I turn to Liv, apologizing to her as well. “Liv, I’m sorry for so much too.”
She smiles, a genuine full smile that is so rare I can’t remember the last time I saw it. “Apology accepted, brother.” She leans back in her chair, pointing first at Chase and then at me. “And not that either of you fuckers asked, but my conversations with Dad? Nonexistent. Never happen. I get the pleasure of dealing with his weaselly PA, which is hell all its own. Guess I used to think I was missing out on some father-son bonding thing, but now I’m thinking I’m the lucky one who missed out on all that damage.”
It’s inappropriate, irreverent, and downright cheeky, all things Olivia Danger is not. But it’s exactly the right thing to say, and we all suddenly burst into laughter. I don’t think we’ve ever laughed together. Ever.
Chapter 23
Madison
Daily Horoscope, October 30th
Libra - Beware outside evils, as well as internal demons.
Tiff groans as she reads my horoscope. “I think the outside evils are the ones we have to worry about most tonight! I hate working holidays like this. Everyone’s sloppy drunk and forgets to tip. And Mama needs the moolah so I can buy my own candy. Trick or treat myself!” She snaps like that’s already a done deal. It probably is, considering I’ve seen no fewer than three empty bags of candy already littered around the apartment like dead soldiers, PMS-edition.
“I’m not sure Devil’s Night qualifies as an actual holiday. The holiday is Halloween.” Sure, Devil’s Night is total fiction, but some folks do use it as an excuse to get rowdy.
“Pshaw . . . is Christmas Eve a holiday? Yes. It’s the pre-party for Christmas. Devil’s Night is the Halloween pre-party. Ergo, a de facto holiday.” She laughs, a smug look on her face like she actually won that argument.
“Whatever, bitch. You tell yourself what you need to so that you make peace with eating another Snickers bar. Better yet, get a king-size and we’ll split it. We’re gonna need the chocolate to get through the night without getting hangry.”
“Oh, speaking of . . . did I tell you about the video I saw?” Tiff starts, but I put up a staying hand.
“Please, don’t. No overeating videos. No pimple popping, shopping haul, or prank videos either,” I say solemnly before grinning at Tiff’s pout. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Tiff sets her curling iron down on the counter and turns. “All right, shoot. Or do I need to sit down?” Without waiting for an answer, she sits down on the closed toilet in the tiny bathroom we share to get ready.
I give her a nervous smile. “Well. It’s just . . . I’ve been thinking.”
“About what?” Tiff asks.
My stomach tightens. I’m sure she’ll be happy for me, but still . . . “I’ve been giving some serious thought into moving in with Scott.”
Tiffany doesn’t look upset, but instead screams and kicks her feet in the air as she pumps her fists. “I knew it! You two-timing whore you!”
I laugh. Tiff’s never short on a loving insult. “He’s mentioned it to me a few times. I know he’s serious, and at first, I just didn’t think I was ready. But I’m starting to feel more comfortable. I didn’t give him an answer yet, but I brought it up this morning and he was buzzing. Like literally, a peacock walking around like my moving in was a win for him!” I say, looking around at our apartment through the open door and mentally comparing it to Scott’s place. It’s not so much the penthouse itself, although it’s nice, obviously. It’s that he’s there.
Tiff purses her lips, crossing her arms. “Moving in together. That’s heavy shit, girl,” she says as a smile breaks out.
“I mean . . . I know you’d be on your own but—”
Tiffany laughs, hugging me. “I knew this would happen!” Tiff raises her head to the sky, as if speaking to the heavens. “Why did I let this girl out? The first taste of dick and she’s ready to abandon me.” She brings her head back down, looking at me. “No way, girl. I’m just kidding. I’m so happy for you. If that’s what makes you happy—if he makes you happy—go for it!”
“Are you sure?” I ask, and Tiffany laughs again.
“Hell yes! Don’t you dare worry about me. You go get you some of that fine ass man