Page 98 of Diem

“I know. I’m so sorry. I…” He runs his hand through his hair. “Can you forgive me?”

I see the regret written over his face and sigh. I need my friend which is why I give in and say, “Of course.”

Maybe I’m a pushover but Matt for all his weird behavior has been a good friend. He’s the first to defend me in sticky situations. I know I can count on him to encourage me when my academics take a nosedive and how can I not let this go, when he always reserves a slice of chocolate for me at lunch?

With an exhale, he grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug before saying softly, “Thank you. I won’t do it again. I swear.”

Warmed by his vehemence, I lean back and say, “I know Matt.”

His bright smile fills me with hope for half a second before he bites his lip, looks over his shoulder and says, “There’s something I think you should see.”

I’d rather dance until I’m numb, but I could use another drink. “Okay,” I say, preceding him into the kitchen when he waves.

Sidling up to the counter, I pause with the tequila in my hand when he grabs it gently and sets it back on the counter. “Out here,” he says, backing to the sliding glass door.

With a frown for my lost drink, I step through the now open door and smile at him quizzically, before following his lead when he grabs my chin and turns my head.

“Ollie?” I whisper, stumbling off the step. When did he get back? Why didn’t he tell me?

Ollie swings around and Diem standing beside Hailey follows suit. My chest burns at the sight, but I ignore him for my brother.

Maybe he can help? Maybe…

“You’re back? I—”

“What are you doing here, Mae?” he barks with his typical blank stare.

Rearing back, I glance between the trio. What did I walk into? Diem’s blazing gaze drills a hole through my sternum, but I don’t know what he’s trying to say. Stay? Go? Fuck off?

Turning back to Ollie, I say, “I was inside and—“

“Whatever! Do you mind?” Hailey spits and I notice for the first time the tears in her eyes.

Although I hate her with the fiery passion of a thousand suns, and no, I’m not being melodramatic, I do feel a kernel of pity for her state. She’s about to start her life and now she has to decide if she plans to do it as a mother or something equally difficult to choose—abortion.

There’s still a small part of me filled with motherfucking hope and I know as soon as I ask, it’s going to be dashed. However, in my defense, she was just as hot and heavy with Jaxon…it could be his. Hell, she might not even know.

“What’s going on?” I ask, meeting Diem’s eyes, where he’s still sending messages I can’t decipher. This is it. I don’t want to hear it, but I know I can’t outrun the tide.

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Ollie says stiffly, “but Diem knocked up Hailey.”

My chest clenches brutally and I step back as though the distance can ward off the blow.

“What the fuck, bro?” Diem barks while Hailey wraps her talons around his arm.

“What?” Ollie sneers. “Everyone is going to know in a few months.”

Backing away, I hit Matt’s chest and he grabs my shoulders. Diem’s eyes fly to his hands before his mouth twists and he says, “Mae.”

Raising a brow, I cover my sob with a rude smile and say shakily, “Wonderful. Congrats. I guess your baby will be my niece or nephew. One big happy family, right?”

“What’s she saying?” Hailey shrieks and Ollie swings to Diem.

Diem’s brows slam over his eyes, and he spits, “She had a right to know.”

“Was that before or after you fucked her?” Ollie says.

Oh shit. Biting my tongue, I flinch when Ollie turns to me and says, “Did he lie and tell you that you mean something to him? He used you just like he does every other bitch, Mae.”

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