Page 199 of Story of My Life
Nina let out a silvery peal of fake-as-fuck laughter. “I haven’t given Cam a thought since the summer after our senior year.”
“Mm-hmm. Sure. That’s why you’re standing here talking to him rather than sending your phony condolences to Mayor Oglethorpe,” Hazel said smugly.
I put my arm around her and pulled her into my side. “Wow, Nina. That’s just embarrassing for you. You really shouldn’t be still carrying a torch for me. I’ve moved on.” I gave Hazel a suggestive squeeze.
“Oh, please,” Nina scoffed. “The last time I actually gave a shit about you was our senior prom, when I was worried you were going to show up in camo. I’m not here for you. I’m here to make you an offer.”
“No, I won’t have sex with you for money, Nina,” I announced loud enough that everyone in the park and lot could hear us.
“You always were an immature asshole,” she hissed.
“Well, you’re the one who’s still hung up on an immature asshole,” Zoey pointed out.
Nina looked down at her. “And you are?”
“I’m about to kick your ass,” Zoey said pleasantly. She took a step toward Nina.
Nina’s eyes narrowed, and she backed up half a pace. “This town is ridiculous. You all should be thanking me.”
“Thank you for what? Hating us so much that you went out of your way to sabotage a petting zoo?” Hazel said, taking a threatening step forward.
“I don’t give a shit about you or your pathetic hamlet. I’m here to offer you a deal. If you agree to the annexation, we’ll pay for your little sewage problem.”
“What’s going on here?” Gage demanded as he walked up. Darius was on his heels.
“Mayor Vampic, what a nice surprise,” Darius said.
“No, it’s not,” I said.
“Mayor Vampic here was just reminding us of her offer to pay for our sewage upgrades if we give up our charter,” I announced.
Darius’s gaze hardened. “I’m afraid we’ve already had this conversation and Story Lake isn’t ready to consider that generous offer quite yet.”
Nina sent a caustic gaze around at the remnants of Summer Fest. “How much else can you afford to lose? It doesn’t look like there’s much left worth fighting for. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll take in some peace and quiet before I head back for the fireworks and boat show.”
Nina sauntered down the dock.
“I can’t believe you dated her,” Zoey muttered.
“Cam said it was okay,” Gage said defensively.
Zoey and Hazel whipped around to look at us. “Youbothdated her?” they said in unison.
“We were younger and dumber back then,” Gage began sheepishly.
“Well, you were younger. You’re at about the same level of dumb,” I said.
Hazel was sending invisible poisonous eye darts in Nina’s direction. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s something I need to do.”
She stormed off down the sidewalk toward the dock.
“Uh-oh,” Zoey said.
“What’s she going to do?” I asked.
“I think she’s going to try to get a little justice off the page for once,” she predicted.
Sensing breaking news, Garland climbed out of the lawn chair he’d been camped in under the bingo tent and jogged after her.
