Page 109 of All Along

Their shit was not easy to get over with. Maya’s father basically chased Caleb away with a pack of lies. Needless to say, Maya’s father is a piece of shit.

We’ve tried and tried to convince Maya to cut off contact with her parents but she longed for their love. Until Caleb came back to town and showed her what real love is. I know Caleb has issues and he’s not perfect, but I will love him forever for showing my friend she deserves better.

“Speaking of shit to get over.” Nova points to Eli.

“What is he doing here? Caleb couldn’t have possibly invited him.”

I watch as he prowls through the room as if he owns it. Must be nice to be a billionaire who thinks the world owes him.

When no one answers my question, I return my attention to my friends. They’re all sporting blank faces. Which means they’re up to no good.

I aim my attention at Nova. She’s the weak link here. Sophia and Chloe will never crack. They’ll spend a night in jail before they admit to any wrongdoing. Ask me how I know.

Nova begins to squirm under my attention.

“Nova,” Sophia warns.

“Don’t make me tell Hudson you knew you could get pregnant,” Chloe adds.

Nova narrows her gaze on Chloe. “Hudson has been to every doctor’s appointment with me. He knows I had an IUD and didn’t realize it needed to be replaced.”

I latch onto the opportunity to change the subject away from Eli. I may want to know why he’s here but I want to ignore him more. “How did you not know?”

She throws her arms in the air. “I wasn’t paying attention. It’s not as if I was having tons of sex.”

I purse my lips. “Having sex is immaterial. You’re a woman. You should be aware of your contraception requirements.”

“Contraception requirements?” Chloe groans. “Way to make sex sound boring.”

Natalia, who’s standing a few feet away, perks up at the word sex. She creeps closer.

“Sex is never boring. Is Lucas doing it wrong? Do you need a new set of handcuffs?” Sophia waggles her eyebrows.

“Gross,” Natalia shouts before rushing away.

Sophia glares at me. “Why didn’t you tell me Natalia was behind me?”

“She needs to learn not to eavesdrop.”

Chloe snorts. “The way you did?”

I purse my lips. “I only eavesdropped on Flynn and Sophia because you told me if I didn’t, you’d hack into the school’s database and change all my grades to D minus.”

“Joke’s on you. I don’t know how to hack.”

“I realize this. But you are beautiful. All you have to do is snap your fingers and men will do whatever you ask of them.”

Chloe wrinkles her nose. “Lucas doesn’t do whatever I ask.”

Nova smiles. “Which is why he’s perfect for you.”

“I don’t know. A little sex slave, who I can order around, might be fun.”

“Excuse me.” Lucas snatches Chloe’s wrist. “I need to speak to my wife.”

“Oh, goodie. I’m in trouble.” Chloe giggles as he herds her away.

A baby cries and Nova sighs. “Speaking of trouble.”

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