Page 73 of Beautifully Wounded

“Damaged.” JD nods and I nod in return. “Do you think that maybe you see Kylie in her?”

“The fuck?” I hiss, glaring at my best mate, who doesn’t even flinch. He knew I’d react that way.

“She was pretty fucking damaged.” He points out.

“That was fucking different. She had an addiction. A fucking disease. And what for? She never experienced the crap Abbey has had to.”

“Don’t you mean Charity?” JD reminds me, and I fucking rake my hand down my face, trying to calm my growing rage.

Shaking my head, I look up at the sky, pinks and purples washing over the top of us as the summer sun sets.

“I’m not trying to be a prick. What sort of friend would I be if I didn’t ask?”

“Yeah, I know.” I sigh, dropping my gaze back to my mate. “Maybe it’s just because I’m forced to be around her basically twenty-four seven. Maybe I just need to fuck a Doxy and this fucking weird infatuation will vanish.”

“Maybe,” JD shrugs. “It’s worth a try.”

I nod, even though the thought of touching anyone makes me want to swing fists.

“I need to get out of my own funk, too,” JD states. “Was thinking of giving Helina a ride tonight. You feel like a show?”

I smirk. This fucker. He’s such a fucking exhibitionist, and as fucking weird as it sounds, the only other time I’ve gotten off in the last three years with someone else in the room has been while watching him and his fucking antics.

There was a time I’d considered that maybe I was gay, or bi, since I enjoyed watching him. I quickly learned that it was more about the act being displayed right in front of me, and the way he involves me by asking what I want him to do to whichever girl is at his mercy.

Yeah. I fucking like that.

But never have I joined in. Never have I let anyone else touch me, not since Kylie.

“I could use a show.” Jols interrupts, shouldering me as she joins us.

“You wanna be part of the show?” JD asks with a smirk, knowing too fucking well she’ll say no.

“Oh sure. Daddy Smitty would love to see his men rail his stepdaughter.” Jols rolls her eyes, and we chuckle.

“I gotta say, as much as I like you Jols, I don’t wanna see that either, so I’m with Smitty on that one.” I grin and she shrugs.

“Whatever. If these fucking lockdowns don’t stop, I might say yes one day. A girl has needs, after all.”

JD’s fucking eyes light up. “Say the word, Jols, and I’ll rock your world.”

She scoffs. “I’m not so sure you would, tiger.”

“The Doxies don’t complain.”

“The Doxies teach each other how to fake it and look real.” Jols deadpans and JD’s smile falls.

“They do fucking not.”

She shrugs. “What the fuck would I know? I only hang with them eighty percent of the time.”

JD’s expression is priceless, mortification contorting his features as his eyes dance between me and Jols.

“She’s just fucking with me, right?” he asks me, and I chuckle, holding my hands up.

“Don’t fucking bring me into it. I wouldn’t know since I don’t fuck them.”

JD’s eyes darken and he gets in Jols’ face as he points at her. “I fucking challenge you.”

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