Clipped by Love (Bellevue Bullies 2)

No, whoa, did I just think that? Shit.

They laugh before Mandie says, “Murder is a sign of true love.”

“Or insanity,” I suggest, and they both scoff at me as my door opens.

“Bay, let’s go,” Dad says, popping his head in. “We are running late.”

“Yeah, coming,” I say, getting out of my chair and grabbing my shoes. “Okay, this has been real, but I gotta go.”

“Where you off to?” Delanie asks.

“Team-building exercise. We are gonna run up a hill.”

“Because nothing says team like runni

ng,” Delanie says, and I agree.

“For sure,” I mumble since running is my least favorite thing to do.

“Well, have fun,” she says.

“And maybe try talking to Jayden,” Mandie says, and I roll my eyes. “You never know.”

“Never know what? It isn’t like we are gonna get together and be happy.”

“Why not?” she asks incredulously. “It could be good for you.”

“Because he is my enemy. He wants what I want, and I refuse to give it to him.”

“Oh my God, you are insane,” she says and I scoff.

“Been called worse,” I say, reaching for the door and going out. “Nice talk, kinda, but I’ll talk to you ladies later.”

“Oh, Baylor!”

I pause. “Yeah?”

“Happy birthday!” they say, and then they are singing to me. I grin as my heart explodes in my chest. Not too many people have ever wished me happy birthday other than my dad. I know that’s sad, but people really don’t notice anything about me but my hockey abilities.

“We wish we could have come down to party for your twenty-first, but we got you on break!” Delanie says and I grin.

“I can’t wait.”

And I can’t. It’ll probably be a highlight for me, and Lord knows it’s the only thing I’m looking forward to.

We say our goodbyes just as I reach my dad’s truck and get in. I slam the door, and he looks over at me as he starts it. “Delanie and Mandie?”

I nod. “Yup.”

“Miss ’em, eh?”

I shrug. “Yeah, I’m lonely here.”

“Make friends,” he suggests, but I shake my head. “Maybe then you wouldn’t be sitting in the house alone while the boys are having a back-to-school party.”

“Don’t have time for that.”

“You could go. It is your birthday. Go get wild.”