Page 71 of That Pucking New Girl

Liliana starts brewing me some as I haul myself up into a chair, gingerly massaging my temples.

“It’s better,” I say hesitantly. “I think part of me is worried it’ll come back.”

“Well, you’re not going to school today,” Elijah grunts. “The girls are visiting their grandparents today since they only attend their little school a few days a week. I’m told socialization is important, but they’re plenty social.”

My lips twitch in amusement as I take my cup of coffee and doctor it with sugar and milk. He’s definitely not wrong, but I expect that’s more about playing with other children and not the ones you’re related to.

“You sound loopy,” Jared says, his lips twisting as he thinks. “Why is this one worse than the last one that you had?”

“Stress,” I sigh. “My life is stressful through no fault of my own, so my body finds ways to try to get me to slow down.”

“Well, the club is closed tonight, which means we’re all playing hooky from work. We also found someone to fix your hair if you’re up for it?” Ignacio asks.

“I am,” I say, running my fingers through the jagged strands of hair.

There are pieces that Ciaran missed when he cut it with the knife, and my hair has long as well as very short pieces now. It’s giving a bad version of an eighties hair band. When I caught a glimpse of it this morning in the mirror, I burst into tears.

I hate them so much. No, hate isn’t a strong enough feeling for what I feel.

“Ugh, it’s so bad,” I groan, refusing to touch it anymore.

“We can fix it,” Rachelle says confidently. “There are really good wigs until it grows out if you decide to go that route.”

“You’re all so calm about it,” I mumble, covering my mouth as I yawn.

I take a sip of coffee to help my exhaustion as Ignacio shakes his head.

“I’m not calm,” he grunts. “I’m avoiding the school like the plague so I won’t kill the little shits.”

“If you’re not feeling better by Friday, I may tell the school you have the plague so you can skip the game,” Rachelle says.

“The plague?” I giggle. “That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?”

“Oh, I can be the epitome of dramatic,” she laughs.

“I’ve taught her well,” Liliana teases.

“I’m afraid you have a doctor appointment after your hairdresser is done with your hair,” Rachelle adds, making a face. “I’d reschedule, but this doctor’s schedule is insane.”

“The gynecologist, right?” I ask. Shit, I’d forgotten about that. “If I wear sunglasses, I should be able to make it work. Think anyone will care if I wear them inside?”

“Fuck them if they do,” Elijah shrugs. “I wear earplugs at the club. My area isn’t as loud, but it can still overstimulate me.”

“If he doesn’t answer his comm, it usually means he’s vibing to music and blocking out the world with his earbuds,” Ignacio shrugs. “We’re usually all at the club so we make it work.”

The guys share a glance before Liliana breaks the silence.

“Do you want anything to eat?” she asks.

“No thank you,” I grimace. “I’m kind of nauseous. I don’t think I’ll be able to finish my coffee.”

“Would toast help?” Theo asks hesitantly. “Adding coffee to an empty stomach probably isn’t the best idea.”

“That could work,” I admit, watching as Theo grabs the gluten free bread.

“You don’t even need to change out of your pajamas until after your haircut,” Rachelle shrugs. “I don’t really care what people outside the family think. This is your house, you should feel comfortable in it. We’ll draw the blinds in one of the front rooms if you’re still sensitive to light when she arrives.”

Her words send a pang of pain through my heart. I’ve been here for such a short time, it’s difficult to believe how easily they’ve let me into their lives. No one is suspicious of me, they leave loose change out without worries that someone will take it. I’m a lot of things, but a thief isn’t one of them.