Page 128 of Vying Girls

‘Aching?’

‘Mm. Slacked on stretches.’

I turn on my side, looking up at her profile. ‘Want me to massage it out?’

She sends me a look that makes me chuckle. Maybe I haven’t sobered up as much as I thought after all.

‘Not looking for a repeat,’ she murmurs, putting her attention back on her phone.

My breath catches at the casual acknowledgment. I hadn’t thought she’d want to remember, pushing the memory to the back of her mind where all our other good memories go to die. It spurs me on somewhat, her first mistake.

‘Not hating me enough to hate-fuck?’

‘I don’t have the energy to hate-fuck.’

I cluck my tongue. ‘You really are a granny tonight, aren’t you?’

‘Keep talking, Tilda…’

‘And you’ll what? Find the energy?’

‘Kick you out the fucking room,’ she snaps.

I snigger but relent. I carry on watching her, listening to her soft breaths, the ankle she keeps turning.

I wonder who she’s messaging, surprised by the jolt of jealousy at the thought of her talking to some other girl. Is she alone in that tent every night? Does Skylar ever visit? Someone else?

‘Messaging my girlfriends?’ I ask, assuming it’s no one other than Elly and Haz.

She frowns. ‘I’m messaging my friends.’

‘You have a group chat without me? Ouch.’

‘We had a group chat long before you ever came on the scene. I’m sure you have one without me too.’

‘Oh yeah. Where else would I send all my nudes? Can add you to it if you want? I took areeeeeallynice one earlier where I’m—’

My breath stutters when she rolls on top of me, one warm palm covering my mouth.

‘You really don’t know when to stop, do you?’

It feels like a challenge. I don’t want to stop. I breathe hard through my nose, looking into those eyes right above mine. They flash with something. Warning? A dare? Something that makes me stick out my tongue and take a swipe at her palm.

‘Knew you were going to do that,’ she grits out, the beginnings of a grin on her face. ‘Fucking knew you were going to do that.’

I remove her hand, holding it with my own. ‘Always was my calling card.’

‘Feral fucking cretin that you were.’

‘I preferhag.’

Nic hums, regarding my face consideringly. ‘You know that term was coined by men? Not surprising really. Must be threatening, women over marriage age choosing to live independent, happily, all without the need for a husband. Probably knocked back an insecure man or two in their time. In that sense, you are a hag. Me too, for that matter.’

I stare up into her face. ‘You are such a nerd. It’s cool, though.’

‘Is it?’

‘Mm. I’ve always liked your brain.’