TIED (A Fire Born Novel) by Laney McMann Page A

“It was the right thing to do. He’s okay with it.” That ended up being true. Sort of.
    My mother’s mouth tightened into a straight line. “Teine,” she said, her voice trembling. “I told you before, you are forbidden to see Max!” She glared over toward Benny and back at me. “If this was a decision based on … feelings … you believe you have for him—”
    “Mom!” I yelled to override her escalating hysteria. “I will see whoever I want to see.” I stomped toward the stairs but stopped. “And I don’t know what you’re hiding from me, but I’m going to find out.”
    Red splotches rose across her cheeks. “We will discuss this later.” Her tone was controlled, jaw tightly clenched.
    “Okay.” Benny clapped her hands together and steered me up the staircase. “Let’s get changed, Lay. We’re going out.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Is that all right, Ms. LaBelle?”
    “Out? I’m not up to going out.” I pushed back against her.
    “At least get in the shower. It’ll be good for you.”
    My mother stood in the kitchen doorway, scowling. “ Only Benny. Do you understand?”
    I nodded, refusing to look at her.
    Benny laughed. “Shower time.”
    “Benny … No.” I planted my feet.
    “Go!” She pointed toward the stairs, an evil grin on her pretty, round face.
    “Fine.” I snapped at her. There was no use arguing. She’d pester me all night long.
    • • •
    I begrudgingly climbed into Benny’s car after getting dressed, shaking my head as we drove. I didn’t even ask where we were going.
    As she pulled up to the club we hadn’t been to in ages, I said, “Aw, Benny … dancing? You’re taking me out dancing?” I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do less.
    “Oh, stop, it’ll be fun. You need to burn off some fuel.”
    “Fuel? What fuel? I’ve been burning that candle-thing at both ends for months. There’s no fuel left!”
    “We’re going inside, and you’re going to have a good time. Period.” She parked the car.
    I stuck my tongue out at her.
    “That’s attractive.”
    She got out, and waited, tapping her black high-heeled shoe against the pavement. I realized she was clad in a black mini dress, a small golden sweater with tiny sleeves over it.
    “You planned this,” I said. “I didn’t even notice you were dressed up.”
    She shrugged. “You were upset. Anyway, it’ll be fun. When’s the last time we had a girl’s night?”
    I sighed and lumbered unwillingly into the all-ages club. It was thick with the smell of sweet liquid fog. Purple lights cast eerie trails up and down the walls, and blinding strobe lights flashed random patterns on the black dance floor. Colored glass bottles decorated shelves behind the massive wooden bar to the left of the room. Ugh. It was the same as I remembered. I’d hated the place since the first time I’d come. The smell, the people—all of it.
    I groaned, slumped my shoulders, and pushed across the crowded dance floor beside Benny.
    “I don’t want anything, don’t order for me,” I said, standing next to her at the bar.
    She started a conversation with Sam, who was making drinks. No wonder we came here. He nodded in my direction, in his usual enigmatic way.
    “Hey,” I said, with no enthusiasm.
    “Where’s your new friend?” Sarcasm laced his words.
    I rolled my eyes, steering my gaze away from him, not in the mood for his goading comments. “He’s around.”
    I flopped down at the only open table, counting the minutes I would have to endure until we left, feeling the bass of the music pounding through my chest. Benny tried to drag me out to dance, but I’d glued myself into my chair.
    “Let’s go,” I complained for the fifth time as she danced by me. “This place sucks.”
    “Dance! That’s why we’re here.”
    “I dance everyday!” I had to yell to even hear myself.
    Benny ignored me.
    “I’m going home!”
    That stopped her. “Okay, okay, I’ll take you.”
    “Good.” I stomped