Page 50

Sit Still, Look Pretty

A fter we left campus, the boys tried like hell to pry into the past. I could hold them off by reading from the thick stack of files Teddy found, but that won’t last forever. Eventually, I’m going to explain what happened with Trevor and why it broke me so thoroughly. It’s not anything that doesn’t happen all the time, but I’ll have to delve into my psyche more than I'm comfortable with yet.

They won’t see me the same way, and I’m not ready to see heat replaced with pity.

When we finally got back to the Hollow, Doyle headed off to return the SUV to city hall. Prez and Wolfie head back to their offices to check in with patients, and they left me with the animals and Teddy in front of the school. He’s been quiet compared to the others, and I’m not sure what’s going on in his head. The chick in the office skeeved him out—that much he told us—but he hasn’t tried to push me like the others. It makes me wonder what happened in that admissions office, and why he seems so subdued.

“Saoirse texted me. She said the weird contractors were back while we were gone. After they left, she and Julia’s little group went on a trip to… Salem? I have no idea why they would need to travel there, but something required her attention. Who knew they had fashion emergencies in witch trial land?” I shake my head and shrug. “But she said they’ll be back before Halloween. Something about costumes and what she has planned.”

“Tilly, that’s downright terrifying. Who gave her permission to design Halloween costumes for the spooky season event?” Teddy turns to look at me, his expression aghast.

“I don’t think anyone gave her permission, dear. Seer has never been a ‘permission’ sort of gal. She just does things. It should be interesting at least. There’s a shit ton of us, and she only has about two weeks to finish them,” I muse, tapping my fingernail on my teeth.

Edgar blanches again and grumbles under his breath. “We’ll see about that. I’m going to have a conversation with that sparkling pixie before I end up as Barney or some such travesty.”

I cover my mouth with my hand, trying not to giggle at the image. It’s hysterical and within Seer’s wheelhouse to do. She and Teddy have a fond, yet contentious, relationship, and her sense of humor dictates messing with him at every turn. He should be a little worried. “Should we load the kiddos up and pick up some dinner from Derby Pies before it gets busy? It is Saturday and they’ll be slammed once it gets dark.”

His lips curve. “If you have pizza tonight, does that mean we’re going to run in the morning? I don’t mind chasing you, but I can’t see the other leprechaun sprinting after us for five miles. Maybe pup and the doc, but not him.”

My eyes narrow as I usher the dogs, cats, and snake into the car. “Don’t be rude.”

“Never, Tilly. You misunderstand—I love the chase, even if it is at the crack of dawn.”

Making a sour face, I slide into my Impala, adjusting my sunglasses as I wait for him to join me. I don’t know if he meant it or not, but after revisiting my trauma today, I’m not in the mood for anyone to question my workout routine. I’m doing a pretty good job of controlling how out of sorts the whole adventure has made me, but I can’t guarantee something small won’t tip the scales. I’d prefer not to lose my shit in public again so soon after the debacle at the Hollar.

“Good. I don’t like to lose daylight when I’ve got so much to do. You know it’s midterm projects time at school—or you would if you taught something outside of the gym—and the private students are prepping for the Holiday Exhibition. I’ll have to spend a lot of time in both studios, and I’m afraid it’ll make me resort to terrible food too often.”

Once he’s belted in, I peel out, heading to Derby Pies in uncomfortable silence. I don’t know if he’s trying to read my mood better or if he’s ruminating on the same thing as before, but my arrogant asshole keeps his yap shut for the ten minutes it takes to arrive and find somewhere to park. He doesn’t even comment on the Starsky and Hutch slide I do into the parking space, and normally, he’d grunt and grumble about unnecessarily showing off being dangerous.

Of course, it’s dangerous; that’s why it’s fun. He’s such a fuddy duddy sometimes.

“Stay,” I say to the small pack in the back seat. “We’ll be right back.” They give me dirty looks, but with Isis wrapped around me, the animals have been more forgiving of me taking off without them. I guess they figure a big ass snake is a pretty good warning to anyone who wants to mess with me.

“Me too?” Teddy smirks.

“As if you’d listen,” I mutter, shooting him a look that says I know he wouldn’t.

