Page 82 of The Bad Girl

Chapter 30

Nadine

Nothing feels right, and I’m not the only one who thinks this. Granger has been on edge ever since we moved into the stunning apartment InStryde is putting us up in, yowling even more than usual. I’ve taken to wandering around aimlessly, constantly wondering where I left my brain.

Even after three days, I can’t seem to figure out where the coffee mugs are, and I end up opening half the cabinets before they’re discovered again.

Jenna, who gets on every fucking nerve that I have, is assigned to me now, or at least she is until I cut a deal with InStryde’s legal department. Not that I want one. If I had it my way, I’d be strolling into work right about now, going over Maxwell’s schedule.

But that’s not my job anymore, and it never will be again.

And fuck Maxwell for not having the balls to tell me in person.

My phone vibrates, and I look down to see a text from Jenna warning me that my name’s about to drop, which is what I’ve been dreading.

I still haven’t told my mom and dad that I was involved in the whole boat fiasco—I’m not allowed to—but I did talk to them yesterday, while Jenna sat nearby, or rather I talked to mom, and when dad asked to get on the line I made up an excuse to cut the call short.

I’m just not ready to talk to him yet.

Not looking forward to a whole day of solitude, I decide to see what Allison is doing. I’ve consented to InStryde monitoring all forms of my communication until we finalize our deal, which is reasonable considering how well they are hooking me up. And besides—it’s only temporary.

Nadine:Are you busy?

Less than a minute later, she replies.

Allison:No, what’s up?

Nadine:I feel like I’m going insane.

Allison:???

Nadine:Look, this is going to sound weird, but I’m in a new apartment, and I can’t leave it. Do you think you could come over to keep me company?

Allison:Are you quarantined with the plague or something?

Nadine:No, but I can tell you more when you get here. I’ll order breakfast.

Allison:Okay, just give me the address, and I’ll pop on by.

I give her my address, then send a text to Jenna explaining that although I know I’m not supposed to be having visitors yet, I’m going crazy, and she’s just going to have to deal with it.

Jenna:That is not advisable.

Nadine:I don’t give a fuck what’s advisable. My name’s dropping today, and besides, I had already told her about my involvement the day I was rescued. I’m not going to go into any details.

Jenna:I’ll be up shortly.

Fuck!All I want is to drink a cup of coffee with my friend or whatever pregnant women drink, but I can’t even do that without a fucking babysitter.

Twenty minutes later, Jenna’s at my door. I direct her to the sitting area, completely ignoring her, and make myself busy rather than suffer her opportunistic smiles. Ten minutes after Jenna arrives, Allison knocks on my door.

“It’s so good to see you again!” she enthuses.

We embrace, but she pulls back suddenly when she realizes we aren’t alone.

Jenna is standing off to the side, a sugary-sweet grin on her face, and it takes all that I have not to eject her from the apartment.

“So, you said something about breakfast?” Allison’s face brightens.