Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

“There’s no point, Krisjen,” I say. “We’re both graduating, leaving town
—”
“None of that matters!” she growls. “Just be here now!”
I’ve stopped breathing, Krisjen’s anger startling me.
“There’s no tomorrow,” she goes on. “What are you worried about? Just
be here today!”
A tear spills down my face, feeling like I’m being scolded by a mom I
didn’t really have.
I don’t want to be hurt.
Maybe I love her. Maybe she’ll break me again or I’ll break her, or
maybe we’ll leave each other in August.
Maybe we’ll never see each other again.
But maybe she’s worth a few more months.
A few weeks.
One more day.
I look over at Macon who watches me in silence, and I don’t know what I
see in his eyes, but I understand it.
This could be it.
I drop my gaze to the box in her arms, knowing that dress will be a little
small for me, not to mention my brothers will peel with laughter at me
trussed up like Cinderella, but…
She didn’t bring the tux back. Does that mean Clay’s wearing it?
She pats the bag hanging around her neck. “I’ve got makeup, hair stuff…
Let’s do this.”
I can’t help but smile a little. I wonder how many times Clay’s tried to
call or text the past couple of days. Will she want me there?
Oh, fuck it. Fuck it all. There is no tomorrow.
Krisjen heads past me, toward the stairs but stops and eyes Aracely.
“Aracely, right?” she asks. “It’s going to take two of us to get her boobs into
this dress. I’d appreciate the help.”
I laugh under my breath at Ara’s pissed-off expression at a Saint ordering
her around. Normally, I’d take her side over one of St. Carmen’s, but Krisjen
has the mettle to hang over on this side of the tracks.
I head up the stairs, both of them follow behind me.
“So, uh…Army…” Krisjen starts.
But I cut her off. “No.”
“What?”