is back. "If she's

was too busy cooing at Falon, a

ensible, conservative clothes Cyrus liked, but with the things I hadn't worn

round my shoulders. Then I scrubbed the minimal, "natural" makeup off my face

stranger, but a familiar one.

long, so I grew it out. He said short skirts were undignified, so I donated them. He said my friends were too

s had a sort of friendly rivalry, pushing each other in classes and sports, but

's been a while," his vo

ee? I need a drink

years. My other friends, Lisa and Maria, met us there.

isa said, hugging me t

did story of Falon, the grieving wido

expressions turning f

ass on the table. "The grieving widow act is classic. It makes

I asked, the alcohol making my

ow he spoke. "Maybe it's not about stup

looked

you mean?

She says it's his brother'

sharp. We had all been thinking it, b

he way Cyrus defended her, the way he put her needs abo

d blur. The pain was a dull roar in my ears. I just wanted it to s

ion at the door. I looke

as C

our table, his eyes locking on Alvi

're clearly not," Alvie sai

ed my arm, pulling me out o

alf-carried me out of the bar and shoved me in

d with a pounding headache. I was sti

r some water. Falon was

. Cyrus was so worried about you last night. He carried you a

ut her eyes were mockin

of aspirin. But next to it was a fancy breakfast tray, piled high with pancakes and

. He had done it because he was angry I was

with sarcasm, "that he left me a box of aspirin a

e knew I had seen right thr

"You think you have him wrapped around your little finger. But y