Page 16 of When Sinners Rise

“I think you know it will be.” She licks her lips and leans forward, goading me into putting my mouth on hers. Not happening.

“MIRI! Jesus, Ade. Don’t throw up here.” Her gaze flicks to the cab again, but she’s soon back to looking at me.

“Listen, Miri, as appetising as the thought of kissing you is, go. I’m about to change my mind about my virginity, and you sure as shit deserve better than some booze-fuelled fumble.”

She laughs quietly and backs away from me, sliding her phone into her pocket. “Alright then, Shaw Harris. I’ll think about calling you tomorrow.”

I watch her get into the cab, keeping her eyes on me the whole time, and then start walking as the cab pulls away.

She won’t think. She’ll do. No one ever says no to me.

CHAPTER SIX

MIRI

My head is thumping, and the thought of climbing out of bed to go to the gym makes me want to throw up. So, I stay cocooned in the covers.

Flashes of events cascade into a slideshow in my mind, and the image of Shaw Harris is front and centre. I have his number. And I’m pretty sure that he wouldn’t say no to a date.

The fact stirs butterflies in my stomach but also nerves. Not one romantic thought, or even a flicker, has crossed my mind since we were taken. In fact, the thought of trying to be intimate with anyone makes me feel violently sick.

But something was there that wasn’t just worry or fear with Shaw.

Peter looked concerned in the club, but after a few shots and taking me home, he seemed to relax. I’ve been in my head so much about how I feel about all these situations I hadn’t realised just how protective my friends have become over me. Going out isn’t something I do regularly and usually only under duress.

Reaching for my phone on the bedside table, I read the message that’s been there since last night. It’s from Willow, andI didn’t want whatever she wanted to say to ruin the night. Because, after being unsure, it turned into a really great night. And it kept my mind from wandering, which I’m thankful for.

Now I need to decide if I’m going to message Shaw after all.

First, Willow’s text.

Why don’t we talk? Come over. We miss you.

I read and re-read the message.

Don’t you mean you miss me?

The dots appear almost immediately.

He misses you too. More than you’d think. Please, come over. We can talk about Paris.

I don’t want to talk about Paris, and as I read it, the thumping hangover overwhelms the good mood of thinking back to last night.

No. We talk about Naja. I’m serious Willow.

I can almost hear her conversation with Landon before the dots reappear, but she has to understand this isn’t something I’m going to drop. She’s my sister. And despite everything, I at least want to make sure she’s safe.

I’ll do my best to answer your questions. Dinner tonight?

Fine. I’ll be there.

I turn my phone over and go back to sleep.

When I wake up, most of the morning’s slipped away, and so has the banging in my head.

After a shower and food, I curl up in front of the television, but I’m distracted. Not just about dinner tonight, but about Shaw. His number’s burning a hole in my phone. I’ve picked it up and put it back down a dozen times, all without sending him a message. But it’s a big deal. Friends don’t come easily, and this is an even bigger step.

“Suck it up, Miri,” I chide myself.