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“Love you too, East Side Bitch.”
Lya chuckles at that. “I told you, girl. I’m West Side till the day I die.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. Well, I’m out of here. Bye Lainey, keep this one in line.” Tara waves her hand toward Lya.
“I’ll try, but she’s a little stubborn.”
Sometimes it’s hard to get a word in with their usual banter, but it doesn’t bother me much. Over the years, I’ve become one to observe and assess things before I comment. I used to speak before I fully thought out my responses and that got me into trouble, especially when it came to Harvey.
“A little?!” Tara exclaims, and Lya shoots her a glare. “Okay, I’m leaving for real. See you later, bitches.”
“Bye,” Lya and I call at the same time, as Tara turns to walk through the outside gate.
I turn my attention to Lya. “I’m going to shower before dinner.”
“Okay, I’m going to start the tacos.” She grabs her phone and clothes from the table, heading inside.
Fuck yes. Tacos are my favorite.
Heading upstairs to shower, I look around at their fancy house, with modern appliances, an entire gym, and kickass home office. The sight fills me with happiness. Lya might have spent nine years looking for me, but she also made something of herself. She made it out of our poor little community on the West Side of Craibridge. She went to college, met three men who would do anything for her, and built a successful business—VPAC Tech. Her and her boyfriends started the company, but Lya is the CEO and a total badass. I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished.
Now that I’m away from Harvey, I want to move on from my past, be successful, and make a name for myself too. I don’t want to just be someone Lya and the guys feel obligated to babysit all the time. I get where they’re coming from, but it’s time for me to be my own person. Someone who can take care of herself and live free, without restraints holding her down.
Before I make it to my room, I hear the guys walk through the front door. All three of them cat-call Lya in her bikini and I roll my eyes. They’re all over her any chance they get.
“Seriously, you’re wet and I’m not the cause, baby girl?” Rian purrs.
I rush into my room, shutting the door behind me so I don’t have to hear any more. I’m thankful that I’m here, but I honestly can’t wait till I have my own space so I don’t have to hearthatall day, every day.
* * *
Once I finish my shower,I throw on one of Thiago’s shirts that he left in his dresser, along with a pair of Nike shorts. A delicious smell hits my nose from downstairs, causing my stomach to loudly alert me that I’m hungry. As I head down to join everyone, I hear a whispered argument coming from the kitchen, stopping me in my tracks on the stairs.
“You have to tell her, Lya! I hate lying to her. She deserves to know and make the decision herself.” Thiago’s distressed voice travels up the stairs.
Tell me what? They’re hiding something from me?My blood starts to boil at the thought.
Since I’ve been back, Lya has pushed me to be open and honest about everything that happened over the years, so we can have open communication—even when it’s something she doesn’t want to hear. I thought that went both ways, but it sounds like she has been keeping things hidden on her end. Well, I guess I haven’t been fully honest with her either so I can’t be too mad... But if the guys are getting worked up, it has to be something big.
“She’s not ready!” Lya cries. “You don’t understand. When we were younger, she was the bravest, strongest person I knew. She didn’t take shit from anyone. She’s changed. Sutton changed her.”
“Gorgeous, Thiago’s right. It’s been six months since we brought her home, and she’s come a long way. It’s time.” A different voice sounds, Zep’s maybe.
“What if he hurts her? What if he tries to take her from us? I just got her back… I can’t lose her again.” Lya sounds terrified.
Who ishe? Is she talking about Harvey? I thought their plan to keep him from finding me was solid. If my safety is a concern, then I deserve to know about it.
“We won’t let her get hurt,meu amor.She just deserves to know about him and make the decision for herself. She’s stronger than you think.” There’s Thiago sticking up for me again. He might be one of Lya’s boyfriends, but he always fights for me when he can.
I’d really like to storm in there and demand that she tell me what’s going on, but with the state it sounds like she’s in, I know she won’t give up the information. She’d shut down the second I ask her.
I pop into the kitchen, acting like I didn’t just hear their conversation. “Smells good, sis!” My voice is a little too high-pitched to be natural, but I don’t think they notice.
The four of them scatter like roaches when I appear, only making me more suspicious. Lya turns back to the stove, while Rian heads to grab ice out of the freezer, and the other two start setting the table.
I’ll find out what they are hiding, just not right now.
Lya’s making my favorite for dinner tonight—tacos. She’s been trying to make me feel as comfortable as she can since I’ve been here. It’s been nice to have home-cooked meals and people to share it with, without always feeling on edge from Harvey or the presence of his men.
