Page 175 of Ace of All Hearts

“I know Xi.”

“Okay, well, I want you to meet my mom.”

“So we’re meeting parents now?” Rose chuckles.

“Seeing as yours are non-existent, Sam’s are dead, and Rach’s are homophobic…”

“Hey, my dad is fine with it!” I interject, but he keeps going.

“...we’re left with my mom. And she’s a sweetheart, so you better be on your best behavior.”

“Yes, captain.” Rose salutes him.

“You know why I’m doing this, princess. Right?”

She looks at him, confused.

“Because I love you,” he finally says.

Her mouth drops open and she readjusts herself on the sofa, then smiles. “I love you too.”

Lik puts a hand on his heart and sighs dramatically. “I’m glad we gotthatout of the way. We can dine now.”

“What time are we leaving?”

He taps on his phone to check the time, and his eyes widen. “Oh shit, get ready.”

Still in her towel, Rose lifts her arms up. “I need help.”

Three heads snap to her right away. We’re such suckers for the bitch.

“Can someone carry me upstairs?”

“Are you out of your mind,” Sam scolds her. “What do you think this is?”

“My therapist said to start small when it comes to being honest and asking for help. Well, my legs are still shaking from Lik’s shower fuck. So, I need help going upstairs.” She enhances her words by shaking her arms up.

“Just go get ready,” I huff.

“You can still walk on your own,” Lik adds.

“You guys are not even trying to help me heal,” she pouts.

In one gesture, Sam rids her of her towel. He grabs the ends and twists before whipping her thigh with it.

Rose shrieks and bursts out laughing. “Go get ready. Right now.”

“You guys are no fun,” she shouts as she disappears up the stairs.

38

ROSE

Trust- Boy Epic

Rummaging through the fridge, I finally pull out the carton of milk. I bring it to the table, where I already have a bowl of cereal waiting for me. I pour my milk and hurry to find myself a spoon before even putting the lid back on the bottle. Dancing on the spot, I wriggle my ass to a song I’m humming. I can’t remember what song it is, but it’s been stuck in my head for days. God, I’m starving. I don’t think I ate anything today and it’s almost dinner time.

I do a slow spin with the bowl in my hand and a spoonful of cereal in my mouth. When I’m back into my initial position, Sam has entered the kitchen, watching me dance with a disapproving stare as he leans against the wall, his legs and arms crossed. My jaw falls open at the sight of him.

---