Page 130 of Deceptive Games

“You’ll only tear them with your accessories,” Skeeter deadpanned, pointing at each of us individually. “All of us are sleeping with Aurora. I get regular health checks, so I know I’m clean. As much as it’s nice of you to give a shit about Rory, I’m a grown man and not one of your kids, Josie. What I do with her is really none of your business.”

“Until you knock her up and can’t afford to raise your kid. What happens in that situation? You wait for a DNA test and whoever the kid’s father is—” Josie didn’t get to finish.

“Fuck you,” Skeeter snorted, lifting Rory from his lap and placing her in the seat as he stood, apparently done with the conversation.

“Hey,” Caden bit out, but Skeeter glared at him.

“I don’t give a shit if I upset your fucking mom, Holloway. She wants my respect? Then she has to earn it. Making assumptions about me is the wrong way to go about it.”

“Skeeter—” Josie started, but he cut her off again.

“I’m leaving. I have street rat shit to do. It was a mistake to stay for this bullshit,” he snapped before stalking from the room, the front door slamming not long after.

“I’m trying to help all of you,” Josie sighed, but Rory shook her head and stood.

“I know in your world money fixes everything, but talking to us about kids and basically saying Skeeter couldn’t handle his shit is wrong.”

“You barely know that boy. I just want you all to see how serious this situation is. I’m not telling you what to do, but being careful is important. Of course I’d help you if you needed it, but babies are expensive, honey. I don’t want you in that position until you’re ready.”

“Stop panicking. I’m not having fucking kids. If I was though? I wouldn’t be using your money to do it. Don’t insultme,” she huffed, shaking Caden off as she walked past and he reached for her.

Josie blew out a breath as we heard Rory stomp upstairs, Josie’s voice quiet. “I’m worried about all of you. This situation is like roulette.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Caden offered and went to stand to follow Rory, but I stood before he could.

“No offense, but you’ll make it worse. It’s also your mom, so of course you’d defend her. I’ll go and talk to her.”

“Why would you not make it worse too?” he demanded, and Lukas winced.

“Because you’re hot-headed. She’ll get defensive and you’ll snap at her like you always do. Let Jense handle it.”

Caden looked like he wanted to argue, but he scowled and waved a hand in the direction that Rory had gone. “Go then.”

I headed straight up to Rory’s bedroom, knocking and waiting for her to let me in. “Rory? Just me.”

She flung the door open, an irritated look on her face. “Why the fuck?—”

“Josie means well, and this is what it’s like to have a parent who loves you,” I said before she could start ranting too much. “Can I come in?”

She seemed to consider slamming the door in my face for a moment before stepping aside to let me in.

“Skeet’s going to hate me now. How embarrassing,” she muttered, making me snort with amusement.

“If that scares him off, he needs to hand his jacket in.”

“No guy wants the baby talk,” she hissed, shutting the door and crossing her arms.

“I don’t think it’s the baby talk he gave a shit about,” I answered, dropping onto her bed to get comfortable. “Look, you’re not used to having a parent worry. If you were my kid, I’d be worried too. I mean, you’re sleeping with multiple guys, Rory.There’s no shame in that, but I don’t blame her for wanting us to be careful. I think it’s smart if we all get STD checks so we know we’re good, and maybe if we’re all not using condoms, birth control is a topic we really should discuss. We won’t tell you what to do, it’s your body, but there’s a risk without condoms.”

“I used to think people were stupid for not using protection. Now look at me,” she mumbled, her posture relaxing slightly as she dropped her arms by her sides and walked towards me.

“Luke is right, you know? We can wear condoms.”

“I like having nothing between us. Why’d they send you up here, anyway? You’re not even sleeping with me,” she said with a wince, and I reached out to take her hand, tugging her down onto the bed beside me.

“We’ve still messed around. We should’ve all had a proper discussion before sleeping with you anyway,” I replied, nuzzling into her neck and just breathing her in.

I never thought I’d be the type to sniff a girl’s hair and get hard, but everything about her made me fucking hard.