“What account?” Tucker finally asks, as the suspense threatened to kill me.
“Poppy’s account. Apparently, it’s done. Now, why would Sir do that?”
“He wouldn’t. He would have bled Donna dry for every last penny, and found a way to add interest on,” Emmet grounds out, as I nod, having already reached this conclusion myself.
“He didn’t do it, I did.”
My mouth drops open, a quick look at Emmet shows that he’s mirroring my expression, as the three of us, Thallon included, look at the phone.
“Are you serious? You gave Arthur eighty grand, to pay off Poppy’s debt, after what she did to Roz?” Thallon sounds positively murderous, shame it’s directed at one of us.
“I gave it to Arthur so Tiny One wouldn’t have to worry about her mom working herself into an early grave. This had nothing to do with that bitch Poppy, and everything to do with Luna. If you can’t understand that, then maybe you shouldn’t be a part of this.” He sounds calm, but I’d pay good money to bet he’s scowling at the phone.
“I understand, I just lost sight of it for a minute there,” Thallon says quietly, and I can’t even begin to respond.
I can’t believe Tucker did that. He must care for Luna more than he’s said. I suspected it, but he doesn’t show love in the normal way, only to Isabelle. Is this his way of saying that he’s in love with our girl? If not, then that’s some seriously strong lust right there. Should I high five myself?
I get a strange look as I do just that, before flipping them both off, and strolling out of the room. I already know that Emmet plans on claiming Luna’s attention tonight, so it will be me, my bed, and a bottle of Jack. Just because I’m trying to be better doesn’t mean I’m going to become a saint. I need a few vices to keep me sane, and I know Luna won’t think any less of me for them either.
48
One Plus Two Equals Fun
Luna
Why do I feel so hot? I feel like I’ve been packed into a sardine tin or something. I blink open my eyes to see Emmet staring at me, his hand is on my hip, while his other is supporting his head. Then, whose hand is on my thigh? Making my body come alive, and my breaths fall out in uneven patterns.
“Morning, Little Zero.” Sin’s mouth falls down onto my neck, I don’t miss the way Em glares at him, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Why are you both in my bed?” I ask, certain that it was only Em when I fell asleep last night, after he untied me, and rubbed circles into my red wrists.
“Because someone seems to forget that I don’t like to share,” Em says in a clipped voice, and I can’t fight my smile.
“It was your idea, remember?” Sin laughs, as his mouth moves across my shoulder, and a rumble fills Em’s chest.
“Go back to your own room, you’re not welcome here.” He gets up, and disappears into my bathroom, but Sin isn’t even bothering to move.
“Why are you here? Unless it’s solely to antagonize him.”
I moan as he flips me onto my back, straddles my hips, and starts toying with my nipples.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay, after everything I told you about Cole. Plus, I was curious about the gift Emmet got you.” He covers my nipple with his mouth, moving my cami out of the way with his teeth.
I arch my back, trying my hardest to keep quiet. I can’t imagine Emmet would be thrilled to walk in on this. I should stop it, but I can’t bring myself to push him away either.
“It was a laptop,” I moan out, as my fingers thread through his hair, and he scrapes his teeth over my sensitive peak.
“I love it when you moan.” He captures my mouth, and swallows them, before climbing off me.
“I’m okay, you know. I’m not happy, but I don’t think I can allow myself to believe it until you know for sure.”
“I know, Little Zero, and that’s why you’re going to stay away from him until I do. Finals are in a few weeks, so you’re going to keep yourself healthy and uninjured, and have one of us with you at all times. Otherwise, Mett might find a reason to keep you all to himself.” His smile is tinged with sadness, and it feels like a punch to the gut.
Of course, Em would. He’d use any reason he could find to break their agreement. He may have suggested it, but it doesn’t mean he has to like it.
“Fuck off, Aer,” he shouts from the bathroom, and we both laugh before he kisses me long and hard, killing the laughter in an instant.
“I’ll see you later, beautiful. I love you.”
“I love you too.” My heart feels too big for my chest when he looks at me like this, as though I’m at the center of his universe.
I can see how much he loves me in the way he looks at me, and I hope he can see the same.
He walks out, and takes a part of my heart with him. I don’t even realize Em has come back into the room, I’m too busy staring at the place Aer just stood. Damn, I’m turning into a love sick fool.
“You really love him? You didn’t even hesitate when it came to saying it back. How can you be so sure?” He leans against the wall, with his arms folded over his chest and his ankles crossed.
“Of course, I do. I don’t believe in saying it unless I mean it. I haven’t always been this sure, I think you have to fool yourself, go through crushes and puppy love, to find the real deal. Even then, maybe it’s hard to know for sure, but you can’t think with your head.” I move to the edge of the bed, as I tuck my hair behind my ears. “It’s not something you know, it’s what you feel. It doesn’t always feel great, it can hurt, worse than any punch to the face, or burn to the skin. It makes you feel weak and powerful. Sad, but ecstatic. Above all, if you love the right person then no matter what happens, you know that they will always love you. No matter what happens, or where your paths may lead, that love they feel for you will never die. That’s the hardest part to remember, after believing it could actually be ‘real’.” I play with my hands in my lap, as I stare at him.
His gaze bores into me, flaying me alive, before he pushes off the wall and… walks out. Seriously, he just walks out. What the hell, man?
“Em, are you serious right now?” I chase after him, and he hesitates at the door.
“If love makes you weak, then I don’t think I want to feel it. I can’t handle feeling that way, Star, I’m not built for it.” Shutters fall down across his eyes, as a blank mask sets his face perfectly.
“I never said it to hear it back, and I never expected to hear it from any of you. I can handle unrequited love, Em. So thank you for not pretending with me.” I swallow hard, as my eyes sting, but I refuse to cry. Not after what I just said, that would only make a liar out of me.
“You’re welcome.” He doesn’t look back as he walks out, and I can’t help the snort that falls free. Yeah, you’re welcome is so much better than I love you.
I shake it off, before throwing on a pleated skirt, black cami top, and my leather jacket and head down to meet up with Savannah.
I find her in the library, and I am beyond over studying for finals. Not that I will say that to her, she has made this so much easier. She explains it in a way that it actually makes sense, and it’s sticking in my head. It doesn’t mean I don’t still make mistakes, but I’m only human, and she’s got the patience of a saint.