Page 148 of Restricted List

Yes?

No?

I don’t fucking know

Ella

We’ll be there then

See you soon, Ror

I inhale the scent of my favorite chai latte to try to settle my anxious nerves. Unfortunately, it isn’t much help.

“What’s going on, Rory?” Lo asks, pushing her hair behind her ear.

I let out a breath. “My dad heard your brother at my apartment this morning.”

“Oh shit,” Ella remarks. “What happened?”

“Cole and I were… hanging out… in my bed this morning-” Ella smirks as Harlow grimaces. “-and my dad dropped by unannounced. I’m just glad he didn’t get there thirty seconds sooner because he would’ve heard things he wasn’t meant to hear.”

“I’m brushing past that,” Harlow says uneasily. “I donotneed to know what you two were doing. But what exactly happened?”

“I was talking to him in my kitchen, trying not to seem like he was the last person I wanted to see. I think I was doing a decent job, but then your brother apparently fell over while he was getting dressed. There was no mistaking that someone was over.”

“Does he know it was Cole?” Ella questions.

“No,” I breathe. “He doesn’t. But he now knows for certain that I’m seeing someone and hiding it from him. I don’t know how much longer it will be before he figures it out.”

Harlow grabs my hand reassuringly. “Your dad likes my brother. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.”

“You don’t know my dad like I do.”

“What will happen between you two if he finds out?” Ella looks concerned.

“Hopefully, nothing. I love Cole, and I’m not letting my dad get in between us.”

“You love him?” Ella says sweetly.

“I didn’t realize I said that,” I laugh uneasily. “But yes, I love him. I haven’t told him yet, but I do.”

Ella smiles at me. “Love conquers all.”

“Do you guys really think everything is going to be okay?” I ask them.

“I do,” Harlow states. “My brother is crazy about you. He has been for four years. He’ll do everything he can to keep you.”

“Well, he has me. And I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then I know you and Cole will get through this together,” Ella reassures.

“Thank you, girls. I’m feeling a lot better now.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” they both reply at the same time.

I will be forever grateful for my group of friends, but especially my girls. We have each other’s backs through thick and thin, and nothing will ever change that.

forty-four

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