“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” My situation comes crashing over me in an all-encompassing downfall. “Shit.”
I have nothing. No job, no money, and now what little I did have, was stolen from me. How am I going to start over with nothing? There’s the job with Cameron, taking over for Layla, but chances are after he breaks my heart he’ll renege on that offer too.
The weight of Jonah’s stare lifts my gaze to his. I self-consciously wipe my mouth. “What?”
“You’ve been here for over an hour.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry.” I start to stand, but don’t have the slightest idea where I’ll go.
“Why haven’t you called Cameron?”
The air grows heavy with tension. I drop back down to my stool. “Oh, um . . .”
“Noticed you called me instead of him.” Jonah’s head tilts, eyes narrow.
Raven’s eyes do the same.
“We, um . . . We broke up.”
“What!” Raven stands up only to have her husband place hands on her shoulders and lower her back down to sitting.
I shake my head. “Don’t freak out; it’s okay.” No, it’s so, so not okay. “It’s for the best.”
Jonah keeps quiet, but his intense glare seems to inspect my every word.
“Pretty sure the guy still has feelings for his ex.” I paint on my most carefree smile. “I’m not mad. We were just hanging out anyway.”
Silence ticks between us.
Raven clears her throat. “You sure?”
“Mm-hmm.” I sniff away the burn of held-back tears.
Her scowl tightens. “You’re exhausted. Let’s get you to bed.” She comes around the counter and grabs my tea. “Come on. I’ll get you settled in with some pj’s in the guest room.”
I look down at my filthy tank and pants. “I need a shower.” I stand and swing my eyes to Jonah. “Thanks. You saved my ass big time.”
“You’re family,” he says, but he doesn’t smile. His jaw ticks, and I get the feeling he’s either thinking about revenge on the guy who did this or a firm talking-to with Cameron. My chest warms from the power of his concern, which only goes to illustrate his point.
We are family.
Raven and me, now Jonah and the baby.
Not the man who’s used me for money since I was old enough to make it. Or the woman who moved across the country in search for the better life she deserved, but apparently didn’t think her only fucking daughter deserved the same. Not the countless men who have come and gone and made promises they never kept.
Jonah and Raven, Blake and Layla, hell even a pissy Mason feels like family.
And Cameron. He and Ryder felt like more once. But not now.
No, I know who I can trust.
##
I lie in Raven and Jonah’s huge guest bedroom, sprawled out like a starfish on the king-sized bed. Staring at the ceiling, I finally feel rested. I have no clue what time it is, but the sun is high, and I have a lot to do today, which includes making this guest bedroom my new temporary residence.
A small knock sounds on the door. “Good morning, you up?”
“Yeah, Rave. Come on in.”
She pushes through the door, and judging by the robe she’s still wearing, I’d say she hasn’t been up long either.
“What time is it?”
She drops down on the bed with me, her head on the pillow next to mine. “Almost eleven.”
I groan and throw my forearm over my eyes. “I haven’t slept in this late since after I stayed up for three days at that Electric Dance Festival.”
“You needed your sleep.” She doesn’t quite sound like her perky self. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep or possibly the pregnancy hormone stuff, but either way my friend is off.
“Same to you.” I roll to my side and prop my head in my hand. “You’re sleeping for two, ya know.”
Her hand goes to her belly, and a tiny grin pulls at her lips as she looks down at the baby. “Don’t need a reminder. Jonah makes it very clear all that I’m doing and not doing for two.” No more smile.
“Uh-oh. What now?”
She shakes her head. “You don’t want to know.”
“I just asked you, pisslicker. Tell me.”
With a groan, she scoots her pregnant body down and flips toward me on her side, mirroring my position. “He won’t let me do anything already, but after last night?” She shakes her head.
“Oh, is this about driving the Nova?”
“Yeah, I mean I conceded that point about the Nova and its safety. I agreed I wouldn’t drive it until after the baby is born. He informed me this morning before he took off that he’d ‘prefer’ I tell Guy I’m done with work until further notice.”
Wow, that’s a bit controlling. It’s like when Cameron ordered my drink and my meal for me last night at The Striphouse. It was torture to sit there like a good little submissive while he took all my choices away from me, but there’s something to be said for man who’ll make the hard calls, risk pissing her off if it means keeping her safe and happy.