Page 104 of A Kingpin's Weakness
I didn’t want to deal with him not with my head all tangled up in what felt like a nightmare. I wanted to be anywhere but here, and Jo’s house was that somewhere. I said nothing, just slipped inside as Seth went into the drugstore to grab the Plan B.
I pulled out my phone, shot Noah a quick text, asking if he was home and letting him know I was on my way. My keys and everything else were still at RJ’s. Thank God I had some clothes at Jo’s, at least that part was covered.
Seth came back carrying water, ginger ale, and the little pill packet.
“Here,” he said, voice casual, “just in case you want to take it now.”
I looked at him, genuinely curious and a little irritated by how calm he was. Calm like we hadn’t just maybe conceived a baby in a bathroom on a yacht at a party.
“You’re not worried?” I asked, the frustration bleeding through.
He shrugged like it was nothing. “If it happens, it happens.”
I blinked, disbelief knotting my stomach. “Can you just take me to Jo’s?” I said, my voice cold. Still pissed at how little he seemed to care.
“For what?” he shot back, eyebrows raised.
“That’s where I’m staying.”
“Don’t start that shit, Stormi.”
“I’m serious.” I sighed, tired of this fight I wasn’t even trying to hide.
“If you’re going to Jo’s, I might as well go out then.”
“If that’s what you want to do,” I said sharply, wanting him to just go home too.
He tore open the Plan B packet, handing me the pill. I took it, washing it down with the ginger ale he grabbed. The cold fizz was the only thing grounding me right now.
The rest of the ride was quiet, except for the tapping of his fingers on his phone. I stared out the window, heart racing and mind screaming what the hell was I going to do now?
When we pulled up to Jo’s house, I spotted Noah and his friend sitting on the porch. Dre. I didn’t really know how I feltabout him yet. He was older than Noah, seemed like he’d grown up a bit staying out of trouble. So, he wasn’t on my “fuck you” list; not yet. But damn, just seeing them there made my chest tighten.
Seth killed the engine and hopped out, coming around to my side of the car. I hurried, practically yanking the door open before he could touch it. I knew that would piss him off good. I wasn’t in the mood for his shit right now.
He followed me up to the house, his footsteps heavy and quiet behind me.
“Why you outside so late?” I asked the moment I stood on the porch with Noah.
“Stormi, it’s summer, give me a break. You outside too.” He teased.
“I’m grown,” I snapped back, trying to keep my cool.
Noah’s friend, Dre, smiled and nodded at Seth like he was some part of the crew now.
“What’s up, Seth? Tell your girl she gotta let me grow up,” Noah joked.
“She gonna baby you forever,” Seth shot back, his tone sharp.
I rolled my eyes, already bracing myself.
“Does Jo have company?” I asked.
“Nope, she’s in the living room, watching TV,” Noah said.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the door, stepping inside. Jo turned her head, her face lighting up when she saw me.
“Stormi,” she said, waving me over like this was our normal greeting.
