Page 67 of Filthy Little Pretties

Bert: Grey.

Grey. Not gray.

The car slows to a stop in front of the school. As soon as it does, my door’s opened, and Grey’s face comes into view.

“Hey, Bert.”

“Have you forgotten my name?”

I scooch out and stand, grabbing my bag before I turn and shrug. “Well? Where’s my present?”

He wrinkles his forehead and mugs at Liam, who crosses his arms over his chest.

“Bert as in Bert and Ernie…that’s what I assigned you in my phone until I could figure out who is who.”

“And you think you have it figured out?” Grey smiles.

“You gave it away.”

Liam laughs, and I look between them, wondering what I’m missing. Oh, damn them.

“Guess we did.” Liam winks as he hands me an envelope. “We should be more careful with our spelling.”

Dammit.

I give a tiny growl and snatch the envelope the rest of the way. “Is this my present?”

Grey throws his arm over my shoulder as the three of us start to walk toward the school doors. “Look at you, all spoiled. We said we had something for you. Not that you had a present.”

I poke his ribs, making his body contract away.

“Tease.”

Ripping open the paper, I pull out the card inside, reading it to myself for a moment before I stare at them wide-eyed.

“Seriously?”

I’m speechless two times in one day because Caroline’s birthday invitation is burning a hole in my hand. It’s fitting she was born on Halloween, seeing as she’s such a witch.

Grey and I take the stairs, but Liam stops at the bottom, drawing my attention over my shoulder in question. He’s looking up at me with irritation as he complains, “Hold up. Why am I the dumb puppet? Ernie was a jackass.”

Grey pulls me in tight to a hug, grinning like the damn devil as I laugh at Liam, and gets back to business. “Do you know the kind of sacrifices Ernie had to make to secure one of those invitations?”

“Stop making jokes to play this down. She’s hateful and mean. And I’m pretty sure if she’s inviting me, it’s to throw pig’s blood on me. Have you forgotten the lake?”

Caroline’s been quiet as a mouse since our last encounter, but I still don’t trust her at all.

“We’ve exiled her long enough. It’s time to put this shit to rest, Cherry. I can’t listen to her apologies any longer. Do it for me. If not, do it for poor Liam and his dick.”

A long exhale leaves my body as I lay my head back on Grey’s arm dramatically. “She hasn’t apologized to me. She despises me, regardless of her excellent acting skills.” I pop back up just as quick and turn to stare Liam down, who’s caught back up to us. “Wait a minute. His dick? Exactly what sacrifices did you make?”

Liam extends his arm, holding out his hand for me to take, pulling me in next to him as I do. “Don’t worry, it was my pleasure.”

“Gross. You better be lying.”

He smirks, letting my hand go, but keeps our pinky fingers connected as we walk. “Don’t be jealous. Grey’s only kidding—you’re the only girl for me, Van. Pinky promise. But be good so things can get better between you and Caroline. Think of the position Grey is in. You know he’d hate her forever if you ask. Don’t ask.”

Liam’s right. It can’t be easy for Grey to maneuver between best friend and step-bitch. I’ll never require he does that, but this is going to suck.