Page 19 of Love, A Curvy Girl's Guide

Haley blinked up at the ceiling, her head pounding as the muffled hum of voices drifted through the door. Her body felt foreign—heavy, achy, and too warm. Every muscle protested as she shifted, the blanket clinging to her like a second skin. Somewhere deep in her neck, a steady, rhythmic throb pulsed in time with her heartbeat, reminding her that something was terribly wrong.

Where am I?

The room came into focus—a man-cave aesthetic of mismatched furniture, faded paint, and too many deer heads staring down from the walls. It was both familiar and jarring. She’d been in the Johnson house before, but never like this.

Haley’s hand crept up to her neck, where her skin burned hotter than the rest of her. Her fingertips brushed against the tender, raised edges of what could only be a bite mark. Memories flooded back: Ian’s wild eyes, his growl, the shocking pain of his teeth sinking into her. And then… darkness.

Her stomach twisted.What did he do to me?

A door slammed open, and the sharp rise of voices interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

“Did he really bite her? Like, for real?”

“Shut up, Duke. You weren’t even there.”

“What the hell was he thinking?!”

“Enough, boys! Frank’s handling it!”

Haley froze as the voices climbed, overlapping in a chaotic storm. Each one felt like a blow, her anxiety rising with every muffled word. She pushed herself upright, the blanket slipping down her shoulders. The chill of the room against her bare skin snapped her fully into the present, and with dawning horror, she realized she was naked.

Oh, God.

Her cheeks burned as she scrambled to pull the blanket back up, clutching it to her chest like a shield. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to flee, but her legs refused to cooperate.What the hell is going on?

The door opened, and Frank Johnson stepped in, his imposing frame filling the doorway. Haley’s eyes darted to him, wide and panicked. He held up his hands in a calming gesture.

“Easy, kiddo. No one’s gonna hurt you. You’re safe here.”

Safe? The word felt laughable. Nothing about this was safe. Haley’s voice trembled as she asked, “Where’s Ian? What—what’s happening to me?”

Frank hesitated, his mouth pressing into a grim line. “Ian’s... downstairs.”

“Downstairs?” Haley repeated, her voice rising.

Before he could answer, a violent crash shook the floor, followed by a deep, guttural snarl that sent icy fingers crawling up her spine.

Haley paled. “Is that... him?”

Frank sighed heavily. “Yeah. He’s... adjusting. It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” Haley’s laugh came out sharp and brittle. “That doesn’t even begin to cover it! I woke upnaked, with bitemarks on my neck, and I have no idea what’s going on! Where is Ian? Why did he bite me?”

Frank opened his mouth, but the shrill ring of his phone cut him off. Muttering a curse, he pulled it from his pocket and answered. “Yeah... yeah, I know. We’re all here. No, she’s awake. We’ll talk soon.”

He hung up, his expression grim. “We need to have a family meeting. Everyone.”

Haley’s stomach sank. “A meeting? What does that mean?”

Frank didn’t respond, motioning for her to follow. “There are clothes in the dresser. Get dressed and come out when you’re ready.”

Haley stared after him, her heart racing. A meeting? Witheveryone? The last thing she wanted was an audience for this nightmare.

When Haley emergedfrom the room, she found every Johnson brother crowded into the living room, their usual cocky bravado noticeably absent. They sat or leaned around the space, tension etched into their features. Frank stood at the center, his arms crossed and his face set in a mask of determination.

Haley hesitated at the doorway, feeling like an outsider intruding on some secret council.

“There she is,” Dennis said, his tone both teasing and uneasy. “The lady of the hour.”

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