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“She’s not being too pushy with you? I know she’s extremely open and confident with her sexuality.” He frowned, seeming to relax as I shook my head.

“She’s letting me take the lead with most of it. It’s at my pace, and she’s really good at reading me. She’s also trying not to scare me away.”

“You’re not doing it just to make her happy, right? If she was a real friend, she’d understand.”

“She’s aware this might not stick, and she’s okay with that. She loves me, but she also knows she can’t make me love her,” I answered, turning onto Stanley’s street. “We’re making sure we communicate about it.”

“I’m worried about you, but I’m also worried about her. She’s a good kid, and you two have been thick as thieves since you were born. If this break up with Stanley becomes temporary…” I was surprised he was taking it so well, but I didn’t need him to worry.

“It’s not temporary,” I said firmly, parking in the driveway and shutting off the engine, not surprised to find multiple cars everywhere. “He was being a jerk. If he’s going to choose his friends over me, then I don’t want to be with him.”

He gave me a proud smile, patting my arm. “You’re a good girl. Don’t put up with anything less than what you deserve, and you deserve someone who thinks you’re their world.”

I smiled, opening the door and climbing out, while hoping the house wasn’t too bad when we walked inside. Unsurprisingly, it was.

Dad walked in behind me, the smell of cigarettes and weed hitting us hard. Beer cans littered the floor as we walked into the kitchen, and people were passed out in the living room on the floor.

It looked like a damn crack house.

Dad’s jaw was so tense I was surprised he didn’t break it.

Raymond stirred, rolling over on the couch and giving me his usual creepy smile. “Hey, babe. What are you doing here? I knew Stan wouldn’t throw you out for long.”

I knew Stanley would spin some story despite there being witnesses to me leaving him, but I didn’t care. These people weren’t my friends, and I didn’t care what they thought of me.

“I’m just picking up my stuff,” I said lightly. “Where’s Stan?”

“Fuck knows. Probably in bed,” he mumbled, squinting at Dad. “This your new boyfriend? He’s a little old for you.”

“This is my dad, asshole.” I scoffed, his eyes going wide.

“Wait, your dad’s in a gang?”

Dad was done spectating, and he stepped forward with a glare. “I run the Reapers, you little shit. Stop looking at her like that.”

Raymond sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Sorry. She’s hot.”

I took Dad’s wrist, tugging him along the hallways towards the bedroom before he could throw his fist at Raymond’s face, and I wasn’t surprised to find Stan and some girl asleep naked in bed. She was his usual, and she could have him.

I grabbed a bag and started shoving my stuff in it, the girl waking up with a shriek. “Hey!”

I didn’t bother glancing over my shoulder, continuing to pack things. “Sorry, don’t mind me.”

“I’m naked!”

“You usually are,” I muttered, making Dad frown. I knew he’d question me on it later, but he wouldn’t in front of company.

Stanley rolled over, fury filling his eyes until he noticed Dad lingering by the door. “Uh, hey, Luna. I was wondering if you were coming over today.”

I turned, crossing my arms and raising an eyebrow, giving him some attitude. “I just came to get my stuff.”

He seemed to remember the girl beside him, panic filling his eyes. “Shit, I…”

“It’s okay. We broke up, Stan. You can sleep with whoever you want.” I shrugged, knowing he was staring at my neck where Riley had branded me with a hickey. I could tell he wanted to demand answers, but he wasn’t stupid enough to fight with me in front of Dad.

He didn’t say anything else as I handed the bag to Dad before making sure I got everything else from the bathroom on my way out.

Dad took everything out to the car while I grabbed some loose items from the kitchen, and I jumped when I turned to find Raymond directly behind me. “Jesus. You scared me.”