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“I broke Xander,” I say, haunted.
“Xander knows?” Eliot says with a slow-growing smile, feasting on the chaos. “You’ve been holding out on us.”
Yes, I have. “Is it making you feel better?” He’s no longer raging over his theatre troupe. I hope some good can come out of the messiness of my life.
“Somewhat, but I never forget a slight.” He steps into his slacks.
“Hey, stop, Luna with No Middle Name.” Tom sees me pacing. He grabs my arm with his non-injured wrist, halting me so I don’t tunnel into anxiety. “Beckett will be fine. Let’s just focus on you.”
Donnelly comes closer. Slowly, nearly affectionately, he slips a cigarette behind my ear, his fingers lingering against the strands of my hair, tucking them back. My breath hitches, and the moment is a millisecond. But I grip on to it as he plucks another cigarette for himself.
Eliot is observing. “Seeing you do that to Luna now with this new context changes everything.” His lips rise. “You know what the most shocking part is?”
“That you didn’t see it sooner?” I guess.
“No, deception is strong with you. It’s thatyouasked for permission first.” His gaze veers over to Donnelly. “From her father. Why?”
“Shits and giggles,” Donnelly says, fitting the cigarette between his lips.
“I’d only be shitting myself confronting Uncle Loren withthat,” Tom notes.
“I’d just be giggling,” Eliot says.
“No, he’ssoprotective over Luna,” Tom argues. “Dude, I’m surprised he didn’t immediately nuke your career in security and everything else you love. Wait—are we sure that tabloid is actually fake?”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Donnelly says, deciding not to light his cigarette. He slips it behind his ear. Every time he glances over at me, my heart somersaults. “Lo knows I can’t have my family thinking I’m in love with her.”
“Love?” Eliot’s grin has exploded. He buttons his slacks with an amused, delighted laugh.
Tom is grinning now too.
He told my best friends he’s trying to date me. That he loves me.It’s sinking in, and I feel my smile mushroom.
Donnelly shares the grin. “You think I would do all of this just for a girl I sort of like?”
“This is beautiful,” Eliot says, “and tragic all at the same time.”
FANATICON FORUM
WE ARE CALLOWAY
Posted by @lorensfavtaco616 #wac-mod
Loren/Donnelly Feud Megathread
Discuss the most recent news about Loren possibly hating an SFO bodyguard. (Yes, it’s Donnelly. Confirmed via the article linked.) Please be respectful of each other and the families, or you will be banned from the WAC forum.
@fairyduzting:if Loren Hale is that pissed at him, how is he still breathing??
@LionsTigers_andHales:Welp, dude lost GOAT status in less than 48 hrs.
@PoppyRedemptionArc:we should’ve seen this coming. Aren’t there photos of Loren glaring at SFO during charity events? I bet he was looking at Donnelly this whole time. #proof
@TALEasOLDasT1ME:Not shocking that Donnelly is a bad influence. Loren is just trying to protect his son, and if you like Xander, you should want the same thing too. #TeamLoren
@WAC77Lover:can no longer stan.
@Oslie4Ever:I bet he didn’t even deliver Jane’s baby. Could’ve been a publicity stunt to try to make him look better, but the truth always comes out.
