Looking at Lea as if she were an idiot, Mary demanded, “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“That’s the joke,” Lea answered gleefully. “Two curly hairs that want to dance…”
Mary threw up her arms in exasperation. “Get me another drink, you freak!”
Lea winked at Brie as she headed back to the kitchen to refresh everyone’s drink.
When she returned, Brie brought up something that had been eating at her. “I haven’t spoken to Darius yet.” Taking a sip of the fruity drink to calm her nerves, she added, “I haven’t been brave enough to.”
Lea looked at her with compassion. “It must be hard, considering your history with the guy.”
Brie nodded, the weight of it wearing on her soul. “I can’t forget how cruel Darius was to me growing up, and it’s hard for me to reconcile who he was with the man he is today.”
She looked at both of her friends in desperation. “I know if it weren’t for him, I would not be here right now. I owe him my life.”
Taking another sip of the drink, Brie swallowed down the memories of him assaulting her as a child, and stated matter-of-factly, “He risked everything by ratting out Holloway, but…I can’t forget the smug look on his face when he saw me at the compound.”
Mary spoke up. “Trust me. If he had acted any other way, Holloway would have noticed. I guarantee he did it out of self-preservation.”
Brie nodded, accepting the truth of Mary’s statement. “I need to thank Darius. I know that. He’s a hero. Not only did he save my life, but he saved everyone who was in the compound that night.”
“I wouldn’t say anything,” Mary said, surprising her. “If word gets out and Holloway discovers who the rat is, Darius may still pay.”
Brie froze, suddenly stricken.
Lea reached out and squeezed her hand. “Stop worrying about everyone else, Stinky Cheese. Right now, you need to concentrate on taking care of yourself.”
Giving Mary the side-eye, Lea added, “Do you know why the blonde with the bob stared at the orange juice bottle for two hours?” Before Mary could stop her, Lea blurted, “Because it said concentrate.”
Brie burst out laughing while Mary glared at Lea, speechless.
It was wonderful knowing that the three musketeers were still alive and well.