” Cass said. “She almost knocked me down when she went for her car keys.”
“Your own fault for not getting out of the way.”
“I wasn’tinthe way. I was buttering my toast. I wasn’t even in the same room as your keys.”
“Are we gonna bitch, or are we gonna throw Jeff Manners into a ravine?”
“No reason we can’t do both,” Sidney said as the four of them walked into Pioneer Park. “Any ideas where he’ll be?”
“Men’s room,” Amanda predicted. “Which is next to the women’s room, which is perfect since I have to pee.”
“Can we track down one scumbag without having to hear about your elimination schedule?”
“What do you think, Sidney?”
“I think you’ve got a bladder the size of a flea.”
“God, the snark,” Sean muttered. “It’s likeSex and the City: Midwestern Edition.”
Cass rolled her eyes. “Not this again. You’re aware women who are friends like to do things in small groups, right? Candace Bushnell did not invent that concept.”
“Mmmm.”
“Well, that was a noncommittal murmur if I’ve ever heard one. Come on, let’s get in there.”
Then, as Sean headed toward the restrooms, Sidney seized Amanda’s elbow. “I know you fucked,” she hissed.
“Gah, trim your talons, please,” she said while prying Sidney’s fingers off her arm. “You don’t know everything about everything.”
“That’s true,” she said with a smirk. “But I know you fucked. He’s wearing the same clothes as yesterday, and he’swaytoo relaxed. So he’s either a disgusting slob, doesn’t understand how washing machines work, or you fucked. Going by your glow, it was nifty.”
“I’m glowing?” she asked, both delighted and concerned.
“Like a potbellied stove in January,” Cassandra said.
“‘Nifty’ doesn’t do it justice, you rotten nosy bitches, and can we keep to the matter at hand, please?”
“Sure,” Sidney replied, but shot her a later-for-you glare.
“Priorities, priorities.” Cassandra reached out and gave Amanda a hesitant pat on the shoulder. “Though I’ve gotta say, it’s nice to see you smiling.”
It’s nice to have something to smile about.
“Mmmm.”
“Now who’s noncommittal?”
Amanda ignored Cassandra’s comment as the irrelevancy it was and hurried into the women’s room.