“You seem grumpy, drugar. What can I do to help? Want me to read you dirty books in the bath again?” His grin is rakish, and I almost unfreeze a little when I see it.

“Just come running with me in the morning. I can’t eat like this so often if I don’t keep up with my regimen. I won’t be as charming when I blow up like a balloon,” I grumble. “You remember, Edgar. Don’t tell me you don’t.”

He frowns, grabbing my hand and stopping me before I enter the pizza joint. “Stop right there, Tilly. That’s loser talk and I won’t have it.”

“Edgar, I am not one of your team members. I’ll talk like a loser if I damn well please. I spent all of my school years as one, and I’m okay with not being some rabid attention seeking bint with bleached hair and fake boobs.”

I think I broke him because he looks truly stunned. His mouth opens, then shuts, then opens again as he struggles to find words. That’s fine; I don’t need his pity or his comfort. I lived through the torture his friends put me through, and through Trevor’s betrayal—I don’t need anyone to make me feel better about my life. Glaring, I yank my hand away, striding inside with a snarl of irritation. Why can’t people just leave well enough alone?

“One extra large California Chrome Veggie Lovers, an extra large Animal Kingdom Meat Lovers, one Exterminator Mouth Burner, a Venetian Way Fettucine Italian, and three orders of garlic cheese bread,” I rattle off, making sure I get everyone’s favorites. Shit. “Oh, and a dozen meatballs, please.”

“Feeling hungry, Jolene? I’d say I’m surprised, but given how long I’ve known you, I’m not,” the snide voice behind the counter replies.

Blinking as anger floods my system, I look up to see Sherilynn Foster Grant giving me murder eyes. Well, that sentiment is shared, and my fists ball at my side as I look into her spiteful face. Isis shifts, but it doesn’t help like usual. I’m poised on the knife’s edge today, and some asshole pushing my past in my face isn’t helping. “Sherilynn, how unpleasant to see you. I’m ordering for the crowd at my place, and I don’t have time to dick around with you. Are you putting in my pizza order, or is that too much math for you?”

Her head tilts as she gives me a vicious smile. “I don’t know. It seems like you’ve found a guy for each hole, so I’m sure you need all the sustenance you can get. It’d be a shame if…”

The nasal whine of her voice cuts off and I arch a brow, assuming Teddy is giving her his enraged big D look. When I turn, it’s both Teddy and Benjy, and they look fit to be tied. Before Teddy can open his mouth, Benjy waves his hand.

“Don’t worry, E. I’ve got this. Take your girl outside, and I’ll bring the pies when they’re done,” he booms, his enormous frame menacing as his eyes rake over the woman he’s divorcing.

Teddy nods at him, a look passing between them I don’t quite understand. “Thanks, big guy.” He takes my hand, prying my fist open to tug me out the door. When we cross the threshold and the door closes, he looks at me in concern. “Don’t let her get to you, Tilly. Some people never grow up.”

“ I am not in the mood for stupid bitches, Teddy !” I shout. My entire body is shaking with rage, and nothing Isis is doing is helping. I don’t feel like I’m going to black out, but the heat is spreading from head to toe. It’s like the anger is raising my body temp, and I have no idea why.

“Well, isn’t this quaint?”

A delicate sniff draws my attention, and I whirl around, ready to blast the next stuck up tramp who wants to come at me. My jaw drops when I see the perfectly coiffed, elegantly dressed maven of Whistler’s Hollow society herself staring at me like I’m a dog that shit on the Berber. My eyes close and frustration washes over me like rainfall as I realize what’s just happened. I will not be able to walk this back without a lot of groveling, and I don’t know if I can get there at the moment.

Margaret Emily Boone witnessed me losing my shit on the sidewalk in front of Derby Pies , and I’ve committed a cardinal sin in her eyes. Edgar’s mom was bound to have issues with me, our situation, and my past, but now I’ve shown her I’m unsuitable, regardless.

Just. Fucking. Great. This is the day that keeps on giving, I swear to Mars.

“Hello, Mother. What are you doing downtown at this time of night? Shouldn’t you be at the club holding court with an Old Fashioned by now?” Teddy’s voice is calm, but I can feel the apprehension vibrating from him.

