Page 196 of Chalk Outline

Everyone has a reason to be a Joker.

The door clicks shut behind her as Mitch and Braxton walk past me.

“You need a shower.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“You good?” Mitch asks, turning halfway toward me.

I slowly lift my head to meet their gaze. “Yeah. Definitely.”

They both nod.

Braxton winks and playfully shoves Mitch into the hallway.

How can we tell who is a Joker and who isn’t? We all play our roles until we clash. We’ll never know who makes it to the other side or whose game is over.

I know mine has just begun.

Chapter thirty-eight

Reeve Hardy

Lioness — Daughtry

My eyes flutter open to Titan’s snores.

The room is dim, but an orange glow pulses against the closed window. I stretch my arms above my head and get out of bed. That sleepy dog doesn’t even bother to look at me as I exit the wooden door frame.

I walk through the hallway into an open-concept kitchen and living room. The clock on the wall to my left turns 6:48 pm.

Winona sits on an island stool. Her greasy fingers hold a burger in one hand and a few fries in the other. She shoves them in her mouth without a care, softly moaning as the flavors explode in her mouth. Mitch smiles from ear to ear on a stool opposite her. Braxton strides from the couch toward us, setting his steamy mug of coffee on the island counter and slapping Mitch’s ankles off it with a smirk.

Inching closer to Winona, I kiss the top of her head as she takes another bite. “I forgot to tell you how proud I am of you. Thanks for having my back.”

“Reeve…” a coy smile on her face.

“Good morning. How did you sleep, Mon chéri?” Mitch gives me his usual shit-eating grin with a dose of sass.

“Better with you not around,” Braxton says with a hint of sarcasm, sipping his coffee.

“You wish I put you to sleep,” Mitch retorts.

“I’d rather let Mona strangle me to sleep.”

“Kinky. Splendid.”

“He learned a few new words and thinks he knows the entire English vocabulary.”

Mitch flips him off.

I roll my eyes at them as they keep dissing, then turn my attention back to Winona.

“How are you feeling?”

“I just ate a burger the size of my head and got some rest.” Her voice is muffled as she shoves the last bite into her mouth. “I feel fantastic.”

“Are you sure it’s not the meds?” Mitch tunes in again, unable to shut his mouth for a second.