Broderick was genuinely stunned, while Leslie had a smug grin on her face-like a cat that just snatched a fish.
"I'm outta here, Ricky. Catch you tonight."
She waved at him, smile wide and bright, her almond-shaped eyes crinkling like two crescent moons.
For a second, it felt like Broderick's heart skipped a beat.
He stiffened his jaw, turned around, and got in the car.
Connor stared after him, confused. Did Broderick just... smile? Nah, probably his imagination.
*****
It took Lydia two whole hours before the itching finally stopped.
She glared down at the red lines on her skin, teeth gritted.
"Mom, since things are already out in the open, why don't we just wreck Leslie's reputation for good?"
Turn her into a total pariah-everyone hating her guts.
The mo
