Page 81 of Ghost

Ghost: Morning, beautiful. Thinking of you.

I’m not sure how Tempe does it. It’s one thing to live this lifestyle temporarily, but I’m learning that being involved with one of them is different. Ghost may trust me, but there are certain things he’ll never be able to share with me. I’ll never know where he is at all times or if he’s in danger.

Club business.

Part of me wants answers, but I know they keep it between the club members for a reason.

I scroll back through our texts over the last few days and pause on the video clip he sent me.

It’s a recording of him fucking me at the club party. The angle of the camera gets a clear view of my face as I ride him in front of everyone. I watched it at least ten times last night, but after coming twice, I knew nothing was going to take the edge off like he could.

Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I step out into the den.

Reina and Wren are walking outside in bikini tops to soak up the sun, and when I wave, they’re hesitant to wave back.

Things are already changing between me and them. I can’t tell whether it’s because I’m having sex with Ghost or because I’m no longer sleeping in the room the three of us share, but they’ve been slowly cutting me out.

“Hey.” I drop onto the cushion beside Tempe.

Austin is kneeling on the floor, coloring and playing with his cars.

The floor is polished, and the clubhouse is spotless, which means Steel must have put the guys under strict cleaning orders for his family to be crashing here.

“Don’t let those girls get to you.” Tempe frowns, watching Reina and Wren sit outside with Kristen.

“They’re not.” I pretend I’m unaffected. “We’re friends… or we were. I don’t know what we are now, but I’ll be okay.”

“It’s the old-lady effect.” Tempe offers a sympathetic smile.

“But I’m not an old lady.”

“From what I’ve heard, you might as well be. Where did you come from just now, Luna?”

I lace my fingers in my lap. “Ghost’s room. He said I could use it if I wanted space to myself with him gone.”

“Exactly.” She nudges my arm, leaning close to whisper so Austin can’t hear us. “And I heard a little rumor you two had some fun at a party a few nights ago. Verypublicfun.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “I’m not the first one to do that.”

“I’m not judging.” Tempe smirks, and it makes me wonder what sneaky things she and Steel do without anyone knowing about it.

“Anyway, I’m allowed to have fun. And it’s not like I’ve offended any of them. He’s never shown any interest in any of them, so it’s not like I took away one of their options.”

Tempe folds her legs under her on the couch, turning to face me. “It’s not your fault, Luna; it’s just the dynamic. You’re either one of them, or you’re a threat; there’s no in-between. It doesn’t matter if Ghost was interested in them or not; the status has changed. It’s their insecurity. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

“What if they’re not the only ones feeling insecure?” I’m probably pathetic for even asking. “What if I’m just like they are to him, and now that he’s broken his abstinence streak, he’ll get over it and move on? What if this is all just temporary, and I’m being naïve and blind to it?”

“Something tells me that’s not going to happen.” She squeezes my hand. “Ghost sees you, Luna. He likes you. It’s been obvious since the first time I saw you two in thesame room together. Let yourself have this. Let yourself be happy.”

Happy.

My heart rejects the idea immediately. Happiness is what gets people into trouble. It’s what makes you feel secure right before the rug is ripped out from under you. Everyone in my life has discarded me, and I can’t survive Ghost being one of them.

“It will be okay.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “Trust me.”

Venom walks into the room with his sights set on me like he’s on a mission.

I’m used to him being relaxed and flirty with me, so I don’t know how to feel about this other side of him. Venom might be a fuckboy like most of the guys here, but he has a sweet and caring side, and I hate that he’s no longer showing me hints of it, just like Reina and Wren are acting like we aren’t friends anymore.