Page 148 of Pretty When She Breaks

“Hey!” Jade called, rapping harder.

Casey hurried up to the door, alarm written all over his squishy face. “What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked, and then stopped as he saw Jade.

Why was he looking at her all funny? She looked totally normal now that she’d taken off that blonde wig.

“Nothin’. Just wanted to bring the party down here,” I said, grinning up at him. Why was he so tall? And red. Was he usually that red? He’d been a lot more red since Jade had started working down here.

He was still staring at Jade, and I focused on her.

Her.

“Ohh, shit,” I slurred. Jade was in a party dress, with makeup and heels. “She’s the he. He’s a she. Ah, whatever.”

“Oops. Let that cat outta the bag. You still love me, right, peaches?” Jade said, winking at him as she stepped inside.

He stared at her.

I patted his arm as I came inside as well.

“I’ll…go get you a uniform,” Casey said, his voice hoarse. He hurried off and came back with clothes for Jade.

She hummed and started stripping off her dress, exposing her small breasts to the room. Casey squeaked and whirled around so he was facing me instead. We listened to Jade staggering a bit as she pulled on the clothes. Casey glanced up at the camera on the ceiling, then turned back to me. “Is Kaos covering the cameras down here for you? Did you ask him?”

I squinted.

Had I? I’d meant to.

I fished my phone out of my pocket and did my best to unlock it. I only dropped it twice before I showed it to Casey.

“Yeah, see that?”

He took the phone. “This just says eyyyoh?”

“Eyyyooooh,” Jade and I called together, then burst into another fit of giggles. I was gasping for breath when Casey handed my phone back.

“He said he’d delete the footage.”

“You know what, Laurel?” Jade asked, throwing her arm around my shoulders. She had to stand on tiptoes to manage it.

I shook my head.

“I think, actually, he’s the best,” Jade said, pointing at Casey.

“You’re so right!” I agreed and wrapped my arms around Casey for a hug. He was large and soft and patted my back awkwardly. I giggled again.

“Well, let’s get us in, Mr. Big Fella,” Jade said, waving at the security doors.

We followed Casey as he unlocked the outer one and cranked up the portcullis.

“’S a good night,” Jade announced, stepping into the pens. “I got her away from her scuzzy fiancés. And I brought us a treat!”

She hefted the bag that was slung over her shoulder andstaggered to the side. Casey rushed to her in alarm, catching her before she hit the floor.

“Ah, thanks, mate,” Jade said, directing her full smile at Casey. “You’re a real peach, you know that?”

Casey mumbled something as his cheeks reddened. Jade stopped outside of Hugo’s cage and drew out a bottle of champagne from her bag.

Hugo, who had been watching this all play out with detached amusement, stood up with a strangled groan. “Is that—alcohol?” he said, pressing his face up to the bars as Jade laughed.