Page 5 of Strange Seduction (Strange #2)

Jayda answered first. “Yes, bitch. We’re all bitching and moaning about not getting any dick.”

Mantis smirked. “Tuh. Can’t relate. I just got some like twenty minutes ago.”

A chorus of booing and moaning erupted from the rest of us.

“Fuck you and your consistent dick schedule.”

“I hope I’ll be joining you in Fuck City soon.” I grinned just thinking about it. “Right after I shower, and plan an outfit for dinner.”

Izzy pointed at me dramatically. “Good luck. We’re living vicariously through you now.”

Alyssa deadpanned. “I’m not.”

With one last giggle, the call ended—screens going black one by one until I was alone again. The silence hit a little harder this time.

I lay there a few moments longer, letting the post-laughter buzz settle before the stillness crept back in. My chest ached. Not in a broken heart kind of way—but in that numb, low-key disappointment that comes when expectations aren’t met.

This wasn’t the reunion I pictured.

I thought he’d sweep me into his arms the moment we stepped through the door. That he’d kiss me longer and we’d talk for hours.

Touch. Laugh. Fuck. Something.

Instead, he left for work. And maybe that made sense.

Maybe we’d both gotten so used to functioning separately that now, in the same space, we didn’t know what to do with each other.

Still, it was only the first day. We would find each other again.

I stood up, walked across the marble floors, and made a beeline for the bathroom. It was gorgeous, displaying a marble double vanity I planned to make full use of.

The shower had a floor-to-ceiling view of the city, and I loved how everything just felt open and freeing.

I turned the nob, stripped, and stepped in.

The spray of the shower calmed my nerves, but my chest wouldn’t settle. Something had been nagging at me since the elevator, and I didn’t want to discuss it in front of the girls.

The sky had turned into a dusty gradient of orange by the time I had gotten out. Hesitantly, I scrolled through my contacts and tapped Alyssa’s name.

She answered on the third ring, her face popping up with a glare and a bonnet askew. I could tell she was going to bed.

She squinted at my background. “Please tell me you’re not calling from Shower Head City.”

I blinked. “Girl, no! I was calling about Theo.”

She squinted. “Mmm-hmm.”

“I’m serious.”

She sat up then. “What’s up?”

“How’s he and your mom doing?” I rushed out. “I know they were going through a rough patch.”

“Tuh. Rough is an understatement.”

My stomach dropped. “What? Theo said they were better.”

Alyssa rolled her eyes so hard it could’ve been a seizure. “Ha! They can barely have a conversation without arguing.”

“Arguing?” I straightened. “About what?”

“You.” She said it flat, as if I should have known.

My bottom lip quivered slightly, and I couldn’t tell if it was the chill of the AC or my soul leaving my body.

“I mean… I know that.” I admitted more to myself than Alyssa. “But I’m sure there’s something else—”

“Carmen,” she cut in, holding up a hand. “Let me re-enact their last interaction for you. You ready?”

I braced myself. “Oh. Um. Okay?”

Alyssa cleared her throat, put on a theatrical frown, and changed her voice into a nasal, high-drama tone.

“ Theo! I need eight hundred thousand dollars to refurnish the living room. ”

Then, she dropped her voice into something firmer. “ Absolutely not. That house was remodeled a year ago. ”

Alyssa’s eyes widened dramatically. “ Unbelievable. I bet if it was that gold-digging bitch asking, you’d give her the money! ”

I flinched.

She dropped her voice again. “ What did you just call her? ”

And back to high voice, “ You heard me! Always putting your favorite whore ahead of your family. Just like your father! ”

Alyssa let out a sharp breath and threw her hand up. “And then they went on and on. That was a month ago.”

I stared at her. “Wow.”

“Exactly.”

“Why didn’t he tell me?”

Alyssa tilted her head. “Because he doesn’t want you to worry about it.”

“And why didn’t you tell me?”

“He paid me to keep quiet.” She shrugged. “But the funds are done, and so is my silence.”

“Right.” I dragged a hand through my hair and leaned on the railing, my phone slightly shaking in my hand.

It hit me harder than I expected.

I’d always known his mother didn’t like me. That was nothing new. But hearing it like this, hearing that she was still coming for him because of me—because he chose me—was different.

I was the reason they were on bad terms. Maybe I made things worse just by being here.

The more I tried to shake the thought, the more it clung to me. I bit the inside of my cheek, willing myself not to spiral.

Alyssa’s face softened. “Carmen, babe. Don’t think too much about it. And don’t blame yourself. They’ve always had a crazy relationship. You’re just her excuse now that Kass isn’t around to pick at.”

I let out a shaky sigh. “I know. I just… I wish he told me.”

“Talk to him.”

“I will. Thanks for telling me.” I paused. “You want me to keep this between us? I’m sure I can come up with an excuse on how I found out.”

Alyssa gave me a screwed up face. “Girl, I ain’t scared of Delancy. You can tell him I said it.”

I laughed, the knot in my chest loosening just a little. “Goodnight, Alyssa.”

I hung up, staring out at the last bit of daylight slipping under the clouds, wondering how much more Theo was keeping to himself—and how long I’d have to wait before he let me all the way in.