Page 21 of A Very Addicted Christmas

I can almost feel Tom’s jaw drop and Eliot’s eyes narrow into lasers.

Before they can speak, I add quickly. “My period was late—the test was negative, though. And that’s my news—what Iwanted you guys to know.” I nod heartily like it’ll end the conversation instead of open up a new chapter in a book of doom.

Tom is still in shock. “What the actual fuck, Luna?”

Wind nips at my skin, and I slide my arms into my hoodie sleeves. “I wanted to tell you guys when I needed help going to the store, but Xander kind of thought I was acting strange. I didn’t want to lie. Kinney was there. It came out, and then Farrow helped me.” My knees bounce. “It was a whole mess that ended with a happy ending. Not pregnant.”

“The happiest of endings,” Eliot agrees, exhaling a long breath, and I catch him shaking his head. When our eyes latch, he gives me a smile that feels like a hug. It’s theit’s okay, my friendsmile. It’s theI’m here for you, alwayssmile. It’s the smile that wraps around me and makes me feel like my fuck-up is over, even if it’s still lingering behind me like a shadow. He breathes, “We don’t need any Baby Worms around here.”

Tom puts an arm around my shoulders. “I can’t believe you went through that. Moffy was there?”

I nod strongly. “It’s nice having Farrow, too. I guess that’s a perk to my brother dating someone I really like.”

Tom considers this and puts music on his phone. It plays softly. “Maybe we should get Jane to date someone we like.”

“You two don’t like very many people,” I tell them.

“Luna Hale, calling ushaters,” Eliot says with a rising grin.

“I’ll wear that badge,” Tom says, his arm still hanging along my shoulder, and we sway to the beat of a My Chemical Romance song.

“With honor,” Eliot adds, “as will I, dear brother.”

I smile softly. I like that Eliot and Tom aren’t angry that I didn’t say something sooner. They just care about me, and they’re glad I’m okay.

That’s one thing I love about our friendship. It’s easy. Uncomplicated. There is no competition about information. I’m fine when they keep things with the Cobalts, and they’re okay when I go to my siblings. And when we do confide in each other, there’s unquestioning support.

“Speaking of happy endings,” Eliot shifts on his tree stump. “I’m afraid that I won’t be seeing one soon.” He forces a smile.

I go still. “What?” I look to Tom, his face turning pained.

“Caden needed to be reminded not to fuck with you,” Eliot says like it’s simple.

“What’d you do?” I look between them, eyes wide.

“I decorated his Porsche’s windshield,” Eliot says casually. “With some Shakespeare.”

“The red paint was permanent,” Tom adds. “So that asshole can reflect longer.”

I slowly begin to smile. Maybe I should feel awful for Caden, but I feel better that he experienced some kind of consequence for saying shit about me. “What quote?”

“‘The most unkindest cut of all,’” Eliot recites. “It wasn’t enough, Luna.” He scrapes his boot against the dirt, staring down at the earth. “Now hearing about your pregnancy scare, I wish I broke his windshield. I wish I bashed in the doors with a baseball bat. I wish?—”

“It was enough,” I cut off Eliot, holding his gaze. “It makes me feel…better. You didn’t have to do more.” I enjoy writing; I should have better words, but it’s always been hard to articulate my feelings out loud.

I might be supporting his vandalism—but I can’t help it. He did thisfor me,and it feels good to have someone defend me at school.

It would feel worse having no one.

“He didn’t wear a condom?” Tom suddenly asks me, looking to me for confirmation.

My face roasts. “I didn’t think about it. I should have.”

“Heshould have,” Eliot refutes passionately as if to saydon’t blame yourself.

But I am partly to blame. I’m just glad I’m not pregnant. I feel like the universe gave me a win, even if I chose the wrong “option” presented to me.

I’m stuck on something, though. “You got in trouble, didn’t you? That’s why you don’t have a happy ending and you can’t go on tour.”

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