Blacklisted Read Free Page B

suggested.
    â€œNo!” I shouted, then felt my cheeks bloom bright. “No,” I said more quietly. “Let’s wait until they’re alone.” I wanted to talk to Erik, yes, but I wanted to do it without a group watching my every move, hearing my every word, and witnessing my every mistake.
    Shanel chewed on her bottom lip. “What if they leave?”
    â€œThat’s a chance I’m willing to take.” Better to miss an opportunity than to humiliate myself.
    A blanket of vulnerability fell over her features. “I just…well…do you think those too-gorgeous-to-live Morevvs are Silver’s family? The girls, I mean?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” I said, but I didn’t sound convincing. Most guys I knew didn’t hang out with their family at clubs. They were probably girlfriends. Or potential girlfriends. I so wanted to turn around and observe their body language with Erik. Don’t do it. Don’t you dare do it . “What are they doing now?”
    â€œStill talking.”
    â€œIs Erik paying any attention to the women?”
    â€œNo, but they’re eyeing him like he’s free candy, all you can eat. It’s disgusting, really. They’re old .”
    Old. Great. Just what Erik liked. My jealousy intensified. I took a moment to breathe, letting my attention snag on a group of human girls just exiting the stairs. They approached the bar.
    I was willing to bet they were only slightly older than me, but they looked infinitely tougher, each one radiating a palpable air that said “I’d rather kick your ass than talk to you.” They were a smorgasbord of colors, from brunettes, to blondes, and even a redhead. One of the girls even had a blue trident tattooed on her cheek.
    Shanel gazed from the group of guys to the group of girls I’d just noticed. “Erik paled when he saw them,” she said, claiming my attention once again. “Do you think he knows them?” With barely a breath, she added, “Score! There’s an empty table next to the guys. If we move, we can listen to their conversation.”
    I shook my head violently. “We can’t switch tables. That’s too obvious.”
    â€œWell, we can’t just sit here, either. I’ve got to know what they’re saying.” She downed the rest of her drink and slammed the glass on the table. “Give me a minute to think, and—wait. I know what we can do.” Reaching out, she hit my glass and “accidentally” knocked it over.
    Liquid spilled toward me and I jumped to my feet with a yelp.
    â€œOh, damn,” she proclaimed loudly. “I’m so clumsy, I knocked over your drink.”
    Several droplets splattered on my boots and I frowned over at Shanel. “A little warning next time would be greatly appreciated.”
    â€œSorry. I had an idea, and I went with it.” For our now-avid audience she said, “Guess we’ll have to switch tables.”
    I almost groaned. Not so obvious, huh?
    Satisfaction gleamed in Shanel’s green eyes as she stood.
    Someone rushed over to clean the mess so that we wouldn’t have to move, but we hurriedly strode to the now empty table in front of Erik and the Morevvs. I knew they were watching us—I felt the heat of their gazes boring into me—and knew I once again sported another blush.
    I hated, hated that I couldn’t control the telltale sign of embarrassment.
    We sat down and Shanel punched in an order on the wall unit for another drink. It arrived minutes later and we were left alone. Well, as alone as two girls inside of a club could get. I kept my back to the group. Call me a coward, but I still couldn’t face them. Not yet.
    I’d always been nervous around boys. The few I’d gone out with had been picked by my mother. Blind dates she’d set up with her coworkers’ kids. Each had lasted exactly three hours. One hour for dinner and two for a movie,