Page 24 of Poly

I feel Nolan’s hand clamp down on my shoulder, and that’s when I realize I just said all that aloud.

Shit.

I was thinking it, but I hadn’t planned to say it. Not really.

Zoey hurries up to us wearing a grim expression, so I know she heard at least some of what I said. “Come on,” she says to me. “Help me carry the boxes inside.” She grabs an armful of supplies from the back of the truck and heads toward the door.

Caine leads Lucas by the hand up the driveway. I don’t know if that means he’s being a supportive boyfriend, or he’s naturally the Top between them, or what. I guess it doesn’t really matter either way. I like the kid and think he’s a good egg. Not many kids would be this brave.

Lucas looks like he’s going to avoid Mary entirely, but she speaks again. “I’m sorry, Lucas. I really am.”

Lucas pauses, Caine waiting with him and still holding his hand. “He hit my mom,” Lucas tells her. “That’s why she divorced him, in addition to him cheating on her. And I know he hit at least one of his previous girlfriends. I was home when that happened. Plus, he’s cheating on you with a woman, Carol, who started working at one of the offices in his building last month. She’s not the first one he’s cheated on you with. Check his phone records. You’ll see all the texts and calls, I’m sure. He’s too stupid to use something like Signal to hide his activity.”

My eyes widen as Lucas continues on into the house. I stare after him and then look at Nolan to confirm Ijustheard that.

He looks wide-eyed, too, so I guess so.

Fuuuuck.

Mary stands with her arms crossed in front of her, like she’s hugging herself. She looks close to tears.

Me and Nolan grab boxes and other supplies and follow the kids and Zoey inside, leaving Mary standing there by herself.

“Damn,” Nolan mutters just loudly enough only I can hear him. “That was stone-fucking-cold.”

“Can you blame him?”

“Nope,” Nolan says. “Not one damn bit.”