Second Nature Read Online Free PDF Page A

is my fault.”
    “Is it wrong that I don't
even know him, and yet I want to smash him in the face with a wine bottle?”
Rita asked with absolutely no humor in her tone.
    “No. Everyone hates him.”
Sierra shook her head, evidently missing the necessary humor one needs when
discussing smashing bottles into faces. “There’s a reason Sage’s mom and my dad
are butt buddies.”
    “I feel like we don't
need butt buddies as a descriptive on this.” I wrinkled my nose.
    “If I could get away with
one thing on this planet, Tom would be my choice.” Lindsey scoffed. Sage smiled
weakly, not adding anything. I hoped it was because of the butt buddy comment
and not because of Vincent.
    “Mine too,” Sierra added.
“But I want our parents to be free to be together. I think they’d be happy
together. I know my mom’s happy with my uncle. She hardly even comes home now.”
    Sage’s smile faded. She
obviously didn't feel the same way. Or the whole thing still made her
uncomfortable. Sierra had known about the affair a lot longer. She’d been able
to digest it, whereas Sage was still fresh in her hurt.
    “Wanna go get a coffee?”
Lindsey asked as she sent a text, likely to Vincent. He was avoiding our circle
at Lindsey’s request, which meant all the guys were with him and not us. It was
weird.
    But Lindsey didn't want
to rub it in Sage’s face that they were dating. She didn't even let us call
Vincent her boyfriend or say dating. He was just Vincent and they were hanging
out.
    Sage wrinkled her nose,
but Rita saved her the awkward lie of avoiding Vince and Lindsey. “Me and Sage
can’t. We have to meet our moms.” She glanced at her phone. “In eleven
minutes.”
    “I have shit to do too
and coffee this late makes me tired, super counterproductive,” Sierra muttered
as her eyes darted down the hall, following one of the seniors ; Jenson. He glanced back as he rounded a corner. Mischief
was dripping from his sly grin. She lifted a hand. “Text later, bitches.”
    Sage followed Sierra’s
sashaying backside with her gaze. “I hate how she has sex at school. It’s
uncivilized.”
    “And it could be on any
one of our desks,” I added, not impressed either.
    Sage’s nose wrinkled.
“Gross.” It was quickly swept away by the pleasant smile she always wore in
public. “See you girls later.” She leaned in for a kiss and a hug.
    Rita smiled wide. “Don't
forget that I’m having people over tonight—it’s a welcome-back-to-school
party combined with welcoming me to town.” She blew a kiss and backed up. “My
place tonight at 8:00.”
    “If you want to come
early, you can help set up.” Sage pointed. “But don't be late.” They linked
arms and strutted off, skirts swaying and boots clicking down the hallway.
    “Why do I feel like
Rachel didn't die but somehow transformed herself into the body of a marginally
prettier girl?” Lindsey whispered.
    “Because that totally
happened.”
    “Yeah, it did. Rita and
Sage are way too much like Rachel and Sage.” Lindsey shook her head. “You want
coffee, right?”
    “Always.” We turned and
walked out of the school, heading for our cars. “Is Vince meeting us?”
    “No, he has something to
do for his dad.”
    “What?”
    “I don't know.” She lied in
her high-pitched “lying” voice and walked to her car. “Meet me at the Shack.”
She waved and climbed in before I could complain about the venue. She knew none
of us liked the little hipster crack Shack.
    Immediately, my brain
pondered her lying about where Vincent was. She rarely lied to me.
    The drive down the beach
in bright Crimson Cove was stunning, especially in the fall. The leaves were
just starting to turn, making the area more vibrant than it was normally. It
was my favorite season.
    When I pulled up to the
Shack coffeehouse, I cringed at the hipsters sitting out front, taking selfies
with the ocean view and deep-red leaves. They were all wearing browns, tans,
and blues, blending in with