Page 81 of Chasing Headlines
Those two had never really gotten along. And each of them made sure to tell me how little they saw in the other. I glanced at Cathy but she had her headphones on, leaving me stuck between Dubby and Hilda on my own. Great.
“Her legs are a feature. And they should be wrapped around a chosen man's muscular hips getting a workout of a lifetime. Finally.” She shot a look at me. “But as I said before, she's frigid.”
“I'm not. I just haven't had time to be?—”
“Even I don't buy that one, Livia, and I don't agree with Dublin as a matter of principle,” Hilda said. She fixed me with a heavy-lidded stare that screamed: I'm not amused.
“I don't want to talk about this right now.” I mumbled.
“Take a lover, or two or five. Why choose after all?” Dublin swept her long dark hair over her shoulder. “We may resort to drastic measures if you're still a virgin come sophomore year. Consider yourself warned.”
“She doesn't need a timeclock. She just needs to stop chasing the ones wearing baseball pants.”
“You're the one who should stop running from the one who thinks you're a goddess on Earth,andhappens to look damned fine in baseball pants.”
Her lips thinned and she pointed at me. “If he doesn't stop stalking me, Liv, I swear to heaven?—”
“What stalking? You make it sound like he sneaks around and steals your garbage.”
She threw up her hands. “He's like the anti-visa. He's everywhere Idon'twant him to be.”
“He's nice, funny, attractive—and worships the ground you walk on. Why not humor him and go ononedate? Like over coffee in the middle of the day. Lots of onlookers.”
“That's how it starts. And I donothave time verga. Not for dating or a relationship. And definitely not for some hotshotballplayer who thinks everything he does would come first. No mames.”
“You never know. Maybe he'd be the kind that would make sure youcumfirst. He does seem like a cinnamon roll.” Dublin yawned. She cast a sly glance at me. And I wished to God I had some kind of control. But blood rushed to my cheeks. My skin blazed like fire. Again.
I have this terrible feature. I turn bright crimson when I'm super embarrassed. Dublin has always found it hysterical. And I swear she says the most outlandish thingsjustto see if she can make me turn red. I think more places should plant hydrangea bushes so I can blend in with the scenery. Anytime she opens her mouth.
“And what do I win?” Her grin was this over-much expression straight out of a stock photo marked 'excitement'. “Liv's actually redder than acherrytomato this time.”
I snarled at her. “I hate you.”
“You love me, darling. Especially since I just sent you money.” She stood from the couch, balancing herself on five-inch heels with some dainty flick of her wrist.
“You'll just be back to borrow it tomorrow.”
“Oh, I'm flush until at least next week.” She tossed her hair as she runway-stalked to the door. “But you know me too well. Tah!” She closed the door behind her.
“And she's gone again.” I glanced over at Hilda. She finished a large gulp of water from the plastic bottle.
“What does she even do?” She shook her head. “No, I don't want to think about it. I have to study.” She waved a hand and picked up her bag from the coffee table.
“So, when will you need my help?” Cathy stood and pitched her empty Star Struck can into the trash.
“I'm waiting on a text from Rivers.”
“What help?” Hilda said. “Did I miss something?”
“It's nothing. Just a journalistic source thing.” I sat and found a very interesting string stuck to the hem of my dress.
“Livia . . .” Hilda's voice started low and she drew out my name. I cringed.
“It's a hacking thing.”
“Alleged hacking.” Cathy chimed in. She opened a new can of soda.
“I thought we said no hacking, cuate.”