Page 57 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

Mia hesitates, biting her lip, and Zoe steps in, her voice firmer. “She’s been telling people that you’re… That you’re sleeping with her dad.”

The room tilts, and for a second, I feel like the floor is dropping out from under me. My breath catches in my throat, and my heart feels like it’s about to explode.

No. No, no, no.

“What?” I choke out. “She… She said what?” How has she figured it out? Or maybe she hasn’t figured out anything, but she just wants to see if anything is stirred up by her spreading rumors like this.

Mia looks at Zoe, and Zoe takes over. “She’s been saying it since yesterday. She texted me. Did she text you too, Mia?”

Mia nods mournfully. “At first, I thought she was joking. Then, it was pretty clear that this wasn’t a joke. I don’t know who else she’s told, but…it’s out there, Madison. And you should know. I don’t know what you’ve done to tick her off into making something up like this, but she is acting like it’s true.”

My head spins, and the nausea hits me like a freight train. My stomach twists violently, and for a second, I think I might actually vomit. I press a hand to my mouth, trying to keep it together, but the room feels too small, too suffocating.

How could she?

I know she’s just in the other room, and I can’t afford to break down now. If I start sobbing or screaming, and I’m really not sure which one I would prefer, then she’s going to win.

“I—I’m not… I mean, that’s not… I would never—” Deny it. I have to deny it. Zoe knows some, but I’m hoping she’s not putting together what I’ve told her with what Aurora has been saying.

I risk a glance up to her eyes, but Zoe won’t meet mine. She must know. She’s not stupid. She’s figured out that Ethan is the “older guy” I was talking about.

Luckily, it seems like she hasn’t said anything to Mia.

Mia reaches out and grabs my arm gently, her expression sympathetic. “Madison, we know. We don’t believe it. But we thought you should hear it from us before she confronts you about it or…have you done something recently that would make Aurora say something like this?”

Yes, I’ve slept with her father. But I can’t admit that, and Aurora can’t know. There’s no way. Ethan wouldn’t tell her, and I didn’t. No one else knows.

Mia continues, keeping her voice quiet so that Stella and Aurora won’t hear us from the kitchen. “I don’t know why she’s saying it, but we figured…it might have something to do with how absent you have been. You haven’t hosted anything, and you missed that meeting. Aurora might feel like you have other things to do, and I’m sure you do. I’m just not sure why she landed onthisas an explanation.”

Mia swallows and looks almost guilty to say it. “Maybe she doesn’t like that her dad is helping you with the dogs. Even though I can’t imagine why.”

My mind races, flashing back to when Ethan showed up at the door while Aurora and Mia were there. It was awkward, and I almost didn’t cover for it, but I thought I pulled it off.

“I can’t believe this. I don’t even know what to say. I honestly don’t want to stay here and deal with decorations when that’s what she’s saying behind my back.”

Zoe’s expression softens, and she steps closer. “Madison, you need to talk to her. You can’t let this go. You need to…bring things out into the open.”

I don’t know if this is Zoe’s hint that she thinks Ethan is the “older guy” I mentioned or not. Either way, she’s right about one thing. I have to talk to someone, but it’s not Aurora I want to talk to. It’s Ethan. He needs to know aboutthis. But at the same time, I’m not good at having difficult conversations. Maybe it would just be easier to hide out and avoid him as long as possible.

I stand abruptly, needing to get out of there. I can’t breathe in this room. I need air, and I need out of Aurora’s place.

“I—I have to go. Tell Aurora whatever you want, but I need some…space to process this.”

“Madison, wait.” Mia tries to catch my arm, but I’m already moving toward the door, my mind spinning. I can’t stay here. I can’t face Aurora right now. I can’t even think straight.

“I’m sorry. I need to go.” And then, I do. I march out the front door without saying anything to Aurora. Is this it? Am I going to lose all my friends? It seems like everything in my life is spinning out of control.

27

ETHAN

I’m just steppinginto the house after a long, overnight shift at the hospital when I hear a car in the driveway behind me.

I turn, wondering if it’s Madison. She’s never driven over to my place, but I’m not expecting anyone else. Even though I’m exhausted, I wouldn’t mind spending some time with her. I texted her last night before I headed in for my shift, but she said she was feeling sick.

My excitement about potentially seeing her again stops when I see who it is. It’s Aurora. I would recognize her bright purple vehicle anywhere. I step inside and give myself a moment to breathe before she reaches the front door.

She’s been distant from me for the last couple of weeks, and I honestly haven’t been reaching out to her as often as I should.

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