You Never Can Tell #2
For one entire minute, the only sound is our breathing and the sound of Jinx cleaning herself as she resettles. The muscles in my back slowly unclench, and I let the rest of my body follow suit until I’m very relaxed and mellow.
That’s when Cori’s hand snakes over and pokes my side. “Okay, I’m bored now. Tell me every single thing that’s happened since, like, Tuesday. To start, of course. I’ll need more later.”
I roll my head over and meet her eyes, which are crinkled at the corners despite the weariness. “You first,” I say. “Why the surprise visit? Was Raina’s inquiry too much, or is there another reason you came in person rather than video chat or whatever?”
My friend lets out a tiny, strained laugh.
“Things on the home front are… a lot since Paris. My mom’s having social events every night, and every single one feels like they’re auditioning someone for a betrothal.
It’s like they think if they parade enough eligible bachelors in front of me, I’ll forget that I’m gay and get in line like a good little polar bear.
I have no idea why, because they’ve been okay with it until this summer. So there’s that nonsense to start.”
I bark a laugh, startling Jinx. “They’re seriously delulu, as Fitz would say, if they think that’s going to work. I thought your folks were a bit more evolved than that.”
“Yeah, it’s making me feel like I used to get away with it because I was cute and young.
Now it’s all ‘act like a lady’ and ‘don’t embarrass the family’ and I can’t even fake it.
” Cori looks at her hands, flexes them into fists as she growls softly.
“I keep telling them they can stuff these dumbasses where the sun doesn't shine, but… it’s not as effective as I hoped. Especially since…”
“Since what?” I ask, frowning at her as I roll to my side and put my face in my hand. “It sounds like something triggered this race to procreation partners, Coco, and I’m in the dark.”
She sighs, rubbing a palm over her face before she mumbles, “You’re one of my best friends, D, but I didn’t want to tell anyone about this until I really knew, you know?
And, um, well… Ru-Ru found out accidentally and I wanted to talk about it then, but you were in unsafe land working things out with gargoyles, you know? ”
The words hit harder than I expect. I feel my throat tighten as a tiny bit of rejection sensitivity makes me feel excluded.
But I don’t think Cori would really do that on purpose, so I force myself to calm down so we can chat.
“You’re my bestie, too, you know,” I say softly.
“You and Rufus are probably the first real friends I’ve ever had.
The Heathers were obviously not my genuine friends, and Todd was a douchebag.
I guess Mattie counts, but she’s really more like—”
“Dolly. I get it,” Cori smiles at me, and I feel my face heat with embarrassment. “And I’m honored by that, so please, please don’t think that I was leaving you out. After Giselle, I was really gun-shy about stuff. I wasn’t planning to tell anyone when Rufus found out; you have to believe me.”
I reach over, and she grabs my hand, squeezes once.
“Okay. So what’s the big secret, then? You mentioned that ex, so I guess it’s about a girl, especially with your parents overdoing it like you said.
It must be serious for them to even know—I’d like to find out how that happened, too, if possible. ”
My bestie gets a shadow behind her eyes, but there’s also that flicker of something new.
She’s struggling with whatever blowback is happening because of this association, and that frustrates her.
However, I think it’s a big deal, and she wants to talk about it more than she’s admitting.
This new paramour must be significant for her to make such a solid stand while keeping it furtive.
I hope it’s not someone we’ll find out is working for the bad guys eventually; I fear it would break my soft-hearted friend.
“They found out because, much like with Ru-Ru, we got caught by family fame stalkers. It was an innocuous moment that was spread over the internet in certain circles, and you haven’t seen it because you and your guys aren’t looking for it.
” Coco grins a little and shrugs. “Plus, Farley’s been trying to help quell the spillover with some folks he’s working with in Paris because it’s made trouble for her as well. ”
I arch a brow. “Are you going to tell me who this super important, fucking mysterious girl is or what?”
She hesitates, and that’s when I know I’m right about how vital this information is.
The way she picks at her sleeve, the minor hitch in her voice—those are the signs.
I let the silence stretch as she gathers herself.
Eventually, she blurts, “You have to promise to hear me out before you decide if you’re going to punch me. ”
I go still. “I promise, unless it’s a fucking Heather. If so, all bets are off, woman.”
“Ew, no. That’s gross as shit,” Cori says as she makes a face. “I’m making it worse by stalling. Fuck, this is hard. I don’t want you to be upset with anyone.”
Jinx, sensing tension, sits up and stares at both of us, her blue eyes flickering between us intently.
I try to keep my voice soft and understanding. “Just tell me, okay? Nothing you say is going to make me stop being friends with you.”