Page 90 of Shattered Pieces

“Very aware,” I said dryly, his body relaxing as a small smile formed on his face.

“As long as you know. Happy Birthday.”

“I’m sorry I’ve been an ass to you guys,” I said on an exhale, Lukas blinking at me in surprise.

“Damn, you got old and wise for your nineteenth?”

“Shut up,” I chuckled, raking a hand through my hair. “I’m bad with emotions, okay? I’m angry at Rory, and you guys got hit in the crossfire.”

“You should try therapy,” he said lightly, and I knew he was being serious.

“Is it helping you?” I asked, knowing I should check in with him more. Just because his mother was away from him, didn’t mean she wasn’t still haunting him.

He shrugged, sitting up a little. “Some days. Other days, I’m back to square one. Lately, it hasn’t been great because Mom’s been trying to contact me.”

“What the fuck for?” I scowled, wanting to strangle the bitch. If she fucked up his progress, I’d pay Skeeter to kill her or something.

“The reports about Jense and I. Her friends are probably all gossiping about it. I haven’t answered any unknown calls, but that’s who I’m assuming it is, anyway. It all started when the articles went out about us.”

“Have you told Mom?”

“No, and I’d rather you didn’t either. She doesn’t need to worry about it, I’m just not answering. I’ll change my number again if I have to,” he answered, motioning to Jensen. “Clive called Jense and asked him about it. Said at least he couldn’t knock me up, then hung up the phone. He thankfully doesn’t give a shit about it.”

Tyler sprawled out on the floor with a loud sigh. “Look at us all getting along. I can feel a circle jerk coming on.”

“Fuck off, idiot,” Lukas scowled, flipping him off. “Play with your own cock.”

“I won’t have to soon. Skeet and D found out who the witness to Max’s murder is and went to the Devils’ warehouse last night to tell them. I have no idea who it is, but Hunter’s going to start planning.”

“Skeet’s helping?” I asked with surprise, and Tyler shrugged, pulling his phone out to text.

“Diesel was the one to do it, Skeet was just there. I walked in at the tail end of their conversation. He stomped off when Hunter told us about Rory and Lexi though.”

“What about them?” Jensen asked dryly, obviously not knowing either.

“They’re banging,” Tyler replied, his face lighting up as his phone rang. “This is early. Hey, baby. We were just talking about you.”

Lukas and Jensen were still processing the whole Rory and Lexi thing, Lukas giving me a what the fuck look. Tyler put the phone on speaker, my heart thumping harder as Rory’s dry chuckle hit me.

“All bad, I bet. Who are you with?”

“Luke, Jense, and Caden. You’re on speaker.”

She was quiet for a second before answering, her voice soft. “Happy Birthday, Holloway.”

She knew my birthday? Had the guys reminded her? I wasn’t even sure I’d told her, so maybe Mom had?

Tyler kept eyeing me, waiting for me to answer her, but I kept my mouth shut.

“Tell us about your new girlfriend,” Tyler joked to try and ease the tension that was forming, making her curse at him as he dissolved into laughter.

I didn’t really want to hear about someone else fucking her. It only soured my mood more.

“She’s not my fucking girlfriend,” she hissed.

“Prison wife then? Oh! Scissor sister? Sounds less formal,” Tyler stated, making her snort.

“Stop talking. Luke, mental health check. How are you?”