Queen of Diamonds

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Most of the car ride consisted of Nicki bickering with Ruby, Kara trying to play peacemaker, Talan singing "12 Days of Christmas" and sounding his horn after every verse, Derek being a Scrooge telling him to shut up just furthering their distaste for each other, and Sarah sharing snacks with Monty in the front seat. None of which they shared, might I add. Needless to say, I was very ready to exit this traveling circus.

After the 7th sound of the horn I couldn't take it anymore. "Would you knock it off?" I roared, snatching the horn away from Talan.

"Hey! Give it back!" he whined, trying to pry it from my fingers.

"No way," I defiantly replied. "You're going to make my ears bleed and stain my fur coat. Or I'm going to go deaf and then I wont be able to hear your screams when I murder you, which will also stain my coat."

"Jeeze Avs, the whole murder thing is just a party theme not an indoctrination on how to get away with murder," he informed me, crossing his arms over his chest like a bratty child.

"But if you keep this up," I gestured toward the trumpet, "It's going to become more than just a fun party theme and I will have to channel my inner Marylyn Mason. Got it?"

"Fine," he surrendered.

"And why did you have to give Derek such a hard time earlier?" I added lowering my voice for only Talan to hear.

"Oh stop," he immediately dismissed me. "Just a little freshman hazing, he can take it," he justified himself. "And if he can't then maybe you shouldn't be with such a little bitch."

"He is not a little bitch," I replied in a harsh whisper. "And I'm not with him," I added.

"Oh, right. You're with King tonight, I forgot," he rolled his eyes.

"Would you grow up," I scolded. "I'm not with him either."

"I just want us to have fun tonight as a group that's all," Talan said, now more heartfelt. "All these guys are users and losers. Stick with your friends and we'll have the best time."

"And what, you're the "friends"?" I guessed, flicking him in the wing.

"Duh," he grinned. "The best one," he said matter a factly, pulling me into an armpit cuddle. "Plus, it's just fun getting a rise out of people sometimes," he shrugged. "It's all in good fun."

"Yeah, yeah," I appeased him. "Just keep it that way."

"Aye, Aye, my Queen," he saluted me.

Then the Escalade turned down the notorious main street around Emerald Pines Lake. The landing pad that led to all of the richie mansions that surrounded it.

"Alright, fam, we're almost there!" Sarah announced to our eclectic group. "When we arrive, I want us to be a united front. This is an all richies event and we need to set an example," she declared, as if reciting a speech she had prepared.

"What's with the motivational pep talk?" I leaned forward in my seat to Sarah the Great.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "There was a Bring it On marathon on the other day and I guess its inspired my team spirit."

"Go team!" I cheered in support.

Chauffer Monty twist and turned down the hilly streets getting closer and closer to the lake. I remember Andrew pointing out his dad's house to me on the lake that day we ran into each other at the beach. Based on his vague finger pointing, I think the house was right on the water. Sure enough, Monty pulled down a private street that had only one house on the block. This has to be the King's Palace.