Page 53 of The Toy Maker

“Isn’t that, like, kink shaming?” Amy asked, although it wasn’t a true question.

I frowned. “What?”

“Well, you just used this poor guy’s foot fetish as a punchline.”

Guilt settled in my chest. I guess I hadn’t thought of it like that.

“Give it a rest, Amy. We both know you’re not any kind of moral authority,” Jade snapped. She had remained remarkably quiet throughout the game, and I wondered if that had to do with her restraining herself from smacking Amy with the thirteen-inch dildo resting on the shelf beside her.

Not that I’d kink shame anyone that was interested in that… recreationally.

Amy rolled her eyes, and somehow, we were already moving on when Kitty walked back into the room.

“Kitty, come play with us!” Wendy pulled Kitty down to where we sat on the ground, probably hoping her presence would force us to keep things friendly. “You’re just in time for Tara’s turn.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Kitty elbowed me, but I was too busy focusing on the devil sitting in front of me. Red horns poked out of Amy’s auburn hair and matched the pointed tail flowing out her backside. She was aptly dressed.

My tongue clicked before I delivered my question, “Amy, who’s the father?”

Amy laughed, confident and not at all ashamed. “I pick dare.”

“Fine.” I folded my hands and placed them inside my lap. “I dare you to tell us who knocked you up.”

Naydine shifted uncomfortably but still spoke up, “It’s the game, Amy.”

Amy’s jaw locked, and homicidal rage flashed through her dark green eyes. “Lucas,” she gritted out.

The other Cherries exchanged wide glances. They didn’t know, apparently. “Sarah’s boyfriend?” one girl exclaimed.

“Ex-boyfriend, if I remember correctly,” Amy quipped.

“You say it as if you didn’t have anything to do with that,” I said.

Amy leaned in so I could smell her bubblegum-laced breath. “Oh, I had everything to do with it,” she sneered.

My eyes narrowed at her. “Why?”

Amy rested her hands back on the floor and made her growing bump more obvious. “He just looked so fine whenever he brought Sarah coffee in the morning. I’m hotter than her. And what can I say?” She shrugged. “He agreed.”

The group of Cherries sucked in a collective gasp. A familiar feeling ran down my spine. It was hot and relentless, urging me to make good use of the plastic pitchfork lying next to her.

“You’re such a bitch,” I growled despite Kitty’s warning grip on my upper arm.

“Maybe.” Amy laid her hands on her bump. “But I’m the one having Lucas’s kid.”

The frustration in my veins boiled over until I had no choice but to lurch at the smirking harpy in front of me.

But before I made contact, someone grabbed me by the waist and carried me from the whole treacherous scene, plus life in prison.

Amy scoffed in the distance as I jerked in the stubborn arms wrapped around me. “Let me go!” I shouted. My feet dangled above the floor as the person moved me away from the crowd.

“Not until you calm down.” Jason’s arms tightened around me as I twisted against him, the heat of his body seeping through my dress, making it impossible to ignore how close we were. “You’re acting like a child,” he said firmly, his breath warm against my ear.

“I am not!” When my feet finally touched the ground, I stumbled backward, putting as much distance between us as I could. My back hit the rough, exposed brick of the wall, and I glared up at him, furious that he’d grabbed me like that, especially in front of the Cherries.

Jason blocked my escape, his broad shoulders cutting off any path I might’ve had to slip away. His expression was calm, and annoyingly composed, considering the limited space between us.

“You don’t know what she did,” I accused, my voice shaking with anger.