9781250209153

“No. I’m trying to point out that this competition isn’t going to make
you happy.”
“Since when do you care about my happiness?”
“Don’t be such a victim, Zajac. I’ve been playing this girlfriend role
with you for a month now. I’m allowed to make observations.”
I exhale and turn away from her. I can’t even begin to consider whether
this “competition” is still worth it; I’m in too deep now. But I’ve clearly
underestimated Tally. It doesn’t matter how carefully I set up my shot: She
will always hit the basket first.
“It might cheer you up to know that Tally is either really drunk or really
high, or potentially both,” Irene says. “She had her grubby paws on
everything in the kitchen. Literally pushed me out of the way to grab the
tortilla chips.”
“So?”
“So maybe she doesn’t even like that girl. She’s just messed up right
now.”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
Irene watches me out of the corner of her eye. I can feel her piercing
stare. Part of me wishes she would stop. The other part is just grateful to
have someone out here with me.
Irene takes a long sip of her water. We’re both quiet. The air is biting.
“Let’s mess with her,” Irene declares.
I look over at her. “What?”
Her eyes are narrowed. There’s a gleam in them. “Yeah,” she says, more
to herself than to me. “I’ve got an idea.”
Inside, we find my friends hovering in the hallway. Irene wastes no time in
marching up to them.
“Gunther,” she says, and he freezes. “Where did you put those garlic
sticks?”
He points wordlessly to the pile of jackets in the corner. The Partridge
box sits on top of them. Irene opens it, wrinkles her nose, and walks away.
“What is she—?” Gunther stammers.