“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” She looked down at herself and back up at me like she didn’t know what the hell. That mutinous look she’s been wearing more of late came over her face, and I geared myself up for a showdown. If she thinks she’s going anywhere looking like that, she must plan to end me because that’s the only way that shit’s going to happen over my dead body.
“What’s wrong with it?” I gritted out through my teeth. “You….”
“Hold it!” Lance grabbed my arm, pulling me back when I did start my approach. That’s a good thing because I might’ve crossed the line. She’s fucking naked. “Lance, close your got damn eyes.” Did he snicker?
“I knew they were going to do some dumb shit, so I’ve got us covered.” He held up the bag he was carrying before turning his attention to the twins. “Okay, you’ve had your fun, now go change.” Why isn’t he yelling?
“Wait, you knew they were going to dress like this?” He rolled his eyes.
“Of course not, but bruh, it’s the twins and Tasha; what did you think was going to happen?”
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with the way we’re dressed. You two need to climb out of the cave. It’s just a dance costume, not like we’re going out on the town, and even if we were, what’s it got to do with you two?” I ignored Anna and kept my gaze on Gianna.
“I might expect this from them, but you? What in the last few weeks with me gave you the impression that this would in any way be acceptable? Go put something on before you freeze to death.” I took the bag from Lance and didn’t even bother looking through it because I know we’re on the same wavelength. I hope it’s a fucking gunnysack.
I’m not sure why the twins thought they’d get past either of us in this getup. Then again, Lance is being way cooler than I would’ve expected, but maybe he’s in shock himself. No wonder, of all the stunts they’ve pulled this, is by far the most unexpected. We’ve never had to police what they wear because they know better.
“Here, try again.” I passed her the bag, which she took grudgingly. “And FYI, if this dance you’re about to do involves shaking your ass, you can scratch that shit before you start.” The others started to argue, but I kept my attention on her. I was hoping that she understood I wasn’t trying to embarrass her, that my knee-jerk reaction legit stemmed from the shock of seeing her with her stomach bare and her skirt way above her knees, barely covering her ass.
It was so far out of the realm of reason that I was still having a hard time believing my eyes. When she didn’t move, I just raised my brow at her, at which time she turned on her heels and scurried back into the room. Lance was having a hard time with the twins, but all it took was one look from me to get them moving as well. “You better be glad we got to you before Pop got the chance to see that catastrophe. He’d have shut the party down. Now go and stop being difficult.”
They griped some more but had the good sense to retreat. Now that I think about it, if Gianna is embarrassed, she should be. She should also learn that she doesn’t need to follow anyone else to do something she’s not comfortable with, not even my sisters. There’s no way I’ll believe the shy girl of just a few short weeks ago was happy to parade herself in front of a room full of people for their entertainment dressed like that.
My body’s response is enough to tell me that the last half of this party would be worse than the first. I’ve been keeping the wolves at bay, but if she went down there like that, I’d have to unalive someone. “You believe this shit? What the hell got into them?” Lancelot stood next to me as we both stared at the door they’d disappeared behind.
“Now I’m worried about the dance. What should we do?”
“What can we do? It’s my fault. I’ve been so preoccupied with everything else that I forgot to keep an eye on them.” Then again, I never expected them to pull a stunt like this.
My sisters know damn good and well that there’re some lines they should not cross when it comes to the way they dress. In other words, Pop would bust a gasket if he saw them like that.
At sixteen, they don’t need to be exposing anything. As for Gianna, I’m good with her exposing her damn ankles and nothing else. “Did she fall and hit her head? You think I was too harsh?” Now I feel guilty. I can blame the fact that this is all new to me and the shock of seeing her like that made me react before thinking. “I’ll make it up to her.” Shit!