Page 71 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

“Sounds perfect.” I lock the door and follow her to the waiting car. I slide into the back seat, and a pretty girl twists and smiles.

“Hi, I’m Harley Jean.”

“Brandy,” I reply.

“So, I heard you and Marcus met when they went on that snack run for Green,” Harley comments as she throws the car in reverse.

“Yeah, we did.” I laugh.

“Pssh, I don’t want to hear the information we already know. I want the nitty gritty details.” Melissa waggles her eyebrows. “Have you guys, you know…?”

I’m not sure I want to divulge that kind of information to girls I just met. “Um…”

Harley reaches over and swats Melissa’s arm. “Don’t make her uncomfortable. You’ll scare her off before we officially suck her into our group.”

“All right. All right.” She glances over the seat and smiles. “I’ll get that information from you later.”

We continue to discuss everything from favorite shops to what they plan to do with their lives. Before I know it, we’re pulling into a nail salon.

“I’m getting a French manicure and a pedicure. What about you Brandy?” Harley Jean asks as we push open the glass front door.

“I got my nails done the other week, but my toes haven’t seen the light of day this winter. It’s been mostly boots and closed toe heels for me. I could use a pop of color.”

After selecting our polish, we relax in the massage chairs.

“So, you guys seem to know everything about me and Marcus. What about you? Any men in your lives?” I glance at Melissa first, wondering if she’ll admit to all the tension between her and Billy. I’ve heard so much about it, I feel like I’ve been listening to a soap opera.

“Well,” Harley Jean pipes up. “I’ve been on a few dates recently, but nothing serious.”

“What about you?” I ask Melissa, and I don’t miss the exchange between these two friends.

“It’s complicated,” she confesses.

“How so?” I prod.

“I’ll tell you about it, if you answer my question from earlier.”

“You play a hard game.” I chuckle. “Fine. You go first.”

“Well, I’m the daughter of the club President, which basically makes me a nun.”

“That’s not true.” Harley Jean scoffs.

“The guy I’m interested in can’t date me, or he won’t get his number one priority, which apparently isn’t me.”

Harley Jean leans to meet her eyes. “Come on, Melissa. You know that isn’t true. I think he’d burn his patch if he really thought it came down to you or it.”

“I’m sure Billy and you will figure it out. It can’t be that long before he gets his patch.” I try to console my new friend.

“Looks like you already know my story,” she comments at my use of his name.

I grin sheepishly at my slipup. “Yeah, men talk. Especially when you let them in your bed.”

“Ha, I knew it!” Melissa points her perfectly manicured finger at me. “Is he good?”

“Yes, he is.”

Harley Jean leans closer and whispers, “Is he the throw-you-against-the-wall or make-sweet-love kind of guy?”

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