Page 131 of Falling in Reverse

“Really?” He swings the baseball bat over his wide shoulder, flexing those damn black tattoos that ripple along his tan skin. “I could give you a list.”

“I think it might make me puke.”

That’s a whole damn lie.

Though, I don’t want to know what girls he’s slept with. I have a feeling my jealousy will ramp up and I’ll beat the crap out of one of them.

“You got a secret boyfriend I don’t know about?”

I scoff. “No.”

“Then talk.”

I hate this.

I really do. I’m literally, straight-faced lying to my best friend right now, and if he ever finds out, I don’t believe he’s ever going to forgive me.

But it’s his fault that I don’t trust his actions with the knowledge and reality of my situation. That he might make us pack up and move while he deals with the boys himself.

It’s not that I don’t believe he could do it.

I just don’t want him seriously hurt in the process.

“I’ve been overwhelmed,” I reply still meeting his hazel gaze. “I have Hot Rod up my ass. I have Juice harassing me about playing cards and throwing bets on it. I have Mae wanting every ounce of my attention when she gets home from school and Ellie has been a wreck about this Peter kid. Dad is dad and you haven’t been around.” I lift my shoulders dismissively. “I just wanted to be alone. So I took Dad’s car and drove. In South Shore, of course.”

“Are you fucking serious?” I’m not sure if that’s a real question or if it’s commuting in his head that could be the reason.

So I don’t answer it.

“Fuck…” He extends an arm out for me to arrive at his side and I mindlessly appease his offer. Levi immediately wraps his arm around me and props his chin on top of my head. “I’m sorry.”

You, Bay Astor, are such an asshole.

“It’s okay,” I convey, squeezing him tight. His scent calms down my anxiety as his warmth seeps into my veins. “I know you’ve been busy. I didn’t want to bother you.”

“I’m never too busy for you, Astor. You should’ve called.”

I wish I could’ve. Having another head in this would be better than just mine.

“I’ll do that next time,” I reply. “I didn’t want Juice riding with me and ruining my music.”

Levi chuckles. “That’s relatable.” He pulls me in tighter. “You wanna have a lunch-car date tomorrow? I gotta work on an old Buick tomorrow.”

“Sure. That’d be nice.”

“Okay.” He kisses the top of my head and slowly begins to release me. “I’m ordering a pizza. I’m starving.”

And then he strides into the kitchen for probably another beer, and I’ve gotten out of this once again, but how many more times am I going to get lucky?

I have a feeling it’s going to run out, and soon.

THIRTY-FOUR

bay

Wharf Bay is the only place I can find certain parts for the Nova and it’s not the best place to be in when Cairo Black threatens you to stay out of his shithole.

It’s not totally awful; however, the town could use some love in the looks department. Graffiti is scattered along the brick walls of apartments and abandoned buildings as I stride down the sidewalk to where my car is parked a few blocks away. But, honestly, it gives the city character.

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