Her laugh is like glass breaking, though I’m sure she believes it to be charming. The matriarch of the Boone family ignores her son’s question, turning on her heel to walk towards a SUV parked a little way down the street. Teddy follows her without a word, and I do the same, marveling at the level of power she holds that even my dick swinging boyfriend simply follows her without even being told to. She stops in front of—I shit you not—a raspberry colored Porsche SUV, clicks the remote in her hand and holds the small bag in her hand out. I blink, watching Teddy walk over, take it, and place it on the passenger side.

Holy shit, is this bitch serious? A Yorkie could have carried that tiny bookstore bag in its teeth; she didn’t need him to ‘load’ it in the car for her.

“Edgar, be a dear and run inside to get your food. I haven’t seen Jolene Whitley in a dog’s age. I’d like to talk to your friend.”

My eyes narrow and the heat that started filling my veins during the confrontation suddenly bubbles hotter. If this woman thinks I’m going to stand here and let her give me some speech about how I’m not good enough for her son’s pedigree, she has another thing coming. I said I wasn’t in the mood for Sherilynn and I’m even less inclined to listen to some old bat’s judgy horseshit.

“Mother…”

Margaret waves her hand to dismiss him, and he glares. Then turns to me with a questioning expression. I hold back the sigh threatening to escape and nod at him, knowing I’ll only make things worse if I don’t stand up for myself now. Her smile is almost feral, and the burning in my gut increases, spreading to my eyes as well.

This may not go well—the last time I felt like this, I had to be carried out by the boys. I wait for Teddy to step inside before I deign to face the Witch of Whistler’s Hollow with a bored look.

“Margaret, it’s nice to see you. I haven’t seen you since… the night of the Cotillion, I believe.” I don’t add she was part of the crowd of adults snickering in the background and I know it. She’s well aware of her behavior and I have no intention of rehashing that night with anyone.

“Oh, yes. Such an unfortunate incident. I remember your parents had to keep you home for the rest of the year. Children can be so cruel.”

Especially when they’re coached by adults, you bloody cunt muscle.

But I don’t say that. I simply force a smile to my lips and nod, ignoring the tightness of my skin and the urge to tear her to pieces on the spot. “Yes, they can. One would think their behavior wouldn’t reflect so poorly on their upbringing, but teenagers are so easily influenced by group dynamics and the urge to please authority figures.”

Her eyes widen and she gives me a look that would freeze the balls off a walrus. “Yes, well, at any age, it’s hard to keep your progeny from making mistakes by falling in with the wrong crowd.”

Oh, it’s on now, you plastic filled trophy wife.

“Indeed. Luckily, I’ve noticed some of the worst offenders have moved past their insecurities and ingrained biases to be more accepting and lovely to be around. Others…” I let the sentence trail for effect, enjoying the rage filling her eyes. “Let’s just say breeding can’t fix some defects.”

She’s about to retort when Teddy comes out with the stack of pizzas, and her expression changes to one of placid disdain. “Edgar Olivier Boone III, your father didn’t raise you to treat people to garbage for dinner. What are you thinking?”

He rolls his eyes. “Mother, we chose this meal together, and I’m sure all the residents of our house will be happy as pigs in shit when we bring it in.”

Margaret gives him a scathing once over before pulling open her car door with a vicious yank. “Fine. But don’t come whining to me when you’re too slow to coach the team or you stop getting invitations to the society events. I won’t intercede if you let yourself go to pot, son.”

I snort rudely, shaking my head. “Trust me, Margaret, Teddy is getting a full workout daily—sometimes even multiple times a day. His tight little buns aren’t in danger a whit.”

Edgar’s laugh is smothered in the boxes as he hides and his mother huffs before sliding into her car and slamming the door hard enough to rattle the windows. She makes a fast u-turn when she pulls out, not even waving goodbye before she burns rubber down the street like she’s been lit on fire.

“Hmmm. Guess Miss Raspberry Por-shay doesn’t like me coming from a secondhand store,” I quip, shrugging my shoulders. “Oopsie.”

Teddy groans at my terrible joke, clicking the lock on the Impala. “That was bad enough to earn you at least three swats, Tilly.”

I grin. Maybe it wasn’t such a waste of time after all. Wait till he hears the rest of what I said to his bitchy mother—that should get me strung up by the ceiling hooks for a bit.

Goody.