Page 77 of Forsaken Oath

Nate’s jaw clenches, his knuckles turning white as he grips the porch railing. “A friend,” he repeats, his tone flat and disbelieving. “Since when do you stay out all night with friends, Thorne?”

“Since now,” I snap, turning on my heel and heading toward my house. “Sleep it off, Nate.”

I storm into my house, slamming the front door behind me with more force than necessary. My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of anger and guilt swirling uncomfortably in my gut.

How dare Nate question me like that, as if I owe him an explanation for my whereabouts? As if he has any right to police my actions or who I spend my time with. The audacity grates on my nerves.

But beneath the righteous indignation, a small seed of remorse takes root. Nate looked wrecked, like he’d been up all night worrying about me.

But I’m not some fragile thing that needs to be coddled and protected. Last night proved that. I can take risks, I can let myself feel and experience new things without the world crumbling down around me.

“Fuck,” I breathe out, trudging into the kitchen, my mind a jumbled mess of conflicting emotions. The giddiness from my night with Beau wars with the guilt over Nate’s obvious distress. I fill a glass of water from the tap and chug it down, hoping to clear my head.

As I set the empty glass in the sink, my phone buzzes insistently from inside my purse. I fish it out, my stomach dropping when I see the three missed calls and ten unread texts from Nate. But all that gets shoved to the side when I read my incoming texts.

Unknown Number: Congratulations, you’ve made the cut. Wait for further instructions.

Beau: I’m craving peaches for breakfast.

Heat blooms in my cheeks as I read Beau's words, desire stirring low in my belly at the memory of his mouth on me, his tongue working me to dizzying heights of pleasure. I bite my lip, my fingers hovering over the screen as I debate my response. I don’t even know how he got my phone number, but I don’t really care right now.

Me: You didn’t get your fill last night?

I press send before I can second guess myself.

Beau: Never

Beau: I’ll never get enough

My grin grows wide,

Me: You flirting with me, Beau?

Beau: If you have to ask, I’m not doing it right.

Beau: Don’t worry, I’m a dedicated man.

As I grin down at my phone, lost in thoughts of Beau, Vivie and Margot trudge down the hallway. They look half-asleep and grumpy as hell.

“Morning, gals,” I murmur.

Their heads snap up as one, eyes and grins growing wide.

“You’re back,” Vivie sings, skipping into the kitchen and barreling into me. She wraps her arms around me like I’ve been gone for weeks and not for one night.

“I’m back,” I sing-song, returning her hug. “And I think we have time for pancakes.”

Vivie squeals and jumps, still hugging me. “Yes! I love pancakes!”

I drop a kiss to the top of her head and glance at the clock on the stove. “Alright, sis, we better hurry. Go get the mix out of the pantry, will you?”

“Yep,” Vivie says, releasing me and skipping to the pantry.

“So,” Margot hums.

My cheeks flush like I just got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

Margot whistles under her breath, brows raised. “Damn, Louie. I want to say I’m impressed, but I knew you had it in you.”

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