Page 47 of Don't Lie To Me

Maddox hops out of the car and opens the door for Harley. She has a hand on her growing belly and looks awkward as she steps out of the car. Ricky isn’t far behind her, the three of them approaching us. She mouthsI’m sorry, and I know it’s because of her entourage. I offer her a half smile back, understanding.

“Look at you, sis, positively glowing.” I beam at her, able to fake it for my friend.

“I don’t feel like I’m glowing. I feel like these two are practicing their kickboxing skills on my stomach.” She laughs lightheartedly.

“They take after their dad.” Maddox smirks, and Ricky chuckles.

“Can you stomach lunch?” I ask her more seriously. I couldn’t give a shit about food, I just need her to snap some sense into me.

“Maybe.” She smiles softly, and I know the answer is no.

“What do you feel like? We can go wherever you like,” I offer.

Her eyes light up. “Something greasy.”

“Yeah, good idea, baby doll, I could go a burger and fries,” Ricky agrees, wrapping an arm around her.

“Who said you were invited?” I smirk at Ricky playfully.

“Me.” He winks in my direction, and I know he couldn’t care less. “There is a burger joint just up the street,” he offers, trying to be useful.

Romeo has locked up the vacant space and moves toward us with way too much confidence. “I could go for a burger, I think I will join you.”

I give him a sharp, sideways look, a wave of irritation washing over me, settling like concrete in my stomach. “You weren’t invited,” I snap, bitchy as all hell.

His eyes light up at the challenge. “Didn’t think I needed an invitation to hang out with my cousins.” He pats Ricky on the back, and Ricky chuckles.

Swallowing down my irritation with a grumble, I turn away from him and wrap my arm around Harley, the two of us starting to walk down the street away from them. They will do whatever the fuck they want anyway.

“You okay?” she asks softly, glancing back over her shoulder.

My head drops, the weight of the past week settling heavily on my shoulders. “Nope.”

“I’m sorry the boys are here, they’re all overprotective because of the babies. I can’t go anywhere without at least one of them tagging along.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I sigh heavily.

Her eyes meet mine. “Shit, Sloane, how bad is it?”

“When we get to the burger joint we’re sitting alone. I’m going crazy over here. If I don’t get it out, I’m going to explode, and I won’t be held accountable for my actions if I do.”

She laughs and hugs me a little closer to her. “I can’t wait to hear all the juicy gossip. Don’t worry, the boys have strict instructions to leave us alone while we eat.”

We push open the glass door, the cool air hitting me in the face instantly and making me realize just how hot my cheeks are. I’m so worked up it’s like there is fire burning inside of me. The two of us walk straight through to a vacant table in the back with only two chairs and take a seat. I watch as the boys all follow us. Maddox looks our way before moving into a booth seat at the front of the little burger joint. The others follow him. Even Onyx takes a seat beside Ricky. Fucking Romeo smirks at me like he’s won something. I have no idea what, I’m not eating lunch with him.

A server arrives at our table, interrupting my death glare in Romeo’s direction. I force a smile at the blonde teen. “What can I get you?” She chews on a stick of gum as she asks.

“Beef burger, double cheese, with fries and a strawberry milkshake, please,” Harley says.

I glance at my friend. I thought she didn’t feel like food. “I’ll have the quinoa and kale burger with fries and a Coke, thanks.”

Harley stops the waitress with a hand to her arm. “Can you charge all our food to the table of men at the front there?” She winks in my direction, and I can’t help but smirk back at her. “It’s their fault for gatecrashing our lunch date.”

“Um, sure,” the server says with a snicker, leaving us to it.

“Tell me, what the hell is going on with you and Romeo? He can’t keep his eyes off you. But you don’t like him?” she asks, confused.

“He’s trying to take over my business, sis. I’m not his biggest fan, no.”

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