Page 147 of Vicious Little Snakes

Grey laughs, and I look at him like, “Shut the fuck up,” but he doesn’t care. His arms cross over his chest as he looks back and forth between Tabitha and Caroline. Way too amused.

Van interjects, “I’m sure you didn’t mean that Liam wasn’t outstanding. Correct?”

I can’t read Donovan’s face. Is she trying to help, or have we gone full anarchist? The questions cluttering my mind are answered as Donovan adds, “Because that would seem ill-fitted for a prior Deb—to criticize someone with the last name like Brooks. I can’t think of anyone more outstanding, other than perhaps McCallister, Kennedy…and Whitmore.”

Caroline faces Donovan as Van winks at her. Son of a bitch. My smile finally breaks free.Ride or die, Van.

Tabitha places her napkin on the table, “Yes, Miss Kennedy, it would be unkind of me to criticize the Brooks name. But I’m only judging the information I was given. A fall from grace is still a fall, no matter how shallow.”

Fuck. Tabby’s doubling down. Caroline sweeps her hair over her shoulder, and Grey and I both look at each other, eyes wide. If this moment had a soundtrack, it would play out to—LL Cool J’s—“Mama Said Knock You Out.”Dun-dun-nuh a comebackplays out in my head before I smirk. I have to remember to tell Kai about this later. He’ll appreciate my reference. Fuck, he has no idea how much he lucked out having plans with Mila.

Caroline’s voice is calm, steady, and direct, drawing my focus.

“I ask because I know Trish Vanderhelt’s father served a lengthy sentence for his participation in an extortion and fraud scandal. And yet, he’s invited.”

Tabitha’s mouth opens then shuts.That’s the best idea she’s had all afternoon.

“And then there’s Tiffany Astor,” Caroline offers, narrowing her eyes. “Her escort frequents real escorts. It’s probably where she got the crabs. Because we know that’s where she got the baby. Thank goodness for an empire waist.”

Tabitha cuts in sharply, “Miss Whitmore, I would like to remind you of your place.”

Caroline’s hands slap onto the table, bringing her up out of her chair. “And I would remind you of yours.”

“Fuck,” Grey mouths, and I nod.

But Tabitha asked for it.

“Do you remember when you told me to end my acquaintance with Liam? I paid attention to the wrong part of that lecture.”

I lean back in my seat, enjoying watching my little viper eating the mouse.

“You were right, Chairwoman. A girl is only as good as her associations. It’s a shame you no longer have mine. Society needs powerful women, correct. Well, I’m here.”

Grey holds up his glass to me, and I do the same as we both sit with smiles on our faces. Fuck you, Tabitha.

Tabitha pushes from the table to stand. “I believe we’re done here.”

Caroline stands to her petite height, smoothing her hands down her dress and smirking. “Don’t be silly. This isn’t the finish line. I’ve just gotten started.”

Grey sets his glass to the table. “Does this mean we don’t have to go to that circle jerk of elitism anymore?”

“Language,” Babe chastises to a winking Grey. “And yes, I believe we’ll all be skipping the ball this year.”

I take Caroline’s hand, bringing it to my lips, watching Tabitha stare at all of us. Her red face turns out of sight as she’s led out of my home. Leaving everyone to let out a collective breath of air and start to laugh. I stand, taking Caroline’s bright face in.

“You sure?”

She boops my nose. “I’ve never been surer of anything. Other than you.”

Liam—spring break

Caroline glares at me like she hates me from where her sweet ass has been seated all night. We’ve been playing this game since the party started. The one where we pretend to hate each other only to fuck like animals later. It’s her favorite.

I walk over to her and the court of mean girls, reaching out to tickle her side. She jerks her body away, leveling me with a look. Her friends never know what to do with us. One minute she’s my soft cuddly Carebear, and the next, they see shit like this. We must look so fucking unstable—joke’s on them. Caroline and I are rock damn solid. And neither of us give two shits what anyone else has to say.

Caroline tosses her long brown hair over her shoulder.

“The expression you’re wearing is as ugly as the shirt you have on, Liam. What do you want?”