Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“He’s still active on the dating apps,” she says, letting out a sigh.
“How do you know?” I ask.
“I can see he’s active when I log on.”
“So you’re active, too?” Mabel tips her head.
“Yeah, but it’s different. I’m not trying to hookup with random guys.”
“Is he?” Mabel asks innocently.
“Not guys, but girls. I mean, I’m assuming. I’m only still active because I’m certain someone is going to disappoint me so I need options.”
“The crazy thing is,” I start. “I totally get that. But we probably shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I mean, actually, why not. Most men suck.”
“They do,” Mabel agrees. “And it hasn’t gotten any better in the last century. If anything, men have gotten worse!”
“Thank goodness you have a husband,” Delphi says to her. “I cannot imagine trying to date for more like one lifetime. I’d be single. Can vampires be nuns?”
“I don’t think so,” I reply. “Speaking of husbands. Has your ex left you alone?”
“He more or less has, but his girlfriend is a trip,” Delphi shakes her head. “She’s been on a rant, posting all over TikTok about how exhausting it is to be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”
Mabel and I both laugh. “Dude, he downgraded so hard,” I say, remembering the posts Delphi showed me before. “And she’s really threatened by you.”
“I don’t get it.” Delphi pulls up the new girlfriend’s profile to show Mabel. “I am the one who filed for divorce. Clearly, I did not want to be with that man. So why is she acting like I’m jealous?”
“She’s very insecure,” Mabel says, quickly looking through all the photos. “And I can see why. I mean, look at you. You’re pretty, successful, kind and interesting. Isn’t that why you’re worried about the guy you’re dating’s ex?”
“Dammit, you’re right.” She wrinkles her nose. “It’s much more fun to chastise her.” She motions to the phone.
“Oh, it is,” I say. “So let’s do it.” We laugh. “Just whatever you do, don’t go posting like your ex husband’s girlfriend does and please don’t call yourself a bonus mom unless the kids say it first.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t. A daily goal of mine is to actually be a decent person and then not come off as pathetic.”
We all laugh and continue talking and gossiping as Delphi and I eat. Mabel has us record selling TikTok trends and by the time Delphi leaves, I feel so much better. I’ve heard that having female friends is really important.
I’ve never experienced the benefits of it until now.
Xavier texts me as I’m winding down to go to bed around three AM, telling me that he has one more meeting with some of his human business partners and he’ll be home in a few hours. Assuming he means some of the gang members we’ve been having issues with, I tell him okay and that I love him, and then go into the kitchen to finish the rest of the chips and salsa.
The booming music coming from Zeke’s car fills the garage.
“Guys are home,” I say to myself. “I really do need a cat. At least I’d be talking to something.”
“Wren! Look,” Antonio says when he stumbles into the kitchen. pointing to a smudge of red on his collar. “It’s blood.”
I narrow my eyes, taking in his bloodshot pupils. Then I look at Devon—who was supposed to be responsible for him. Both he and Zeke both avoid my gaze, and Devon runs a hand over the back of his head.
“He may have… slightly accidentally done a little bit of Molly,” Devon admits. “Or mushrooms. Or both.”
I stare at him. Then at Zeke. Slowly, I shake my head.
“I love you, sis,” Antonio says, pulling me into a hug and patting my back. “It’s really cool that you have magic. I wish I had magic.” He holds his hands up in front of his face, moving his fingers slowly like he’s trying to see something that isn’t there. “I mean… maybe I do have magic.”
I cross my arms over my chest and look at Zeke. “Can you hold him spellbound and put him to bed or something?”
“Holding someone spellbound when they’re in an altered state isn’t as easy as it sounds,” Zeke explains. “He could spiral into a bad trip.”
“Fine,” I say. “Catch him.”
I step forward, pressing my hand to Antonio’s forehead, and gently cast him into sleep. Letting out a sigh, I put the chips and salsa away and go upstairs, trying to stay awake until Xavier gets home. I don’t, and I end up falling asleep, not waking until eleven AM the next morning.
I really do need to get on some sort of sleep schedule. After I get up and shower, I stop by Antonio’s room. I’ve been hungover before, but I have no idea what it feels like to come down from ecstasy or shrooms. Do you feel hungover, too? Was he drunk in addition to being high? I want to give him shit for it, but I don’t.