Page 176 of Treason's Temptation
“Is he my father?” Rayven asked, randomly.
“No.”
“Well, is he mine?” I countered.
“No! If he was don’t you think I would’ve cashed in that meal ticket?”
I shook my head slowly while Sloane turned the burner up way too high to cook eggs. Everything served a purpose with her, so I couldn’t help but wonder what she was up to this time. For now, my guard was still up, but Rayven seemed to enjoy Sloane’s help packing her bags. I even overheard laughter while I was getting dressed for the day.
She hugged us both and left once I told Rayven that Treason was on his way home. I understood his gripes with Sloane but not hers with him. Despite how we started, he’d been nothing but patient and supportive. Sloane’s mind was a peculiar place, so I didn’t wreck my brain too much double-checking my bag while Treason showered and changed so that we could hit the road.
Ward sat at the front of the bus, headphones covering his ears, with Rayven asleep behind him. Fallon and Treason were in the middle, going over shit that didn’t have anything to dowith me. My feet were propped up in the empty seat, using my lap as a desk, while I shaded the Lily in my coloring book.
“You’ve smiled more today than since we’ve met. It’s freaking me the fuck out,” Treason said, lifting my legs and easing into the seat.
“Don’t you have work to do?”
“I need a break from that shit,” he sighed.
“Stink’s been working hard, huh?” I coddled him, fingering his beard.
“Somebody gotta do it.”
“Excuse me, I am working hard. Hello, baby on board here.”
“I know that’s why I have to go harder to keep that smile on your face. My lady doesn’t do broke.”
“No, she doesn’t,” I snickered.
“Nice to hear you admit that I have one now. That delusional shit was starting to drive me crazy,” he admitted, sliding the other coloring book from underneath.
“TreasonDelusionalWestbrook is all you.”
“Never delusional. Always a realist.”
“Anyways,” I rolled my eyes, ignoring the curve of his lips. “I’m looking forward to the change of pace before I’m thrown back to the wolves. Plus, I didn’t go to college, so I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like.”
“Did you want to?” he probed.
“It never felt like an option. Sloane said going to college was pointless. Why collect debt when she could show me how to get money?”
“How did Rayven end up pre-med? That’s more debt than becoming a lawyer.”
“She wanted it, so I made it happen. Otherwise, she’d end up like Sloane and me. It had to stop somewhere.”
“I don’t know about Sloane, but you’re not too bad,” Treason flirted, rubbing my stomach. A gesture that had him hookedquicker than meth. Any excuse to touch the life brewing inside of me, he used it.
“You can’t do that in public.”
“Then let me enjoy it now.”
“Boy or girl?” I asked, curious what he was praying for.
“Healthy.”
I sucked my teeth, looking down at his mischievous smirk, “Liar, everybody has a preference.”
“A boy.”
