“If it’s a democracy,” Connor cuts in, “then why were you voting without us, Rose?” Good points.
“You weren’t here, Richard.” She spins to him. “Now that you are, you can have your vote.”
“A pity vote,” Connor says easily. “You’re giving me something you hate.”
Rose’s narrowed eyes actually soften at this blow. Her shoulders slacken for a second.
Daisy switches off the faucet, and I realize she’s already rinsed the toothpaste from her mouth. Ryke is holding her hand, which is really cute. I try to contain a burgeoning smile. One second, I’m near tears and now I’m almost beaming. My hormones need to take a water break and let me be at a content stasis, for once.
“I don’t think we should fight about this,” Daisy says softly.
“We’re not,” almost everyone says in unison—everyone but Ryke who just rolls his eyes at us.
“It’s toilet paper,” I suddenly pipe in. “We’re reclaiming our…”
“Power,” Rose proclaims, raising her chin.
Ryke shakes his head. “There’s better fucking ways to feel safe than retaliating.” His eyes ping from me, to Rose, to Daisy, and then back to me.
I hesitate between siding with Lo, who I believe is right about not provoking our neighbors, or with my sisters, who need my support. “Daisy should decide,” I realize. I want to do what Daisy feels is best. She’s the one who’s frightened the most.
Daisy wavers uneasily, all eyes pinning to her. Ryke stands behind her, his arms wrapped around her chest so no one can see her nipples. That’s even cuter than the hand holding. I catch my expression in the mirror. Oh my God, my smile is so dopey looking.
“I…don’t want to upset anyone,” she finally says.
“You won’t,” Connor tells her. “Everyone has their own opinions, and we’ll respect yours. Though there is a right answer and a wrong answer here.”
Rose smacks his chest with the back of her hand. He catches it and kisses her palm.
“Can I have some time to think about it?” Daisy asks.
“Yes,” I say before Rose shoots her down. “It’s probably better if you think about it first.”
Surprisingly, Rose nods in agreement, though I bet she’s still plotting revenge scenarios in her mind. I wish I had a voodoo doll or magic where I could enact non-lethal punishment from afar. Like Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Though her spells usually backfired.
I hook my finger through the hem of Lo’s sweatpants, and I lock eyes with Daisy. “Sleepover?”
“What are you talking about?” Ryke asks.
Rose’s fingers are laced with Connor’s. “We were considering spending the night in one of the guest rooms, just us girls.”
Ryke’s features darken like an incoming thunderstorm. He obviously would rather her sleep with him, but maybe he’s afraid she’ll kick us too. And I wonder what he does at night to make her feel safe and whether she’ll even be able to fall asleep with us.
“Speak,” Rose snaps at him.
“If Daisy wants to have a sleepover with you two that’s fucking fine,” Ryke declares. “I’m not going to tell her what to do. All I want is what she wants.”
The corners of Rose’s lips curve upwards. “You are so much better than Julian.”
Lo lets out a dry laugh. “Over half of the male population is better than Daisy’s ex-boyfriend.”
“Don’t fucking remind me about him,” Ryke says.
Daisy clears her throat. “I do know what I want to do, about sleeping tonight.” Everyone focuses on her. She inhales strongly and says, “I think I should sleep in my own bed. I really don’t want to roll over onto one of you, and I’m afraid I’ll be so freaked about it…and other things that I won’t fall asleep.”
I nod understandingly, as does Rose.
“Thanks for telling us your feelings,” I say to Daisy with a smile.
She smiles back.
I would’ve liked either one she chose, but this one is a very good option. I’m getting Loren Hale tonight.
My most favorite thing in the world.
{ 4 }
LILY CALLOWAY
The champagne-colored comforter bunches at the bottom of the king-sized bed, and neither of us wastes energy to tug them up. A thin layer of sweat coats my body, and despite the faint exhaustion swirling around me, I crave a repeat.
My fluctuating hormones have not helped my cause. At all.