Slowly We Trust (Fall and Rise #3)(16)
Author: Chelsea M. Cameron

“And I have to get to the library,” Katie said. “You going to stay until she wakes up?”

“Sure, I have nothing better to do,” Trish said. “I’ll take care of her.”

Katie and Lottie said goodbye and left, closing the door softly. I decided it was time to wake up, so I groaned and stretched, letting my eyes open slowly.

“Well, good afternoon, Sleeping Beauty,” Trish said, sitting down next to me.

“Where did everyone go?” I rubbed my eyes and sat up.

“Work and library. I have nothing better to do, so I’m your babysitter right now.” She gave me a wide smile.

“I don’t need a babysitter, you know.” I moved my hand to push my hair over my shoulder and then I realized that it was still in the braid Katie had made earlier.

“I know, but I’m really terrible with this being-friends-with-girls stuff, and Lottie and Katie have experience, blah, blah, blah. What do you say we get you out of this room? I know it’s hard right now. I remember when Ric died, all I wanted to do was live in bed forever, but Max got me up and out and it helped. Even if I hated him at the time. So come on. Get dressed in real clothes and we’ll go somewhere.” She smacked me on the knee and gave me a look that said there was no room for argument.

I climbed off my bed and went to grab some “real” clothes. I’d put on yoga pants and a baggy sweatshirt after my shower earlier.

Trish turned her back as I stripped and put on a pair of dark jeans and a cream sweater.

“Better?” I asked and she turned around.

“You really need some more color in your wardrobe. I know you’re preparing to be a fancy lawyer and all, but you’re young. You should make bold fashion choices while you still can. Maybe Katie and I could team up and do a makeover, even though our tastes are completely different.”

I could admit that Katie had done a great job with Lottie, and Trish had the kind of effortless, daring style that I knew I couldn’t pull off. But it might keep them (and me) busy and not thinking about things.

“Fine. I’m sure Lottie is tired of being Katie’s human Barbie. Might as well give her a break.”

“That’s the spirit,” Trish said, patting me on the shoulder as we walked to the parking lot where one of Stryker’s “project” cars was parked.

“So how is Stryker enjoying his freedom?” Stryker had technically finished school last semester, but he was sticking around to be with Katie and he’d gotten a job as a teaching assistant and a part time internship with the lab on campus.

“He’s been insufferable lately. I liked him more when he was all brooding and quiet and smoked too much. Now he’s all . . .” she waved her hand in the air, searching for the right word.

“Happy?” I supplied.

“Yeah. It’s unnatural. I’m not used to my brother smiling and laughing so much. Which is pretty twisted if you think about it.”

“That is pretty twisted,” I said as she turned her car on, cursing at it a few times before it rumbled to life.

“I thought Stryker fixed it?”

“He did, but this car has decided to screw me over. It’s sort of a battle of wills, but I’m not going down without a fight. Do you hear that?” She yelled the last part at the dashboard.

“So where are we going?” Trish shook her head as she pulled out of the lot and drove onto the main road in and out of campus.

“Uh uh. I’m not telling you. It would ruin the surprise.” She started fiddling with the crackling radio, skipping to the next station before I could even figure out what song was playing.

“I thought you said you were cheering me up. You should probably know that I don’t like surprises.” I hated them, honestly. When I was a kid, I always found my birthday and Christmas presents where my parents hid them just because I couldn’t stand not knowing what they were, and how to react to getting them.

That never stopped Will from surprising me though . . .

“Surprises are good for you. Get you out of your comfort zone. And I think this will be especially good for you.” She had a smirk on her face that was making very uncomfortable.

When I’d first met Trish, I didn’t think I’d have anything in common with her, but then I found out about her family situation and that she was really sweet under the angry eye makeup and orange hair and tattoos. Plus, she had a soft spot for gooey romantic books, and she was one of those people who was always doing sweet things for others, but didn’t want anyone to know about it. And she loved her brother with a fierceness that she would deny if asked.

I finally made her stop changing the radio stations because it was giving me a headache, but she still wouldn’t tell me where we were going. We didn’t head for the highway, so it couldn’t have been anywhere that far. But fifteen minutes later we pulled into the parking lot of what appeared to be a tattoo shop, judging by the sign and neon lights promoting tattoos and piercings.

“Uh, Trish?”

“Yes, Audrey?” She turned to me with an innocent look on her face. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a guy wearing a leather vest with nothing underneath smoking while leaning against the building.

“What are we doing here?”

“Well, I am here to get another hole punched in my body and you’re here to hold my hand and make sure I don’t pass out.”

“But you have a million piercings. Aren’t you used to it by now?”

Trish grinned and opened her door.

“You’d think, but no.”

“Then why do you keep doing it?” I reluctantly opened my door and stepped out, but I was ready to bolt at any moment.

Trish stopped and thought about it for a moment.

“I have no idea.”

I braced myself on the hood of the car as Trish just kept walking.

“Come on, Aud. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” She went to the door and held it open for me.

Once again, I had two options, but I was pretty sure Trish could outrun me. She might be shorter, but I was wearing heeled boots.

“Come on, come on. Aren’t you just a little bit curious?” I sighed and stepped away from the car.

“Fine. But I’m not getting a tattoo or piercing anything. No matter what. I mean it.” I pointed my finger at her to make my point.

“You’re just here for moral support. Got it.” She nodded and I walked slowly into the shop. Okay, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The floor was tiled in black and white squares and it was surprisingly bright, like a doctor’s office. A girl with black and blonde hair filed her nails as she sat behind the desk right next to the door. She looked up at us as the door closed.