Page 111 of Forged in Rain

“Please, you’re gonna have to be sneakier than that. What does he know?”

“Nothing,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Really? How does he know about John, Iris?”

She chuffs, “So, you’re gonna what? Fuck him for me?”

“Right. No. But I’ll make an appearance.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m fucking done.”

She stares at me with narrowed eyes before glancing at my outfit with a small smile. I’m wearing one of my gypsy skirts with one of Cyn’s shirts tied just below my boobs. I’ve got my bangles on and combat boots on my feet.

Assuming she’s down with the plan, I sit down on her chair and stare at the vanity mirror. “Do my makeup.”

“What am I? Your fucking maid? What do you want?”

“To look like someone else.”

She eyes me speculatively and grabs a brush. I look like a hot goth chick with dark black eyeshadow and nude lips by the time she’s done. She straightened my hair and braided the top, adding red streaks in the waves.

I look like someone else, and with a small smile, I stand as she grins. “You look badass.”

“Good,” I breathe. I don’t want to be me anymore. I’m useless and fucking weak.

We’re silly on the drive, and for once, I feel normal with her, but as soon as we roll up to Rand’s house, I frown. “What’s this?”

“He’s a dick. You didn’t expect him to live in a mansion?” Iris scoffs.

“Ha!” I chuckle.

The party is pumping when we let ourselves in. I’m not used to this crowd, so the hip-hop music assaults my senses as we push through the masses.

Iris leads me to the kitchen, and by unspoken agreement, we take a couple of shots. The liquid heats my veins, and I shake my head with a grimace. I guess not being me doesn’t include sobriety, but I can’t stand the thought of entertaining Rand without a liquid buffer.

After, we venture outside, and it’s not warm enough to swim, but chicks hang out in bikinis anyway, the goods hanging out for all to see.

One of Rand’s friends taps him on the shoulder with a wide grin, and he turns with bright eyes. I hide my grimace with a smile, but I fucking hate Rand. Still, this is a means to an end, and if it came down to it, I’d fuck a hundred Rand’s for Cyn.

“Rain,” he says, ignoring Iris.

She snorts and keeps going, and I watch her enviously before turning back to Rand.

“Want a drink?”

“Sure,” I mutter, frowning when his eyes drop to my boobs. Douche.

With a beer in hand, I join Rand and his friends, marveling that it took almost a year, but I’m finally at an average high school party. Funny, but after the shit I’ve been up to, I’m bored within minutes of being here.

Rand and his friends talk about sports, but my mind wanders. I need to get my hands on Hate’s number, but I don’t know how to do that without asking Cyn.

My only hope is the deal I made, except the old bastard hasn’t responded that I know of. Time is ticking, and I’m on the cusp of losing it all.

Rand laughs, and I glance up as he puts his arm around my shoulders. Shrugging him off, I bite back the curse on my tongue.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I say, pushing away from him.

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