Page 106 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“No, but isn’t this the sort of thing she would be all over?”

“Yeah...” I begin to seriously worry about Melissa’s radio silence. This isn’t like her at all.

I look at Ryan and see my worry mirrored in his eyes. “I’ll call her again. Meanwhile, I want you to eat something. Try the soup.” He offers June the bowl.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Please, try a couple spoonfuls. You’ll feel better.”

“I’m afraid I might hurl. Every time I think about that video, I feel sick.”

“Then don’t think about it, lass.”

Ryan takes the bowl of soup back to the kitchen. A moment later, he says, “Uh... June. I think you should check your messages.”

She looks over her shoulder. “Why?”

“Katrina just messaged me on Instagram. It seems your parents are coming to LA.”

“What?” She jumps off the couch, her face turning as white as paper. “How does she know?”

Ryan shrugs. “I don’t know. She just said that your parents are coming to town.”

Damn everything to hell. This can’t be good.

June runs to her room, and I debate following her, but she returns a moment later with her phone in hand. Her brows are furrowed and she’s swiping at her screen. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

She’s freaking out, and there’s nothing I can do besides wait for her to share her burden with us. When she presses her phone to her ear, I know she’s either calling someone or listening to her voicemail.

“Tell me you tried to stop Mom and Dad from coming here, August.”

I watch June’s eyes grow larger, and then her expression crumbles. “I have a support system,” she grits out. “Do you seriously thinkMom, of all people, is coming to help me?”

June presses her palm against her forehead and begins to pace. “You’re wrong, August. I’m not spiraling because Bill dumped me.” Another pause, then she says. “Well, it’s too bad you don’t believe me. I have to go.”

June clicks the end-call button with extra force and keeps staring at the screen, breathing hard.

“So, your parents are really coming to LA?” Ryan asks.

“Yes. My stupid-ass brother just dropped them off at the airport. He thinks the sex video was a cry for help. He gave my parents the idea to come.”

I move closer and pull her into my arms. “Let them come and see that you’re not spiraling.”

“The problem is that Iamcurrently spiraling, and my parents coming here will only make everything worse.”

Ryan and Lachy join us and hug June too, making a sandwich filling out of her.

“We won’t let them, Peaches. You’re our girl, and they’ll have to come through us to get to you.”

“Which means they’re out of luck. I’m not called the Scottish Wall for nothing.”

June presses her cheek against my chest. “I don’t know if I should cry or laugh.”

“Please, don’t cry anymore, my love. I can’t stand it.” I kiss the top of her head.

“I’m sorry. I might not be completely out of tears yet.”

“Tell me what you need from us, lass. Anything.” Lachy brushes a lock of her hair off her face.

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