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“Of course you can. Lex is doing paperwork so she’s in there.” He dropped his arm around my shoulders to steer me in the direction of the office, his voice softening. “You swear he didn’t hurt you?”

“He didn’t. He’s acting stupid in front of his friends like he always does. I’m just over it,” I whispered. I looked to where Riley and Ander had been sitting, only to find them gone. It was probably a good thing or she would’ve caused a crime scene.

Mom got to her feet as we entered the room, her voice sharp when she noticed the look on my face. “What the fuck happened?”

I didn’t want her to know the shit they’d been saying about her, but I had to tell her something to stop her from losing her shit. I went to speak, but Milky beat me to it, his voice gentle as Mom wrapped her arms around me tightly.

“She’s here with Stan and his friends. She just broke up with him and wants to sit in here with you until you go home.”

“Do I need to call Arch to deal with them?”

“She said they didn’t hurt her. I’ll tell them to leave though,” he said firmly, leaving the room and closing the door behind him to give us privacy.

Mom took my face in her hands, wiping my tears with her thumbs. “Was he being an asshole? Showing off in front of his friends?” I nodded, a sigh of disappointment leaving her as she pulled me close again, her fingers combing through my hair. “I’m sorry. Boys can be such pricks. I’m proud of you for not letting him get away with it.”

“I’m going to have to get my stuff from his house.” I sniffled as she gave me a small smile.

“Trust me, we’ll send your father with you to make sure you get what you need and leave without a problem. If you want to go home instead of hanging around here, I can drive you home then come back.”

I shook my head, pulling back to try and get my shit together. “No, finish your work first. I can wait.”

“You sure?” She frowned, motioning to the couch in the corner when I nodded. “Alright. Get comfortable. I’ll try and be quick, but I still have a lot to do.”

“It’s fine, Mom. If I really want to go, I’ll tell you.” I smiled at her before walking towards the couch to get comfortable. It was going to be a long night, and my chest ached the more I thought about Stanley. I loved him, but I had to learn to love myself more, no matter how selfish that made me feel.

If I really loved him as much as I thought, then why was I finding my thoughts drifting to Riley instead?

* * *

“You sure you don’t want me to tip a little whiskey in it?” Angel grinned as she handed me a glass of coke. “I won’t tell on you. Boys suck.”

I smiled, giving my head a small shake as I took the cool glass, speaking loudly over the music and laughter from people around us. “Drinking when you’re upset just makes it worse, you know?”

“Huh. I usually get really happy, horny, then laid.” She chuckled before glancing over my shoulder. “Hey. I didn’t know you were still here. Where’d your friend go?”

I glanced behind me to find Riley there, her hoodie slung over her shoulder and her bat in her hand. I thought she’d left too, and part of me wished she wasn’t here. I wouldn’t handle her yelling at me when I was feeling so shitty.

After the issues at the track earlier, I knew she was pissed at me. I should’ve told Stanley to shut his mouth when he started the lesbian slurs, but I always kept my mouth shut to avoid conflict.

I was such a bitch, and I hated that I couldn’t stand up for my best friend because I was a pussy.

Her eyes raked over me, but she didn’t speak to me as she turned her attention to her sister.

“We’ve been in a private room talking. He’s still in there.”

“You paid for a room just to talk to your friend? Wasn’t Peaches with you?”

Riley shrugged, stepping forward to lean on the bar beside me. “Yeah, she was with us for a while. Ander paid for her time, but he let her nap for the hour. She’s tired.”

“We’re all fucking tired,” Angel grunted, motioning to me. “Luna’s practically dead on her feet.”

“Your boyfriend too busy choking one of the workers with his dick that he can’t take you home?” She scoffed, her eyes softening slightly as Angel scolded her.

“Don’t be a bitch. She broke up with him earlier, so she’s waiting for Lexi to finish for the day so she can get a ride with her.”

“You actually dumped his ass? The fuck did he do?” she asked tightly, angling her body to face me. “Do I have to rearrange his face?”

“No,” I mumbled, not meeting her gaze. “He was just being a dick like he was at the track, and I got tired of it.”