Page 75 of Such A Bad Girl

But I had no idea what to do about it.

I led the girls to the living room and started pouring us cocktails. The sun was setting on the horizon, throwing pink and purple rays of light into my pool. Another picture-perfect southern California sunset.

I’d hoped to be ending this intense day with Theo. Instead, I sat on the edge of the pool sipping margaritas with Kaylee and Violet. I loved them, of course. I was so grateful for their friendship. But I could still feel Theo’s hands sliding over my skin, and it was the only thing I could focus on.

“So, you really have no idea who this woman was?” Violet asked. “She didn’t tell you her name and you couldn’t see her? This is crazy.”

I shook my head, in no mood for an interrogation. But understanding that Violet was just confused.

“And she knew about something from your past?”

I shot a quick glance over at Kaylee.

Kaylee shrugged sheepishly. “We told her. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” Violet cried out. “Why? I’m her best friend!”

“It’s fine,” I said, reaching over and grabbing Violet’s hand. “Yes, you’re my best friend. I should have told you years ago. I’m glad you know now.”

She sighed and sat back in her seat. “Damn right you should have told me years ago. It’s not okay that you had to carry that weight all alone for all that time.”

“Well,” I drawled. “I wasn’t exactly alone.”

“Right. Theo. You and Theo kept your secret.”

“It was ours together.”

“That’s heavy, Ev,” Violet said. “Explains a lot.”

“What do you mean?”

She shook her head, choosing her words slowly. “You and Theo have always had this tension between you two. Honestly, it was hard to be around sometimes.”

“Was it that obvious?”

“Yes,” Kaylee piped up. “Today was obvious, too. For the record. Y’all must have had some night.” She gave me a careful look, raising a brow.

“Shit,” I muttered, shaking my head. “I know, I know…” I sighed, leaning heavily back in my chair. “West is probably murdering him right now.”

“How do you feel?” Kaylee asked. “About Theo? What’s going with you two?”

I looked over at her, the words rushing out of my mouth like they were the most natural thing in the world to say. “I’m in love with him. I think I always have been.” I put my face in my hands and moaned. “I’m such an idiot. How could I have not known?”

“What happened last night?” Violet asked.

I looked up at her between my spread fingers. “What didn’t happen?” I asked.

She whistles, shaking her head. “Oh, girl, you do look like you just got fucked every which way but sideways.”

“I think we did it sideways, too.”

We collapsed in a fit of giggles and I sighed in relief. It felt good to talk about it.

“I shouldn’t be laughing. Theo is probably miserable right now. If West hasn’t murdered him yet.”

“Oh, honey,” Kaylee said. “West just takes his role seriously. He’s protective of everyone he loves, he can’t help it. He isn’t going to murder Theo.” Kaylee’s words were comforting.

“I hope you’re right,” I said. “Because now that I’ve got Theo, I’m not about to let him go. It took way too long to get here, and West needs to just deal with it and lay off.”

---