Page 68 of Wrath

“What ya doin’ here?” I try not to sound too defensive, but he’s caught me by surprise.

“The fuckin’ game’s on.” He looks at me strangely as he places a six-pack on the coffee table in front of me. “Dude, have ya been fuckin’ cryin’?” He frowns when he notices the emotion in my eyes.

“Have I fuck!” I look back up at him as if he’s crazy.

“I was gonna say…You didn't even tear up when ya took that Reaper bullet for me.” He pops the lid off one of the beers and passes it over, before grabbing one for himself.

“Alicia’s pregnant.” I bring him up to speed since he wasn’t at the club when she made her announcement, and he reacts by spraying the beer he just knocked back, outta his mouth.

“She’s fuckin’what?”

“She’s pregnant, and it’s Griller’s.” I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Holy fuckin’ shit, bro. She keepin’ it?”

“Looks that way.” I smile to myself. Yeah, it’s gonna be a tough road, but there ain't no way she’s walkin’ it alone.

“Guess it’s a good thing for Griller that he’s already dead, huh?” Vike raises his eyebrows. “Is that why she visited your folks, so she could tell ‘em?” Vike knows as well as I do that neither of us go home often. Being my best friend means he knows the reason why too.

“I guess.” I shrug my shoulders, hating the fact that I’m lying to my best friend. There's not a single thing I’ve kept from him in the whole time I’ve known him.

“Bet your old man took that well. I’m surprised he let her come back.”

“They know she’s better off with me, even if she did get pregnant on my watch.” I give him a look of warning, because there is no way I’m going back there, that shit gets me far too angry.

“You wanna forget real-life shit and just watch the game?” Vike asks.

“Like you wouldn’t fuckin’ believe.” I clang the neck of my bottle against his and focus on the big screen.

Ihear the knock at my door and smile to myself as I stumble my way over to open it. I didn’t plan on getting drunk tonight, I guess the pressure of Laura showing up, and the fact I’m the reason she’s fallen out with her whole family, got to me. I just wanted not to care for a little while.

I swing it open and when I see Aaron standing on the other side of it I quickly drag him inside before Laura can see him.

“I’m drunk,” I inform him as I grab his face between my hands and kiss him.

“I know, I came up to make sure you got to bed okay.” He laughs as he tries to pull back my covers while my lips remain stuck to his face.

“I’m sorry for not telling Laura about us.” I lift up my arms and let him help me out of my dress and when he takes off his shirt and slides it over my head, I reach out and stroke his abs with my fingers.

“I know that, too.” He kisses my forehead, then tries to maneuver my other arm through the sleeve.

“I feel bad, really bad.”

“Like you're gonna hurl?’ he checks, holding me steady by my shoulders and looking concerned.

“No,” I laugh, making a sloppy attempt at a slap against his shoulder with my hand. “I mean about Laura. She was defending me.”

“Well, that’s what friends do.” He scoops me up and places me on the bed and I have to close one eye so I can focus as he unbuckles his belt and slides his jeans down his legs.

“You're staying?” I feel the smile rise on my lips and scoot over when he starts getting in beside me.

“Of course, I’m stayin’ because that's whatboyfriendsdo.” He kisses the top of my head and wraps his big, strong arm around my middle while I close my eyes and laugh.

“I like how that sounds.” My voice sounds all dreamy and content, which is exactly how it feels as I drift off to sleep.

“Am I alive?” I massage my temples before I attempt to open my eyes. My head is pounding and my mouth is so dry it feels as if it’s growing fur.

“Yeah, darlin’ you're still livin’.” I hear Aaron’s voice and when I open my eyes, I see him lying beside me with both hands resting behind his head.

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