Page 116 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

I cross my arms and look around, seeing nothing. I can’t believe this is happening. It’s like we’re stuck in a horriblenightmare we can’t escape. It’s been tragedy after tragedy, almost as if the gods are punishing us for something.

“Did anyone give you an update yet?” Jake asks her.

“No. We’re waiting. June’s parents are coming. I called them after I told you.”

“Good. Maybe they’ll get their heads out of their asses,” I chime in.

“Did you hear that?” Katrina asks. “I think someone’s phone is vibrating.”

“It’s mine.” Jake presses the phone to his ear. “Hey, Melissa. Yes, it’s true. We’re at the hospital waiting for news.”

I tune out the conversation and walk away from the group. My chest is squeezed so tight I can’t breathe. I’m beginning to fucking hate hospitals.

A hand on my shoulder makes me look. It’s Lachy. “She’ll be okay, Ryan.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do know. I can feel it. We’re not going to lose our lass today.”

From the corner of my eye, I see June’s parents head over to where the others are. “Let’s go back.”

“How is she?” June’s mother asks Katrina.

“We don’t know yet, Mrs. Summers. She’s in surgery now.”

June’s father pulls his wife to his side while the woman wails. “This would have never happened in Baron. It’s this damn city.”

“It’s not the city, it’s bad people,” Katrina retorts, “And they exist in small towns too.”

“She’ll be safe from violence and sin when she moves back with us. We’re taking her home whether she wants it or not.”

“Over our dead bodies,” I fire back.

The woman scowls. “You shouldn’t even be here. You’re the ones who corrupted my daughter and made her turn her back on her upbringing.”

“We love your daughter!” Lachy yells, making June’s parents wince. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us.”

“You’re confusing lust with love,” June’s father replies.

“We aren’t, sir.” Jake crosses his arms, and I don’t think he’s creating a shield for himself. He’s trying to protect June’s dad from his short temper.

“And who is she going to marry? She can’t marry three men!” her mother blurts out. “And what about children? You can’t possibly bring an innocent child into a depraved, sinful household.”

“How about raising a child in a home filled with love and respect instead of hate and prejudice?” I ask.

Katrina gets between June’s parents and us. “Can we please not argue right now? We should focus on sending healing vibes to June.”

“Fine. As long as they don’t talk to us.” I turn around and sit as far away from them as I can.

Unfortunately, I can’t escape their words. I was the one who suggested we marry June, but we can’t all marry her. Is it fair to ask her to choose who she wants to be legally married to when that time comes?

We’ve been so focused on enjoying the present that we never stopped to think about the future. I’d like to believe love conquers everything, but is that really true?

CHAPTER 48

JUNE

When I wake up, I find my mother resting on the chair in the corner of the hospital room. My shoulder is tender, and when I try to move, it hurts like crazy. My head is a little fuzzy, but I remember exactly how I ended up here. Louis’s dad shot me. The police showed up moments later and arrested him, thank God. I’m not sure what happened to the security guard though. I hope he didn’t die.

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