Free The Galilee Falls Trilogy (Book 3): Fall of Heroes by Jennifer Harlow Page A

you. My parents love you. Jem still—”
    I sit straight up. “V, Justin’s alive. He’s alive and well and Jem knew but didn’t tell me. So fuck off and let me have my nervous breakdown in peace.”
    This information does its job. It shuts her the hell up. Her jaw literally drops as she stares at me to gage if I’m lying or just crazy. My stony face must convince her because she says, “Jesus.”
    “Yep. So I realize I’m a fucking mess right now, I do, but I kind of think I’ve earned the right to a little alone time as I figure out how the fuck I’m going to continue in this filthy, disgusting, nightmare of a world and come to terms with the fact that the two people I almost died for think so little of me.”
    “I’m so sorry, Jo. I truly am. What they did…is shitty beyond words. But drinking yourself to death isn’t the solution.”
    “Then what is?” I snap. “Oh great, wise one, what the fuck am I supposed to do?”
    “What you’ve always done. You pick yourself up, and put one foot in front of the other because though it might take some time, eventually you’ll find yourself someplace else. Someplace better. And then you rub their noses in it. Living well is the best revenge, Jo. What you’re doing is drinking poison and hoping they’re the ones who die.”
    “You got that from a fortune cookie.”
    “Doesn’t make it any less true,” she counters. “So you’ve had your little pity party for one. Time to get up and join humanity again. And you can call the police, you can throw things at me, you can even call me names, but I’m not leaving. Because if the tables were turned, you wouldn’t leave me. So get your ass out of bed and get in the shower or I’ll call my brothers and parents and they’ll invade this place like Vikings for an impromptu intervention. Won’t that be fun?”
    Fuck. Fuck! She’ll do it too. Bitch. I do need a shower though. I also don’t have the energy or brain cells to fight. I throw the pillow at her. “I hate you.”
    “I can live with that. I know you’ll get over it. Now get up!”
    Rolling my eyes, which wasn’t wise with a headache, I pull my carcass out of bed and into the bathroom. I don’t dare glance at myself in the mirror. Made that mistake two days ago. The shower does help with the headache and the shampoo with the rest of it. In the back of my mind, I knew this was coming. The day I’d have to face the world again. A not-so-tiny part of me kind of hoped I wouldn’t wake up. Not exactly a death wish but more of a death acceptance. Maybe the hooch is the only factor keeping that acceptance crossing over into darker territory. Another reason not to stop. I just need to get V out of here. I’ll cut down—I’m tired of physically feeling like shit—but not go cold turkey. Or to meetings. Being a functional alcoholic worked for me in the past, it’ll be good enough for the future.
    Judging from the noises in the other room, I assume V’s cleaning. Better her than me. I slip on jeans, a white t-shirt, and braid my wet hair before joining her. Sensing I’m not up for talking, as we continue cleaning, V blabbers about her week in Jericho unearthing ties between the Andretti mob and our mayor. I’ve never been much of a housekeeper, but I let it get to a whole other level. Stains everywhere, food already molding, Jem would have a heart attack if he saw this. The man is anal and not in the fun way. If I left a sock on the floor he’d pitch a fit. That took some getting used to. Well, I hope he enjoys his spotless, empty, soulless apartment. I don’t—
    “Jo?” V asks, bringing me out of my head. “Did you hear me?”
    “No. Sorry. I spaced out.”
    She ties up the full trash bag. “I asked if you still had access to the Justice computer.”
    “Of course. Why?”
    “Because I think this story is bigger than I thought. The mayor, senators, even the governor may be involved.”
    “And you want me to do your job for you.” And the