Page 107 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“You can tell me who’s responsible for that video. I think I’ll feel better if I start plotting my revenge against the asshole.”

I tense, unsure if I want June to know it was Wendy. Malcolm’s wife will get what’s coming to her, but I don’t want June to get her hands dirty.

“It was Wendy,” Ryan blurts out before I can signal with my eyes for him to keep his mouth shut.

Fuck. I guess I’m the only one who thought about the repercussions.

June laughs in derision. “Of course. Who else? We’ll wait for Katrina. She’ll have good ideas.”

I pull back and look into her eyes. There’s no malice or hatred in them, just sadness. Plotting revenge might be her way to cope right now, but she won’t follow through on it. That’s not who she is. But that doesn’t mean I won’t. That bitch will pay for hurting the love of my life.

CHAPTER 44

JUNE

My only hope for keeping my parents from coming to my new apartment was not to give them my address. Unfortunately, April had it, and she gave that information away. I don’t want to resent her, but it’s hard for me not to while I’m waiting for my parents to show up and implode my life completely.

Katrina came over after work and stayed to offer moral support—and to be a buffer. I’m thankful for that. I think if my folks got here and saw only my three boyfriends in the living room, it would set them off. It might still happen, but I’m no longer hiding what my boys mean to me. I want Jake, Ryan, and Lachy here when my parents come.

They said they were five minutes away from my apartment, which feels like an eternity. I’m pacing up and down in front of the kitchen and looking at the door every five seconds.

“June, what are you doing?” Katrina pipes up.

“I can’t sit still.”

“You’re making me anxious. Maybe we should all have something to drink.” She gets up from the couch and veers for the cupboard in the kitchen where I keep the booze. “I thinkshots of tequila to take the edge off are in order. Who wants one?” She looks at me first, then at the boys, sitting on the couch.

“I’m fine,” Jake replies.

“Yeah, I’ll pass too,” Ryan adds.

Lachy is the only one who jumps from the couch and says, “I’ll have one.”

Katrina looks at me. “June?”

The doorbell rings, and I freeze. Winston barks from inside the bedroom—didn’t want him getting agitated in case this meeting turns explosive. The cats are in the bedroom too. My heart jumps into my throat and gets stuck there. The bell rings again, and I still can’t move.

Lachy stops next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Do you want me to get that, lass?”

“No,” I croak. “It’s better if I answer the door. Can you please sit back down?”

“Okay.”

I force my feet to move, and it’s like there are rocks attached to my ankles. I look through the peephole just to be sure my parents are outside. Yep.

My chest is tight, and I have to take a breath to force air into my lungs. I’m shaking from head to toe, but I keep my chin raised high. I’m an adult, for fuck’s sake. I shouldn’t be terrified of facing my parents’ wrath.

I open the door wide, and for a moment no one says a word. My father smiles a little, but he looks tired. I’m surprised he’s not glowering like Mom is. She has her trademark bitch face on, the one she reserves for the people she loathes the most. I try to not let that get to me, but it’s hard.

“Are you going to invite us in?” She arches a brow.

I make a flourish motion with my arm. “Do come in, please.”

Mom walks in first with her shoulders squared. Dad follows and gives me a brief hug. “How are you, pumpkin?”

I hug him back, even though I’m stunned he’s being so nice. I can’t imagine he took it well, learning his oldest daughter was sleeping with three men.

“I’ve been better.”

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