“Don’t let him get to you, I whispered.
She huffed, “I swear the man spends hours in front of a mirror planning his methods for torturing me.”
Lila winked, “Think you, do the same thing.”
Talia gasped, “No. I don’t. I just do it so I can beat him.”
Then she narrowed her eyes at us, “What was the meaning of the money exchange?”
I opened my door as Lila explained, which caused Talia to huff again.
That was followed by, “Fine. I’m not interacting with him next time. I will be Switzerland.”
The moment the doors were shut, I cranked the engine, winked at the girls, rolled the windows down, and blastedChevrolet by Hard Target.
The men were shaking their heads, but it was Carter who was smiling.
Oh, that smile. What it does to me.
***
“Okay, go home, change, and meet at my place around eight? Uber there?” Lila asked.
Talia sighed, “Yes to all of that, but no Uber. Garrick said the next time we take an Uber anywhere, we’re going to find out how pissed off he can get.
I snickered, recalling a text that was similar to that. One that Carter had sent me a few months ago.
Carter – Take an Uber again, I’ll slash your fucking tires, then find a way to block the Uber app on your phone. Don’t test me, woman.
I nodded, then asked, “Mind if I invite Everly?”
Talia grinned, “Yes, I miss her.”
Lila nodded, “Of course.”
Grinning, I pulled my phone out and shot a text to Everly.
Me – Hey, you got any plans tonight?
Once I made it home, I changed into a pair of black ripped jeans, a flowy tank, and three-inch heels, did a little makeup, I headed out to my Tahoe.
While I had been getting ready, Everly had texted me letting me know that she didn’t have plans and agreed to meet us at Lila’s house.
While I was driving, a text had come through.
I waited until I hit a red light to read it.
Carter – Talia told the group chat where y’all are going. Seriously, you need me, don’t hesitate to call.
Me – I won’t hesitate, Carter.
Making it to Lila’s, it was just in time for Everly to park her car alongside Talia’s.
Garrick pulled up in his Suburban and rolled the window down. “Let’s ride.”
Garrick was the one to take us places. He was also the one who scared most people.
But to us, he was a big softie.
