Page 26 of What's Left of Me

He walked out, shooting me the middle finger.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Phoenix

I walkedinto the kitchen at the wrong time.

“Nick’s slightly thicker than me, but I’m a little longer.”

I tried to turn around and leave, but at that moment Mason and JJ were entering, so I walked farther into the room and the conversation I wanted no part of.

“And you measured?” Four’s head was tilted. He truly seemed curious.

Nick snorted. “Of course we did.”

“Interesting.” Four made anmmhmmsound and shoveled cereal into his mouth.

“What’s interesting?” JJ wondered aloud as he poured coffee, and I couldn’t warn him in time.

“Four wanted to know if we were identical in every way but truth is, we’re not. We have a few different things and one is our…” Noel pointed to his dick.

JJ blinked, frozen. “You…” He glanced at Four. “Sweetheart, are you okay? Did this conversation traumatize you?”

Four shook his head. “I was curious.”

JJ hummed, “But did you really ask for that?”

Four placed his spoon in the bowl and shrugged. “When you ask a question, you open yourself up to not liking the answer. I can’t be upset about Noel’s and Nick’s responses.”

“You most certainly can.” Mason moved to the table with his steaming mug.

“Morning, Phoenix.” Noel smiled as if this entire situation wasn’t awkward as fuck.

“Yeah, morning.”

“Are you traumatized?” JJ came up to me, eyes imploring.

“I wish I came in here a few minutes later, but the damage has been done.”

Nick cackled, and I saw Noel roll his eyes.

“Why are you asking if Phoenix is traumatized?” Shep walked in, kissed JJ on the head, and moved to the coffeepot.

“No!” Mason shouted. “We aren’t talking about this anymore. What’s everyone up to today?”

“I’m going to the shop with Shep and JJ,” Four answered.

“I have dark web deep-diving to do.” I looked at Noel and frowned. “No big—I’m used to it.”

How could anyone be used to going into the most evil recesses of the Internet where the monsters were most vile and witness any of that? Was this normal practice for him? How was he sane?

“Aziza is coming in a little while, right?” Hazel squeezed my shoulder as she passed by.

“Yeah. We’re going to take a walk.”

Hazel regarded me and everyone else. “Is that safe?”

“He’ll be on the property.” Nick smiled. “I’ll be here today and watch the cameras, don’t worry.”

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