Slow Agony (Assassins, #2)(16)

I collapsed back on the couch. She was going to stay?

“No, that’s nice of you,” said Griffin, “but you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.” She popped around the couch and perched on the edge of it, next to me. “This will be fun, really.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You don’t think it’s going to be impossibly awkward and uncomfortable?”

“Why would it be?” She grinned.

“I don’t know, maybe because you’re f*cking him, and I used to f*ck him, and now we’re all going to try to hang out?”

She got a funny look on her face.

“Daisy,” said Griffin. “Maybe it really would be better if you left.”

She stood up. “Actually, no. I don’t think so. I think Leigh and I might have a lot to talk about.”

He groaned.

She smiled down at me. “You know what I bet would make you feel much better? A shower.”

I covered my face with my hands.

“Oh, don’t be like that,” she said. “Once you get under the hot water, you’re going to thank me. You’ll see. I’ll start it for you.” She bounded into the bathroom. In a few seconds, I heard the sound of the shower starting.

I pushed aside my blanket and got off the couch. I stalked over to Griffin. “Sleeping with a drug dealer?” I asked in a voice low enough that Daisy couldn’t hear.

He gave me a nasty smile. “Wouldn’t put it past you.”

“I hate you.”

“I couldn’t tell her the truth, could I?”

Maybe not. But he could have come up with a more complimentary story, that was for sure. I glared at him. Dick.

*

Eggs were sizzling on a skillet on the stove when I emerged from the shower. I was dressed now, but my hair was still wet. I peered into the kitchen, only to see Griffin’s arms wrapped around Daisy, her face tilted up, their lips together.

He was kissing her.

I felt sick to my stomach.

I wanted to move away. I didn’t want to see it anymore. But my body refused to move, and my eyes refused to look away. I was rooted to the spot, taking it all in. It was the most horrible thing I had ever seen. I could hardly handle it.

It went on for way too long. It wasn’t just a peck, but an open-mouthed kiss. Their tongues were in each other’s mouths.

Finally, they broke apart.

When Griffin saw me standing there, he jumped. “Doll. You’re standing... right there.”

“Doll?” said Daisy.

I sauntered into the kitchen and sat down at the table. “Oh, he doesn’t call you that? I thought you called everyone ‘doll,’ Griffin.”

He coughed. His face was red. “The eggs are probably burning.”

Daisy sat down at the table next to me. “I’ve heard him say it to ladies at the grocery store, I think.” She smiled at his back. “But we don’t have pet names for each other. We think it’s tacky.”

Tacky, huh? I really hated this chick. A lot. I plastered a fake smile on my face. “So, how long have you and Griffin been together?”

“About six weeks,” she said.

“Where’d you meet?”

Griffin took the skillet off the stove. “Maybe we shouldn’t go into all that.” He came over to the table and began scraping the eggs onto our plates. “Leigh’s only asking to be nice.”

“Oh, no,” I said. “I’m very interested.”

“I was on a Campus for Christ walk, and I witnessed to Griffin,” she said.

Oh, that was priceless. “Really?” I turned to him. “Did Daisy bring you to the Lord?” I was having a hard time not snickering.

Griffin rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Leigh, let’s drop the whole thing.”

“Don’t you believe in God?” said Daisy, looking at me.

I shrugged. “Sure. I guess.” I could not believe that Griffin was dating an evangelist.

“Because, you know,” she said, “if you accept Jesus as your personal savior, then he would help you with your drug problems. You wouldn’t be fighting alone.”

I took a bite of the scrambled eggs Griffin had made. They were delicious. “I’ve been to NA. I know all about relinquishing your problem to a higher power. I think believing in God is great for that kind of stuff.”

“Stuff?” Daisy looked very worried, as if she was pretty sure she was going to be offended at any second.

I raised my hands. “I’m not trying to cause any conflict here.”

“Maybe we can change the subject,” said Griffin.

“Griffin, you said that you only wanted a chance to try to share the love of Christ with her again,” said Daisy.

“You said what?” I said.

He moved his eggs around on his plate. “You know, I think it was more like you said that, Daisy, and I agreed with you.”

She shrugged. “Same difference.”

“So, you want to ‘save’ me?” I said. “Is that it?”

She nudged him. “Go ahead. Talk to her. Let the Holy Spirit work through you.”

I couldn’t help it. I busted out laughing. “Are you serious?”

Griffin smiled tightly at Daisy. “How about we let it go, okay? I don’t think this is the right time.”