Page 267 of Deceit

“Only if you want.”

“The kids are gonna need a break from your man. I’m doing them more of a favor than I am you.”

I lean back, shaking my head at the reality of how we’re actuallyhere. Marty and Stormi are playing a game of horseshoes with Bishop and Hardy. Mills is talking to Scarlett while he BBQs dinner.

He didn’t start the conversation, Scarlett did, but Bishop is going to give him hell probably because he’s already eyeballing them with disgusted interest.

“Can you believe this?” I ask. “Me with twins. Bishop a father? I never thought I’d be a parent.”

“Why, you’re one to the boys. And it’s the best thing that’s happened to Bishop,” Ky replies. “This is what he was always meant to do. His dad was a really good man.”

“You remember him?”

“Only a little. He used to give us money for the ghetto ass ice cream truck or to run up to the party store for snacks. He was the coolest guy in the trailer park. Always willing to lend a helping hand. Took out people’s garage bins and shoveled sidewalks.”

“What was his name?”

“Jett. Bishop is a lot like him when he’s not being a douchebag. He has a soft spot for idiots and a faithful heart for the ones he loves.”

“Then he better leave Mills alone. He’s speaking to his sister.”

Kyson doesn’t falter a bit. “Eh, Mills wouldn’t date her.”

“Why not?”

“Bro code.”

My eyes narrow. “Seriously? That’s really a thing?”

“Hell yeah, it’s athing. Besides, it’s respect. Mills knows he’d hate it.”

“But they’re cute together.”

“Emmy,” Kyson warns. “Don’t be—“

“I’m not, I swear.” I hold up a defensive hand. “I just…don’t want Mills to miss out because of some silly ass guy thing.”

“It’s not silly, it’s code.”

“You said that,” I mutter. “Dumb.”

“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Blue plops down next to me, smelling of watermelon and citrus, and flicks her hair to the side. “I lost track of time.” She leans over Alaric’s head. “Hey, little man, what’s up?”

It’s amazing how I could loathe her so much, and she still loves my children. That she stillwantsto come around to be with them after I shunned her over a zillion times since we’ve known each other and always pulled out my petty ass bitch.

“Blue tell Ems about bro code,” Kyson digresses.

“What about it?” She lightly touches Alaric’s nose and opens her mouth in a goofy smile. “You’re gonna be such a heartbreaker. Don’t bring any of those hoes around.”

My eyes widen. That’sexactlywhat I thinkallthe time.

“That it’s really a thing,” Kyson quips, only further placing Blue in with one of the guys. I wonder if it bothers her. Her and I treated so differently here at B723. I know we’d all do for her what they did for me—even me—but sometimes it’s nice not to be handled so harshly like the guys do to each other. “When men don’t—“

“You mean boys,” she retorts through her nose. “And it’s bullshit. What are you in a fraternity?”

Kyson releases a heavy sigh. “Nevermind.”

“Why are you guys even talking about boy code anyway?”

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