Chapter Five
Presley
“ Bitch! I can’t believe that just happened,” Agatha says, just as shocked as I am.
“Me neither… but it felt amazing .” I sigh, tension still humming through my bones. “I’m so sick of people judging me when they don’t even know me.”
“I know the real you.” She wraps her arms around me. “And I’m damn proud to call you my bestie boo.”
“Aww, I love you, too.”
She pulls back, eyes narrowing. “Now spill, what had that silly grin on your face before I made it obvious I was watching?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, dragging her along.
“Oh no. You’re not leaving me hanging.”
“I can and I will ,” I say, flipping my hair dramatically. “Maybe I’ll tell you later.”
“And maybe we’ll skip the rest of school so you have to tell me.” She twirls me to face her.
“We can’t skip. They’ll call our parents.”
“Let them. We’re top of the class, maybe they'll cut us some slack.” She’s already leading the way, not waiting for my answer. “Let’s go.”
“Agatha Kristie! ”
“Don’t use my government name! After everything this morning? You deserve a free day.”
She’s not wrong. It’s the only reason I let her tug me outside to her brand new, sleek, black, two-door Volkswagen Tiguan, an early birthday gift.
She clicks her key fob and the car purrs to life. Must be nice.
“Luxury looks good on you,” I mutter.
“Please. You could’ve had the same thing. You turned it down.”
She’s right. My parents offered me the white version, which makes zero sense because I’m not even old enough to get my license yet. I only have a driver’s permit, same as Agatha. But since this is a small town, most of the kids get a pass.
Rafe was pissed, but he got over it, same as them. I’ll get a car when the time is right.
“You’re right,” I say. “I just didn’t want them going broke over a car.”
“They weren’t. My parents were going halfsies. You know they think you’re their long-lost daughter.” She bumps her shoulder against mine. “The offer still stands. But enough about that. Get your juicy ass in the car. We ride, bitches! ”
“ Who’s bitches? It’s just us.”
She laughs as I slide into the passenger seat, and we peel out like we’ve got somewhere important to be.
Two Hours Later
Shopping usually makes me want to scream, but Agatha always makes it bearable. My mom ruined it for me ages ago, dragging me from store to store, trying on clothes we’d never buy, like it was some kind of Olympic event.
The worst part? The lies. "We’ll get food after this." Lies. All lies.
Maybe that’s why I have trust issues.
Bags in hand, we find a cute, little coffee shop, not Starbucks, but it’ll do. After ordering, we sit and get comfy.
“So,” Agatha says casually, “have you seen Ry naked?”
I choke on nothing.
“Shit, are you okay?” she asks, slapping my back as I wheeze.
“I’ve died and gone to Heaven. You whore. ”
“How was I supposed to know you were actually choking?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because he’s like your brother, and I know you’ve seen that beefcake in the buff.”
“I wish I could bleach my eyes and wipe my memory.”
“Girl, whatever. Your brothers are fine .” She gives me a sly look. “Especially Rygaard.”
“Ugh, I’m gonna throw up.”
“You started it.”
“You’re most welcome.” I smirk. But then I notice her giving me that look. “What?” I ask.
“Have you?” Still on that?
“I’ve seen his chest,” I mumble. Agatha’s relentless. She’s always been this way, nosy with zero boundaries. “I can feel you staring.”
“Good. Be afraid.” She grins. “Be very afraid.”
The barista calls our names. “I’ll grab them,” she says, sauntering off.
She can be exhausting… But I wouldn’t trade her for anything.
When she returns, she hands me my drink and fixes me with that look again. “So. You’ve had a crush since thirteen. Now that you’ve grown into yourself, you’re telling me Ry hasn’t noticed ?”
What happened Saturday night definitely says otherwise.
That crush came outta nowhere. One day, I looked up during a game night, and bam , boy next door turned into a man.
Deep voice, chiseled pecs, messy hair. I was gone.
“Hello?” Agatha snaps her fingers. “You’re zoning again.”
“Fine!” I blurt. “I wore that barely-there outfit on purpose. I knew Rafe wouldn’t come to drag me out of the theater, so Ry would. I wanted him to see me. I wanted him to know. And he noticed.”
Her eyes light up. “ Betch! What did he do?”
“Told me I looked good enough to eat. Then he caged me against the wall.” My lips curl at the memory.
“That smirk… what did you do? ”
I sip my coffee, trying to play it cool. “I licked my lips, turned around, flicked my hair in his face, and backed into him… a little.”
“ Betchhhh! ” she gasps. “He wants you.”
“One moment doesn’t prove anything.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” she says smugly.
We sip the rest of our drinks, chatting about plans for the new year before heading home.
“Bye, girl. Thanks for today,” I say as she speeds off like a maniac.
I catch a familiar scent in the air, warm leather and amber. Rygaard’s cologne. But I’m too wiped to care. I head upstairs, shower, and knock out. Shopping may not be cardio, but it’s exhausting.