Page 19 of Billionaire Daddies Next Door

“You hate it here? Hello? Have you not been listening to me? I haven’t slept with anyone in months and when I did, it was with a guy named Johnny who didn’t believe the clit is a real thing. He literally told me it was a made-up thing to make men feel inferior.” Billie pouted. “He thought of clits as a conspiracy theory, guys. Feel sorry for me.”

“Later! First, I need to hear how the hell all this happened so fast.” Violet shook her head. “Details, woman.”

I groaned and leaned forward to press my forehead to my knees. My boobs ached from being squished, but my brain hurt more from the decisions I’d made. “I don’t know what to say! I just… One second, I was basically a born-again virgin and the next I’m getting screwed over my desk by a man who makes me want to take up playing the bagpipes! And Chase… We were fighting and then we weren’t! Their friend Smith has a really cute dog, too. I think I’m sick or something. Is this menopause? How am I so horny out of the blue?”

Justin stood up and shuddered. “Well, this was more than I needed to hear. Guys? Should we join Forrest in the kitchen?”

Ben rushed to leave the room, but Mason didn’t budge. He smirked at me and shrugged. “I’m comfortable in my manhood. A little menopause talk isn’t going to scare me off. I’m into the gossip, J.”

Violet slapped his leg. “Go.”

He frowned but did as she said. I didn’t bother telling her he was lingering just outside of the living room. If my mistakes gave him some entertainment, that was fine by me.

“Okay. First of all, you’re at least two decades from menopause, Joanie. Second of all, what kind of dog?” Violet glanced at the floor in front of her where their two dogs were sleeping. “We could do a puppy play date.”

Billie growled. “No. I refuse to be shut out because I don’t have a sexy fuck buddy with a dog. No playdates.”

I nodded. “I agree. No playdates.”

“I disagree. Lots of playdates.” Violet studied me. “Are you planning on joining me in having multiple boyfriends?”

I hurt my neck from shaking my head so hard. Holding it, I grimaced. “Don’t do that to me, Violet. No way in hell am I planning on having multiple boyfriends. Not with these men anyway.”

Billie sensed my hesitation and grew serious. “What’s wrong?”

I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I feel guilty.”

“About sleeping around?” Violet gestured to herself. “You were my biggest supporter when I was sleeping with three different men, J.”

“No…” I stood up and paced away from them. When I turned back, nothing about my feelings had changed, though. “I feel guilty for sleeping with the Viking. He’s Chase’s friend. I don’t owe Chase anything. I know that. I told him that it was a one-night thing. We’re not dating or anything like that. The two of us would end up on Snapped so fast if we tried to date. I think I just feel some bizarre sense of loyalty to him because we’ve been fighting for a year now.”

Billie raised her eyebrows. “And now you’re fighting with someone else and it feels like cheating?”

I groaned. “I guess. I don’t know. It’s stupid.”

“Talk to Chase.” Violet laughed at the look of horror on my face. “I’m serious, Joanie. If I’ve learned anything from being with my three idiots, it’s that communication is everything. Talk to him and see if you sleeping with his friend upset him.”

Just the idea made me feel like throwing up. “Nope. I’m not doing that.”

“Why not?” Billie grabbed my hand and pulled me back down to the couch. “You’re never one for backing away from things. I’ve watched you leave grown men stuttering to apologize before. You’re a badass, Joanie.”

“It’s feelings!” I buried my face in my hands. “I hate talking about feelings. The idea of talking to Chase about my feelings makes me want to pull my hair out one strand at a time.”

Violet laughed. “I distinctly remember you telling me that I needed to talk to the guys when I was avoiding them. Take your own advice and talk to Chase. Then call me and tell me everything.”

I rubbed my temples and looked between the two of them. “Maybe I should take a vacation. If I didn’t think Chase would have the diner franchised by the time I got back, I think I would.”

Mason cleared his throat as he stepped back into the room. “Now can we hear all about how you ended up on a table in the diner?”

I groaned. “Don’t say it like that.”

Violet growled. “I’m sick of missing everything. Someone better start talking.”

CHAPTER 15

Joanie

Chase showed up at my front door before I got up the nerve to call him. It was already dark out and I’d showered and changed into my pajamas so when I opened the door, I felt bare in just my tank top and silky shorts. I was surprised to see him standing there and my surprise stole whatever manners I might’ve displayed. I just stood there in the doorway, staring at him.

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