Page 130 of Loving the Tormentor

"Really?" I roll my eyes. "That's your issue here?"

"Just try again, and there'll be no issue. Why make a big deal?" he insists, obviously making it a big deal.

"Boyfriend. He's myboyfriend," I tell the girls, which makes them both cackle.

Our short interaction is cut off by a stern voice behind us.

"We don't know if we hate him or not yet, girls. Let's keep an open mind."

Livie hops out of my arms, and I turn around, finally feeling relief in this crazy house.

"Hey, kiddo," Kay says as I fall into her embrace, holding her tight.

Suddenly, I'm just like Lia and Livie, needing reassurance that I'm doing the right thing and everything is going to be okay.

"Long time no see," she chuckles into my hair.

I separate from her and scratch my throat, feeling emotional. I might not have had my mom, but Kay was the mother figure I always needed. Not only that, but the big sister who protected me and told me off when necessary. Mainly, she kept me on the right track when she herself couldn't stay there. The sacrifices are endless.

"Kay, this is Achilles. Achilles, Kayla."

He moves to shake her hand, but she crosses her arms over her chest. Awesome. Everybody hates my boyfriend. Thank God, he doesn't seem to be bothered by it.

"Food’s coming in a few minutes," she announces to the room, her eyes not leaving Achilles. "Let's sit down."

Caden, our birthday boy, and his wife, Billie, are already sitting. I end up across from her, and Achilles sits across from him.

Billie looks as tiny as she always has, but I'm not fooled by her appearance anymore, especially since once a year, I see her destroy someone in a UFC fight on TV.

"If it's any consolation," she says with a knowing smile on her face after she introduced herself to Achilles, "my family hated Cade when they met him. Actually,beforethey met him." She pauses, thinking. "So did I. And Kay and I…" She whistles. "Not pretty."

"Oh yeah?" Achilles asks. "Why's that?"

Caden observes him silently with his piercing green eyes, the same as Kay’s, and I realize I haven't warned Achilles about him. The insanity running through Caden's veins should be announced before every meal.

"Opposite gangs," Billie answers casually as she pours herself water. "And he's a dick. Arrogant. Doesn't take no for an answ?—"

Achilles's smile practically reaches his ears when Caden puts a hand on Billie's shoulder.

"Don't."

Billie turns surprised eyes to her husband. "What? Everybody knows that."

"Don't over share with him," Caden says coldly, his eyes on my boyfriend.

"Caden," I groan, sick of everyone trying to keep Achilles out. "They're just getting to know each other."

"He's collecting information to turn it into a mind-fuck. I know guys like him."

"Right. Because like recognizes like," I throw back.

Billie explodes into a laugh. "You deserved that."

The issue is, Achilles doesn't even blink at the accusations.

"Deny it," I order him as I kick him under the table.

"Why?" he asks, clueless to my demand. "He's right."