Page 43 of Repluse

“I thought you—” Frankie starts to say.

“No, stop! Stop assuming. Stop thinking for me, making decisions for me. I’m a big girl. I can make my own choices, and right now, I’d like you to stay.”

His eyes dart to Sam, then back to me. I miss whatever it is that passes between them, but he nods anyway.

“Okay. I’ll stay. Tha?—”

“Don’t dare say thank you. If you do, I’ll kick you in the nuts and send you away.”

I swear Ihearthe rise of their eyebrows.

“I want bossy, frowny, scowly, moody Frankie back. So, stop being a sook and stay.”

The door bleeps as Sam unlocks it. Without looking back, I follow him in, head straight to the bedroom I was in with Sam earlier, and through to the ensuite.

There’s a huge, round, sunken tub with my name on it in the corner. I flip the lever that activates the plug and turn on the taps. When I head back out to the bedroom, both boys are standing in the doorway, and it hits me how the dynamics have changed between us today. Right now, it’s them looking unsure and uncertain of what to do, so I decide that must mean they’re waiting for me to take charge.

“I’m gonna have a bath. You’re both welcome to join me if you want.”

“Only if you promise not to laugh,” Frankie says.

Sam and I, both wearing frowns, look at him.

“Laugh?” I question.

“At my lack of nuts. They’ve gone into hiding since you threatened to kick them.”

“Yeah, they’re hiding somewhere inside your vagina,” Sam quips.

“Fuck you. She’s fucking scary when she’s pissed off.”

“I’m aware. I’ve been hard all day watching her rip the shit out of you. All the years I’ve known you and I’ve never seen you so fucking humbled.”

Frankie rakes his hand through his hair and lets out a long breath.

“What the fuck is it about the little witch that has me standing there and taking it?”

“Let me know when you work it out because she’s got me so tied up in knots, I can’t fucking see straight.”

“Hellooo!I’m right here.” I circle a finger at my own chest. “You.” I point at Sam. “Driving in the dark when you can’t see straight is dangerous. Get your shit together, come help me undress, then undress yourself. You!” I turn to Frankie. “I don’t need your balls for what I have planned, so shut up, get naked, and bring your ball-less dick to the bathroom.”

I turn my back on the pair of them and start to take Sam’s jacket of. He’s by my side in an instant, helping me. Next, he pulls my hoodie over my head. I kick off my Nikes and stand facing both of them in my trackies and a sports bra.

“Fucking hell, Mila,” Frankie says as he takes in my bruised body. “Did he kick you while you were down?”

“No, I think I hit the corner of the cupboard with my ribs before or after I hit it with my head. It all happened so quickly; I can’t even remember.”

“They’re gonna pay… in the worst possible way. I’m gonna make them both fucking pay.”

I nod as Sam pulls off my sports bra, and I pull down my trackies. I didn’t bother with undies this morning, as it’s so much easier when you only have one fully functioning hand. Sam steps back, leaving me to turn and head towards the bathroom.

“Just so you know,” Frankie calls out.

I turn back to look between them. Sam’s twisted towards me, still holding my bra,

Frankie’s in the process of pulling off his hoodie, and his tee comes with it. “Bruises, broken wrist, you’re still fucking gorgeous.”

I turn away, smiling, and I have to fight not to skip to the bathroom.

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