Page 10 of Dirty Secrets

“Zav, would you—” I was about to ask him to, but we were interrupted as Cruz dropped into the seat beside mine, Drake sitting beside Zavier.

“This is cute. You guys on a date?” Drake teased, giving me a wink to let me know he was joking. Zavier scowled, giving him a shove.

“You know I wouldn’t touch Raven like that, asshole.”

I fought not to flinch, my question about him taking my virginity vanishing. Of course he didn’t want to sleep with me, why had I even thought he would?

Our food was delivered, and I picked at mine while the guys talked about random shit. Zavier kept glancing at me with a questioning look at my shift in mood, but I ignored him, feeling stupid for even thinking I could compare to the other girls he’d slept with.

I doubted he wanted the hassle of guiding someone in bed.

I took the time to check my phone, finding multiple messages from the guys.

Reid: She’s gone, just so you know.

Reid: Seriously, Raven? Are you really pissed? I don’t want to fight with you. I said I was sorry.

Logan: I’m sorry for traumatizing you with my sex skills. Can you come home? I don’t like you being mad at me.

Logan: Rae, please? It won’t happen again.

Logan: Where’d you guys go, anyway?

Cruz chuckled beside me, tilting his phone screen at me to show me a text as he spoke. “I take it you two are avoiding the house and that’s why you’re here?”

Logan: Hey, best buddy. You haven’t seen Zav or Rae on any of your fancy stalking monitors today, have you? They’re not answering my messages.

“They brought some skank home and woke me up last night, then I woke up to her screaming the house down again this morning. She’s gone now, apparently, but we’re letting them fret for a little while to think about their actions,” I said dryly, grateful when he replied that he hadn’t seen us before pocketing his phone again.

“It’s your house. Kick them out to fuck on the lawn or something,” he suggested, but I just shook my head.

“It’s not just my house. I wouldn’t have anything unless they’d been bringing money in and helping out. I don’t make money, Cruz. I steal what I can and rely on them for the rest.”

“Doesn’t mean they can act like animals and treat it like a bachelor pad. Bring a guy home, give them a taste of their own medicine,” he smirked. “We’ll help you find a nice boyfriend.”

“A nice boyfriend would get chased off and you know it. I need a mean one,” I snickered, my mood calming at the casual conversation. “How’s Penn? I’m surprised she’s not with you.”

I could never be besties with Penn, we wouldn’t mesh, but I still liked her.

“She’s good. She’s actually spending the day with Luna. They’re becoming really good friends, I think. Riley’s learned to stop scowling at her at least, so there’s that. I think all three of them are having breakfast at Harley’s Bar, then going shopping,” he said with a smile, and I raised an eyebrow.

“You know exactly where she is. I bet you’re tracking her. Why would she even want to go there for breakfast? Doesn’t she work there?”

“I’m not tracking her, but Stone has been ever since she left this morning. I’m surprised he even let her go, he’s been a little overbearing since he got out of the hospital. They went to Harley’s for breakfast because they’re waiting for Landon to finish work. He’s only working until nine today.”

I couldn’t really blame Stone for his paranoia. Penn had been kidnapped six months ago by someone she’d trusted, and Stone had almost died from multiple bullet wounds while saving her.

They were all still a little bit traumatized, but they were all alive, which was all that mattered.

“You’re not worried about Penn running off and falling in love with Landon?” I asked slyly, a snort of amusement leaving him.

“Landon Bates? Doubtful. I’m not insecure. Penn’s obsessed with me and I fuck her right. She’s not going anywhere,” he said confidently, his eyes widening a fraction. “Hey, why don’tyoudate Landon? Pretty sure he’s a virgin, so it would even the playing field in the bedroom. You can both be awkward together.”

I scrunched my nose, not liking that idea in the slightest. I’d met Landon once or twice, he was sweet, but he didn’t make my heart beat faster like when Zavier held my hand, or when Reid or Logan did simple things like say good night to me.

I wanted that raw passion that I saw other people having.

“You think she’d be a good match with Landon fucking Bates?” Zavier scoffed, shaking his head slightly. “He’s too quiet and boring for her. She needs someone who’s more confident and can take charge, but not someone who’s so insecure about their manhood that they boss her around all the time.”

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