His words don’t bother me.
I’ve known since he first asked me out that he’s just an insecure dickwad. Watching him interact with people elicits a full body cringe every time. He thinks belittling people is cute and believes he’s untouchable because his mommy is the Mayor. So, when I rejected him, he took my verbal ‘no’ as a kick to the nuts.
Stepping to the side so I can see him once more, I shiver instantly. Everything about him, from his personality to his greasy dark hair to his eyes so dark, they look like a blackhole, repulses me to my core.
“Oh, was I not loud enough for you?” he says, the disdain clear in his voice. “I said your shared plaything is a whore. She acts like she’s too good for anyone else, even though you guys have been passing her around your whole lives. She isn’t worth shit.” He spits on the ground and it lands just near the guys feet.
Oh shit. Though his words mean nothing to me—I’ve heard the same sentiments from many rejected men—I know this is going to rile the guys up.
Masculinity is such a fragile thing. I’m good enough for them as a ‘whore who spreads my legs for everyone’ but the minute I turn them down, they act like I’m a leper they wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.
“I suggest you shut your jaw while it’s still intact,” Hale warns, ice lacing his words.
Oooh, territorial Hale. I like.
“Oh yeah? What the fuck are you going to do about it?” Dude’s clearly looking for a fight. It’s like it gives him a high. He has a nasty habit of abusing his mom’s title and there’s no way I’ll let the guys get in trouble for something as stupid as this.
“What am I going to do about it? I’m going to rip your sphincter from your asshole and shove it down your throat, so you choke on your own shit smears,” Ash spits out vehemently.
My hands fly to my mouth as I choke on a giggle.
Well, shit, Ash. Tell me how you really feel.
The twins are standing with clenched fists, looking like they’re moments away from pummeling this asshole's face into the dirty ground.
Justin holds his arms out, cocking a brow at Ash, daring my man to fight him. “Easy to talk. Prove it, tough guy.”
Ash instantly steps forward, not backing down from the challenge. I go to stop the Neanderthal from ruining our damn day but Hale’s arm is already there, shooting out to hold him back.
Despite Justin’s role in provoking, I know that my guys will be the ones in trouble if this gets physical. No freaking way. Time to step in.
I step out further to the side to wave and get Justin’s attention, smiling sweetly at him. When his eyes turn to me, I saunter over to him, swaying my hips seductively. His pupils dilate at the sight of my bouncing breasts.
This will be fun.
Standing right in front of him, my guys behind me, I run my finger down his chest. “If I’m a whore being passed around, then what are you worth, Justin? How long have you been chasing me for? This whore did turn you down three years ago, didn’t she?”
Chuckles sound from behind me and my shoulders relax at the evidence of them calming.
Justin tenses and seethes, “That was before I knew you were worth less than the shit beneath my boots.”
Jutting my chin up, I lock eyes with him. “Oh, so we’re calling it like we see it, huh?” I smirk. “My turn. You’re an insecure bully who flexes his mommy’s power to make up for a dick that’s smaller than a raisin. A real man wouldn’t need to rely on that for protection every time he picks a fight.”
His cheeks stain red and he splutters at the words before finding his tongue. “What you think doesn’t matter, whore. Run along and enjoy their dicks in your loose vagina, if you can even feel anything down there.”
My smirk widens and I pat his chest. “Oh, I’ll enjoy them. Don’t you worry.”
I give him my back and turn to my guys, who look both shocked and amused.
Men say they like a girl with personality. Luckily for them, I have multiple. Keeps them on their toes.
I refuse to let Justin’s words bother me. People have whispered about our relationship since high school. Sure, it used to bother me but all I have to say to them is, thank you for putting the possibility of a poly relationship in my head. Their disdain and whispered words say more about them than us.
Their opinions only matter if we let them and wasting our energy on people like that isn’t on my bucket list. Like Luke always says, opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one.
I grab the first hand in my reach, which happens to be Zedd’s and lead him away from the drama. The rest of the guys follow as I march along, a little skip in my step. We’ve got shit to do and a lake to enjoy.
Once Justin is out of earshot, Zedd squeezes my hand. “I’m proud of you, Lana. It took a lot of maturity and guts to stand up to him in that manner.”
I beam at him before releasing his hand and putting on a confident vibe, dusting off my shoulder. “Why, thank you. I surprise myself constantly.”
A quiet moment settles over the group as we continue towards the lake. I run a few steps ahead as the small forest that surrounds the lake comes into view, the overhanging branches from the large trees swaying in the breeze. The lake is just past the woodlands.
Before I can stray too far from the group, someone latches onto my hand, halting me in my tracks and turning me to face them.
Hale stares back at me, worried. “Lana … you know we would never think of you like that, right?”
I squeeze his hand and nod. “Trust me, I know.”
A sharp jerk on my other hand makes me topple into a hard body. I look up to crystal blue eyes, soft blonde hair and a freckle on the tip of a nose taking up my entire line of sight. I glare at the offending idiot. “Luke! What the hell? Are you trying to rip my arm off? I’m not a fucking doll with detachable body parts.”
He pouts down at me. “Come on, Juicy Fruit! You can’t just hold Hale’s hand. It makes me feel left out!” Groaning at the nickname, I try to pull my hand from his, but he tightens his grip like an anaconda with its prey. “Come on! Sharing is caring!”
I relent. “Fine! But give me a new nickname. I know you have a million ideas in that brain of yours.” I pause for effect before presenting an enticing offer. “I will hold your hand for the rest of the walk if you do.”
His eyes light up. “I want you to hold my hand and skip with me all the way to the lake, like we used to when we were little. Then, and only then, will I change your nickname.”
Deal. Before he can come up with another stipulation, I start skipping, dragging him along with me, making him trip. “Woah, hold your horses, Juic—”
I glare at him and he mimes zipping his lips.
The rest of the guys chuckle at our antics and I swear I hear someone mumble, “I’ll give her something to hold.”
Slightly shocked at the forwardness, but also very intrigued, I yell back at the mystery culprit, I shoot back, “Bring it on! Apparently, my vagina is loose enough to hold five!”
Chapter Five
Luke
Lana skips ahead of me by a step, hand-in-hand, giggling like a schoolgirl as the lake comes into view. I glance over watching as a flush stains her cheeks, her hair bouncing with each step.