She nods. “So you need me to distract the others while you get your alone time?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.” She jerks her head toward the doors to the outside. “Let’s hit it then.”
Kenz drives us to the coffee shop where we’re meeting the girls. When we get out, I can’t help the little shiver. Caden pressed me up against that building and told me I’m his. I didn’t understand at the time what that meant. Sure, they claimed me, but he wants to keep me.
I shake it off. These weird feelings have persisted since last night with Zach and Tanner. Then seeing Kenz with her boyfriend of two years... My world went from peaceful and downright boring to chaos and never-ending excitement in the course of a day. Now I’m in love with five guys and we’re fighting to keep others from trying to tear us apart.
A little chuckle comes out of me and Kenz turns to look back at me.
Her brows draw together and she stops. “You okay, H.?”
“I don’t know.” My voice breaks. Tears choke at my throat, but I refuse to let them fall. I feel so stupid. I shouldn’t be crying.
She closes the distance between us and draws me into her arms. “Do you want to skip and go somewhere to talk?”
She rubs my back, and I lean into her warmth. I shake my head as I rest it on her shoulder.
“I’m just tired. So fucking tired of all of this.” I release my breath. Not the guys, but everything else. It’s a lot. I didn’t bring baggage to this relationship, but they brought a whole fucking storage unit worth of crap we have to deal with. They’re worth it, but it’s still a lot.
“What can I do to help? Do you need time away from the guys? More time with the guys? You want me to beat up Zach? Cause I’ll do it. I’ll castrate him for what he tried to do to you.”
I lean back and her eyes spark with fire. I snort. “Maybe we’ll save the castration for a special event?”
She grins. “Which holiday is thecut off the balls of an enemy for the friend you loveholiday?”
My chest feels lighter already. “That’s a very good question. I mean, obviously not Valentine’s Day.”
“Mmm, yes, that would becut out the heart of your enemy.” She puts her arm around my shoulder and draws me toward the coffee shop. “Say the word and we’re out of here. Okay? We’ll go throw stones at trees if we need to burn off some energy.”
I laugh. “What did the trees do to you?”
She smiles and stops before opening the door. “Serious for a moment. You’ve gone through a lot, H. You need me to step in and fight for some time with you, you let me know. We’re in this together. Even though you’re the one getting fucked by five guys on the regular.”
“Not usually all at once.” My cheeks are on fire though. Because it’s almost the weekend, and that’s when I get all of them. If we can figure out where to go. A lump settles in my stomach. Maybe not this weekend.
“Are you ready?” She grabs the door handle.
I nod. I can’t put this off. Now or never.
We walk in, and the conversation lulls slightly before picking back up. The girls have the table we’ve been sitting at. They wave and we wave back as we head to the counter.
After we place our orders, Kenz turns to me. “How do you want to do this?”
I hadn’t really thought that far ahead. I glance at the table.
“You didn’t think about it, did you?” Kenz shakes her head and grabs our drinks. “How about you ask Penny to talk privately? I’ll stay with the others to make sure no one disturbs you.”
“That sounds good.” I take my drink from her and we head over.
After the initialheyandhipart, I don’t sit down, but look at Penny.
“Can we talk?” I try not to let my hands shake.
She nods and stands. I gesture to a more secluded corner of the shop and she follows with her drink. When we sit, she lets out a breath.
“I didn’t know if you’d ever want to talk to me again after that dinner. At least, not alone.” Penny’s eyes are hopeful as she meets mine. “I know it looked bad, but I couldn’t tell anyone or I would have.”
