Free Defective (The Institute Series Book 3) by Kayla Howarth Page A

just friends hanging out. It’s a chance to get to know the new guy, and a chance for you to have normal twenty-year-old experiences as opposed to thirty-year-old political ones.”
    “I don’t want to be ditched with Jayce’s brother while you two… you know.”
    She rolls her eyes, offended that I’d think she’d do something like that – even though she’s done similar plenty of times. “I promise. Just dinner and drinks, and I’ll even come home with you and stay the night – girls’ night. Paxton’s still away, yeah?”
    “Yeah, but Nuka and her nanny are home, so we’ll have to be quiet.”
    “Deal. So you’ll come?” she asks, hopefulness filling her eyes.
    “Ugh, I guess.”
    She briefly hugs me before rushing back out to Jayce to work out the details. Why did I just say yes?
     
     
    ***
     
     
    I told Ebb I’ll meet her, but she arrives on my doorstep anyway, pursing her lips as she eyes me up and down. I’m wearing jeans and a hooded jacket, my hair pulled back in a plain pony tail.
    “I knew you were going to need my help,” she says entering the apartment. She’s carrying six or seven coat hangers full of clothes, and she makes her way into my room, throwing them on the bed. “Okay. Here are your options.”
    “You didn’t say anything about dressing up.”
    “This isn’t dressing up, it’s looking nice. There’s a difference.”
    “I don’t look nice?” I ask, only mildly offended.
    “No. Are you even wearing makeup?”
    “Yes, but I wanted it to be subtle, not like I was going to a benefit or political appearance.”
    “Go finish your face, I’ll pick your outfit.”
    I don’t bother arguing – it’s Ebb, there’s no point – and after I’ve done what I’m told, I come back out of the bathroom to find a short black dress with tiny floral print all over it.
    “No.” I flat out refuse. “It’s too short, and it doesn’t cover my arm.”
    Ebb slumps her head to the side. “You can pick leggings or your elbow length denim jacket to go with it.”
    “Both,” I say defiantly.
    “No. You have to pick only one.”
    “Fine. Jacket.”
    As I walk past her, she quickly turns and pulls my hair tie out, letting my hair fall past my shoulders.
    “Perfect,” she says.
    After getting dressed, we start walking down the street towards some restaurant I’ve never been to, me complaining about the shortness of my dress the whole way. I should’ve fought harder to get the leggings.
    “My dress is even shorter so you can’t complain!” Ebb says. She’s right, too. Where my dress is flowing and loose fitting – but short – hers is figure hugging, and a lot shorter than mine. But she’s always showing off her skin. She has no reservations of showing off her mark, her legs, her boobs. I do.
    We arrive at the restaurant to find the guys already seated in a booth up against the window. Jayce stands when he sees us and moves over to the other side so he’s sitting with his brother. I’m grateful for the move. I didn’t want to be stuck next to Jayce’s brother.
    “Hi,” Ebb sing-songs as she sits, sliding into the booth across from the brother. I’m surprised by her move considering she’s here to hit on Jayce.
    “Hey,” I say casually, sitting down, looking at Jayce.
    He smiles and nods hello to me. “This is Jamie,” he says gesturing to his brother. “This is Ebb, and Allira.”
    Jamie reaches across the table and shakes my hand, then Ebb’s. I notice he has the same intense blue eyes as Jayce, but his hair is a darker blond, almost light brown, and he’s a lot shorter than Jayce, but looks older by a couple of years.
    “So where’s Paxton tonight?” Jayce asks me. The question throws me a bit. I don’t know why he’s asking it. He hasn’t brought Paxton up since he first found out about him. I’m worried he’s trying to catch me out in my lie after overhearing Ebb and me earlier this morning.
    “He’s out campaigning. Has been for the last few