Page 44 of Vile Boys

Her mother steps in with a plate filled with pork loin and sauce, a blush creeping onto her cheeks when she sees my dad and me.

“Oh … you told him?” she mutters.

He nods. “Yes. I have no reason to hide.” My father stretches out his hand, and she puts down the plate before offering her hand. He presses a gentle kiss on top that makes me want to vomit. “You’re too lovely not to share.”

She chuckles and blushes some more, and the sight makes me want to roll my eyes.

I haven’t seen my father act like this in a long time.

She leans in, and he kisses her right in front of me, and Crystal’s jaw is nearly on the floor.

“Wow. That was quick.”

“Sorry, we can’t help ourselves,” her mother says, giggling like a schoolgirl. “Sparks have been flying since I first laid eyes on him.”

“I couldn’t help myself. She was that beautiful,” my father says.

“O-kay …” I mutter. “The food’s getting cold, though.”

“Oh, right, let’s eat, everyone!” her mother says and sits down beside Crystal.

But as her mother scoops up potatoes onto my plate, all I can do is stare at Crystal, who seems blissfully unaware of how much I want to punish her for letting all this happen.

But I won’t let her get away with this.

Crystal

I haven’t eaten.I nibbled at my food.

I guess that’s what happens when a muscular, tattooed, threatening guy stares at you with each bite you take.

He’s wearing a pair of expensive-looking black pantaloons and a white button-up shirt, complete with a jacket. His dad must’ve told him to dress nice for the occasion, which means his dad thinks my mom is a big deal. But he’s still got those piercings and that upside-down cross dangling from his earlobe to rebel.

Caleb’s eyes are on me like a hawk still, watching me swallow down my drink, and it still makes me choke up. His tongue darts out to wet his lips when I put down my glass, and I almost make it tip over.

“Abigail,” Caleb suddenly says slickly. “Would you mind telling me where the bathroom is?”

“Oh, unfortunately, the bathroom is being renovated right now. But we have another one upstairs. Crystal can show you,” Mom says.

Oh shit. I hadn’t thought about that at all.

Caleb scoots back his chair and towers over the table in a menacing way.

“Uh …”

My mom prods me, and I practically feel forced to stand.

“Sure.”

Sweat drops begin to form on the back of my neck as I slowly push back my chair and step away.

Caleb meets me halfway near the edge of the table, and says, “Lead the way.”

The only bathroom this house has left is out of sight of both his dad and my mom.

And definitely far enough to muffle any sounds.

Shit.

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