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“Why didn't you pick up?”

I stifle a laugh at Randi's annoyed eye roll.

“Working.”

“Listen, you've been gone for a while. Why don't you just come home and we can work on the party plans—”

“I've got to go, Jessica.”

“Wait.” Her voice turns panicky. “I don't feel safe on my own anymore.”

Randi's questioning gaze flicks to me. I shake my head, letting her know I'm not buying the bullshit Jessica is selling.

“Jessica, we've talked about this. I know what you're doing, and it's not going to work.”

“I'm telling the truth,” she says on a sad whisper. “Why won't you protect me like you do her?”

Randi's upper lip tugs upward in a snarl. Somehow, I hold back my amused chuckle—barely.

“For lots of reasons. You know that, Jessica. Listen, you're the one who went behind my back to make this fake engagement part of the deal I had with my mother to stop the bill. Don't act like I'm the one to blame for this mess.”

Silence is her response for several seconds before she drops a bomb on me that leaves me stunned.

“I'm done being second, Trey. I've already cleared it with the management office and your mother. I'm moving in.”

With that, she hangs up.

I stare at the blank screen, a little too nervous to glance up and get a front row seat to Randi's reaction to this. Love her, but she's a tad crazy. Who knows what elaborate plan she's thinking through to get back at Jessica.

After a few moments, it becomes obvious that I'm avoiding the inevitable. Taking a deep breath in for strength, I stand tall and slide the phone back into the mesh pocket of my shorts.

The smile on Randi's face is the last thing I expect.

“Looks like T and Sarah just got themselves a new roomie,” she states, her words and tone leaving no room for discussion. The grumbled string of curses from across the clearing makes her laugh and glance over her shoulder. “Don't worry, it won't be for long. I have a feeling it won't take long for my little Russian friend to dig up usable dirt on Trouble's mom. We'll all be back to normal in no time.”

I groan and close my eyes, tipping my face to the bright sun.

Why do I get the feeling she's really,reallywrong in that assessment?

22

Randi

June

Six long months.

Six.

Six months of waiting for a phone call from Vlad saying he has the information we need to corner Kyle.

Six months of waiting for Vlad to slide the incriminating evidence I need to get Jessica and Trey's mother out of our lives.

Six months of that little tart living in Trey's condo, acting like it's hers, and bringing it up whenever we happen to run into one another. Even though he’s not living there, it still stings every time it’s mentioned in passing.

Him living with T and Sarah lasted all of one week, three days, and part of one shift. Apparently they weren't discreet in their intimate times, and Trey is a spoiled man-child who expects someone to cook and clean for him.

To save their friendship, Trey moved out of their two-bedroom apartment. Since he was obviously not moving back into his condo with her and happens to have unlimited funds, he ponied up the cash for a small furnished efficiency close to my place. Jessica and his mother think he's still bunking with Tank. Not sure how he's pulling that off, but so far, he's skated under their radar.