1
Dmitri
The living room lights are on at the front of my parents’ house.I pull into the driveway behind Danica’s car.
Giant raindrops fall with fat splats against my windshield, matching my dark mood.I give myself a pep talk.It will be fine.Our parents will understand, and they’ll take our side.
Fat fucking chance.Mom always sides with Granddad.Dad always sides with Mom.
Danica and I are screwed.
Mom and Dad texted the family chat this morning, sometime after Leah, Gage, and Danica left my house.They want to have a “conversation” about last night.
I spent all day at the Rossi Nature Preserve, walking, thinking.Patrick is dead to me.Leah knows how I feel now, but she still left with Gage.I didn’t expect anything different.Sucks to be apart, though, when I know she must be hurting after what Patrick did.I can’t imagine being drugged and touched without my consent—and Leah lived it.
And Danica’s pissed at me.Maybe she has good reason, after I lied to her.But if she’s mad that I want to be with Leah?She has to get over that.It isn’t changing.Ever.
My windshield is blurry with rain.I’ve been sitting here long enough.
I get out of my car.As I start toward the front door, Danica’s car door opens right next to me.I jump in surprise.
She snickers.“Scared you, ha.”
“Yeah, ha.”I’m glad she’s kept her mean sense of humor.“So you were waiting for me.Scared to go in?”
“Eh.”
We walk slowly to the porch even though it’s pouring.Two prisoners heading to the hangman’s noose.
“Are you ready for this?”I gesture at the front door.An Easter wreath hangs there, cheerful with its bright greenery and miniature pastel eggs.
Danica scowls at the wreath.“Nope.”
“Look.”I keep my voice low so the porch camera can’t pick it up.I doubt our parents will review any footage, but better safe than sorry.“Just take it.Whatever they say.Whatever apology they ask for.Just do it.It’ll be easier.”
“The fuck I will.”She puts her hands on her hips.“You see this make-up?”
She used a lot of liner and shadowy shit to emphasize her eyes.
“Uh…yeah?Are those fake eyelashes?”
“You bet your ass they are.You see this dress?”
“Yeah…” It’s an odd choice for a conversation with our parents.Black, sleek, and low-cut, it looks like something she might wear to a club.
She gestures at herself.“This is my warrior costume.I am going in there and they cantryto read me the riot act.I will not fucking back down.Patrick is disgusting.He deserves worse than an arrest and the slap on the wrist they’ll give him.”
“You’re right, but you’re only making it harder on us.”
“Leah deserves someone in her corner.I thought at the very least it would be you, since you’re fucking her.”
“Danica—fuck, Jesus.Don’t say that.”
She gives me a level stare.
Goddamn.The warrior costume works.I give up and look away.She wins.
As for what Danica thinks Leah deserves, well, yeah.Leah deserves the world.She deserves to have Danica, me,andmy parents in her corner.
