Read Online Fairest by Beth Bishop - Free Book Online Page A

stars, today,” Linc said with a smile. “A plain, tan bra, size—”
    I whipped the comb across his naked thigh and then pointed it at him. He hissed and rubbed the reddening spot. “Get. I need to change.”
    â€œGiy-it,” he said, mocking my accent, and winced at the welt on his leg. “I feel like a bad dog.” He jerked his chin at my bag and grinned at me. “Say, does Whit know your bra size?” He hopped down and unlocked the door.
    I shoved him out of the bathroom. Since he was an athlete and solid, I knew he let me shove him. When I did, we found Whit sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at Linc’s strewn clothes.
    â€œWhat the hell, man?” Whit asked.
    Linc held up his hands. “Look, dude. I—”
    I cut him off by saying, “Your drunk B-F-F crawled up in bed with me and passed out. So, don’t worry. This kettle,” I pointed to myself with the comb, “is still pristine.” I slammed the bathroom door closed.
    Through it, I could hear them. I couldn’t make out specific words, so I tried to ignore them. I took off the towel and put on my underwear. In preparation for flying, I brought a long-sleeved T-shirt, my favorite black hoodie, jeans, and sneakers.
    After dressing—except for the hoodie—I took out my dryer and blew out my hair. I normally would’ve let it air dry, but the roar drowned out everything else so nicely. I dusted powder over my face, added a bit of clear gloss, tugged on my hoodie, and declared myself ready for the airport.
    When I walked back into the bedroom, Linc and Whit stopped talking and looked at me. Whit started to speak, but my phone rang. I grumbled mock curse words, and after digging out my phone and seeing it was my stepmother, I answered.
    Turning my back on the boys, I said, “Hey, Lizette.”
    â€œSkye, honey. I just wanted to call and check in. Are you still going to that concert?” She sounded worried.
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s something Winston would approve of. Is anyone going with you?”
    â€œUh, yeah. Some friends,” I lied.
    â€œWell,” she drew out the syllable, “I guess if you won’t be alone, I shouldn’t tell you no. I’m not really your mother.” She always said things like that, as if it freed her of any responsibility where I was concerned. “Are you flying out, today?”
    â€œYeah, at noon.”
    â€œYou’ve got plenty of money?”
    â€œSome cash, and I’ve got a card. I’ll see you soon.”
    â€œI look forward to it, honey,” she said.
    I ended the call and turned back toward Whit and Linc. “Do I need to call a cab?” I asked as I scrolled through my saved numbers.
    â€œNo.” Whit came to me and pushed my hand down so I couldn’t fool with the phone. “I’m fine, and I said I would drive you.”
    I dropped the phone in my bag. “Saying you will drive me and wanting to drive me are two different things. How long until we leave?”
    He looked surprised and confused. “You don’t want to eat or anything? You have plenty of time.” He tried a smile on me. “I thought you might make me breakfast, again.”
    I narrowed my eyes. “Could you be more self-absorbed?”
    â€œIt was a joke, Skye.”
    I slung my bag over my shoulder and left the room. I went down to the bottom floor and over to the kitchen. Linc and Whit followed me. The three of us were the only people awake. After digging around in the fridge, I found a bottle of juice. In the pantry, I found a box of meal bars and snagged one.
    As I shook up the juice, I asked, “Can we go, soon?”
    Whit took out a bottle of juice. “I didn’t think you had a bad time last night. I mean, other than Linc getting in bed with you.”
    I chugged the juice and set the bottle down on the counter. “You are