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Grace nodded. “You may be a little rusty at small-town life, but you do know what you’re doing. He’d appreciate that.” She looked at Jade. “We should get to our room, though.”

For a split second, Jade looked over at me and I wondered if she would delay going to hang out with her other friends.

“Have fun,” I said. “I have kids to wrangle.”

“Good luck. You’re gonna need it, considering what I’ve heard.”

“Use the noise-canceling headphones you just got.”

I went to turn, but she grabbed my arm. “How did you know I just got noise-canceling headphones?”

“Uh . . . Atticus told me?”

“Is that a question, or are you telling me?”

“T-telling. I really gotta go. Bye!” I didn’t turn around and look at Jade, no matter how much I wanted to.

I swore I felt her eyes on me the entire time.

9

JADE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Kerry Winsor: @Hu Gh Did I just see you with a bunch of chicks???

Comments:

Wren Hackett: Like women or the birds?

Kerry Winsor: I can’t believe I even have to clarify. Birds. They’re birds!

Wren Hackett: Hey, with what Hugh’s got, it’s a possibility.

Atticus Thompson: Chickens are a big responsibility. Let me know if you need help.

Mollie Wilson: Cain knows a lot!

Marjorie Brown: I would pay to see Hugh trying to befriend chickens.

Hu Gh: I REFUSE TO LIVE UNDER PERCEPTION. TAKE THIS POST DOWN.

“Don’t start,” I told Grace when I walked up to her.

“I won’t start it,” she said. “But I can’t promise the others won’t say anything.”

“Oh, God. Is it too late to cancel?” I asked. She grabbed my arm and dragged me behind her. My cheeks were hot when she finally got me into the meeting room. The other women were at a table, all facing me. I laughed awkwardly. “W-why does this feel like an intervention?”

“Sit down,” Wren said.

“This is an intervention,” Mollie added.

Fuck. I was in so much trouble.

“I want to start this by saying I never intended for any of this to happen.”

“Yeah, they all say that.” Wren crossed her arms. “Sit.”