Page 50 of Fighting the Forbidden

I stare her dead in the eyes. “He offered to come on my tits if I didn’t ‘feel like swallowing.’”

That truth bomb lands with a sizzle. Hayden sits there, speechless.

“Yeah, okay,” she says after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence. “That’s a bit much.” Her nose wrinkles. “Eww.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, what do you want me to do?” she whines. “I really like Wade.”

“Nothing.” I hold my hands in the air. “I’m putting you on notice—don’t expect us to all double-date. Wade’s brother is a walking red flag, and I don’t want to be alone with him again.”

“Okay, okay. Sheesh. Calm down.” She blows out a breath.

Her dismissive attitude stings. But at least it’s cured the guilt I felt about leaving her party early.

“Forget about him.” She continues. “I only wanted you two to hook up so Griff would find out another older guy was interested in you. Then, he’d come to his senses.”

I’m sure in her head that makes sense. But that’s not the kind of relationship I want with Griff—one based on childish jealousy. “Sure,” I mumble, just to move on from this topic. I wish I’d never said a word.

Kyla slams her tray down on the table next to Hayden. “I’m so done.” She throws herself into a chair. “I can’t wait to jet outta here for good.”

Same, girl, same.

Darcy pulls out the chair next to me, making a less dramatic entrance. She sits and greets me with a quick elbow bump. I flash a faint smile at her.

I shoot a warning look at Hayden, but I shouldn’t have bothered—she’s rehashing the party with Kyla, my run-in with Wesley forgotten.

The cafeteria noises fade into the background. I’m so over this. I’m tired of feeling like I don’t fit in anywhere—not even with the people who are supposed to be my friends.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Griff

Spending my day at the gym has become critical to my survival. I’ve always put myself through punishing workout sessions, but this is a whole new level. Other than jerking myself raw, there’s no way to release the pent-up, explosive energy generated from all the time alone I’ve shared with Molly lately.

I squeeze my eyes shut as I push through one last rep. Picturing my Molly’s pink cheeks sends another bolt of lust through me. This isn’t going to cut it. My gaze bounces around the gym. Elliptical? Treadmill? Can I outrun this need?

“Focus,” Remy barks from above me, guiding the bar back into the rack.

“I’m focused,” I pant, wiping the back of my hand over my forehead. Focused on defiling your sister as soon as she gives me the green light.

Guilt forces my attention elsewhere.

“Looking good today, boys.” Aubrey approaches us with a smile on her pixie face and a hand on her hip. What she lacks in height, she makes up for with her sweet personality.

Remy’s mouth pulls into a suggestive smile. “When you gonna leave Sully and run away with me, short stack?”

Immune to his player bullshit, Aubrey rolls her eyes. “Never. But by all means, ask that again when he gets here.”

Not deterred one bit, Remy smiles wider. “I’m just messing with you.”

Ignoring him, she focuses on me—the one who doesn’t harass her every time we work out at her fiancé’s gym. For free. “How are you making out, Griff?”

With Molly, every chance I get.

I cough into my fist. “All right. How’s business?”

“Finally picking back up.” She sweeps her gaze over us again. “In fact, if you’re down for it, I’d like to film one of your workouts for our YouTube channel again.” She gives Remy a sly smile. “You’re two of our most popular models.”

---