Page 44 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)

Chapter Forty-Four

RAVEN

A fter heading back to my room to shower and change, I call Mia. As I suspected, she was fully on board for a shopping trip, so we arranged for Leo to pick her up on the way.

I’m excited to spend some time with her, in between school, work, and James, there’s been little time for Mia, and I feel like such a shitty friend. I just have to keep reminding myself that I’ll be done with college in a few months and I’ll be able to—hopefully—see more of her.

We pull up outside Mia’s dorm, and she comes running out, squealing about being able to spend money. Her dad’s in construction, so she’s even more of a pampered princess than I am. Any excuse to spend Carl’s money, and Mia won’t say no. Unfortunately for him, he can never say no either.

“You have no idea how excited I am for this,” she says, getting in the car and leaning over to hug me .

“I often wonder how we ever became friends,” I laugh. “We like the complete opposite things.”

“Didn’t you hear? Opposites attract. I keep you fun and you keep me under control.” She shrugs as if that’s all the explanation that’s needed.

To be fair, she’s not wrong. I don’t think I’d ever leave the safety of my room other than for work or school if it weren’t for her.

Leo pulls up to the parking lot of the mall. Mia and I get out, strolling inside with him following close behind.

Hours later, and my feet are about to fall off. They weren’t lying when they said ‘shop till you drop’ because I’m about ready to. We stopped for lunch before heading back in for another round. I mostly browsed, not finding anything I liked enough to spend James’s money on.

I know he likes to call me his slut and whore during sex—which is totally fine because I’m into it—but spending his money outside of that makes me feel cheap and dirty. Like, I really am just a whore.

“Ooooh, let’s look in here,” Mia calls, rushing off toward a lingerie shop.

Okay, maybe I can buy a little something.

I follow her into the boutique, wandering around and looking at the items on display. I notice a pale green all-in-one lace-up that leaves very little to the imagination.

“Try it on,” Mia encourages, smiling.

“Fine,” I huff. “If I must.” The smirk on my face gives away that I’m joking .

Entering the changing rooms, I begin undressing, leaving my bra and panties on—hygiene. I take a look at myself in the mirror, smiling at the reflection staring back at me. The outfit molds to my curves, accentuating my hips and pushing my boobs to the max. All in all, I look hot.

Feeling a little bit daring, I take my phone out of my bag and snap a picture before sending it to James. I nibble on my bottom lip as I wait for his reply.

James

Buy. It.

You like?

James

More than like. My little slut looks good enough to eat. *devil emoji face*

The curtain being pulled back makes me jump, and I look up to see Mia standing outside the cubicle.

“Wow! You look hot,” she praises, her long brunette hair cascading over her shoulder as she rocks the black two-piece she’s currently got on.

Her words bring a smile to my face. It makes me happy hearing someone compliment me—it’s the people pleaser in me.

“So who’s it for?” she asks as she crosses her arms and gives me a knowing smile.

I blush, looking at anything other than her. “No one. It’s for me.”

“Uh, huh. Pull the other one, Raven, I know you too well.”

I sigh. “James.” I mumble it so low, I’m not sure she hears until she says ,

“Oh, hun.” Placing her hand gently on my arm, she continues, “You need to stop this obsession with him. I want to see you happy.”

I’m not usually one to gloat or overshare, but I know Mia’s worried about me, and it comes from a place of love.

I smile as I say, “Oh, he made me happy, alright, when he was making me come so hard I saw God.”

Mia gapes at me before collecting herself, squinting her eyes, and pointing a finger at me. “You’re not bullshitting me here?”

I laugh, hiding my face behind my hands. “No, I’m not.”

Mia squeals and comes rushing over to me, enveloping me in a hug. “Yes, queen. Check you out getting the hot daddy.” She pulls away, wiping a fake tear from her eye. “My baby’s all grown up. I’m so proud,” she fake sniffles.

I give her a gentle shove, chuckling. “Stop it.”

She sits down on the bench and crosses one leg over the other before leaning her head in her hand. “Out with it. I want all the dirty details.”

“Absolutely not,” I scold. “That’s between me and James.” A smile quirks at the corner of my lip as I add, “But I will say he’s opened my eyes to things I never thought I’d like.”

Mia gives me an exaggerated sigh and huffs. “I’m so jealous. Where can I find a hot daddy?”

I laugh as I start removing the lingerie and get dressed. “Well, it won’t be on those horrific dating sites you keep insisting on using.”

“I know, I know.” A grin forms as she muses, “I wonder if there are daddy dating websites? Is Daddy Drew still married?” she asks with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

“Only you, Mia,” I say with an eye roll. “Come on, it’s getting late. We need to get back.”

“Get back to having hot sex, you mean?” Mia giggles.

I smack my forehead and groan. “I can’t with you. ”

I finish getting dressed, and we head to the till to pay for our purchases.

Mine’s been rung up and paid for, so while I wait for Mia, I wander around the store.

A shadow passes over me, and I look over to see a familiar redhead smiling at me.

If it wasn’t for the evil glint in her eye, I would’ve thought she was being friendly.

“Oh, it’s you again,” she says, with an air of superiority in her voice. The woman runs her hand across items as she stalks toward me. I turn to leave, wanting to get out of here, when she stops me with her words. “He’s just using you, you know.”

I go to take another step, but she carries on. “He’ll always come back to me. He’s only using you because I left him.”

Trying not to let her know she’s gotten to me, I turn to face her. “I don’t know who you’re talking about but have a good day.”

“James Smith,” she sneers.

As she does, I suddenly remember where I’ve seen her before—Nova’s, the night I went for dinner with Mia.

“That’s nice for you, but I don’t know a James Smith,” I lie through my teeth, my hands shaking.

Rule number one about mean girls? Act dumb. They get bored and move on quickly when they don’t get a rise out of you.

“You’re living in his house, are you not?

” she asks with a raised eyebrow, and I know I’ve been caught.

The batshit crazy bitch comes to stand in front of me, looking me up and down.

“He’ll come running back to me, just you wait.

” With that, she flicks her hair and flounces off, leaving me in a state of shock and the lingering smell of her bad perfume.

“Raven,” Mia calls. “You okay?”

I stare after the woman that I still have no clue who is, but is one hundred percent trying to stir shit, mumbling, “Yeah, I’m coming.”