Page 73 of Choosing Skyler

“Bad behavior, huh? I thought you were a good girl, Sissy?” she teases and I almost choke.

I grab my glass of orange juice to wash down the egg stuck in my throat. Devon’s worried eyes shoot to me, and Brady’s hand goes to my back.

“I’m okay,” I rasp out. “I guess I didn’t chew good enough.”

Brady rubs my back and takes my plate when I push it away.

“You guys hungry? I can make a couple more omelets,” Brady offers.

“Nah, we’re about to head to Chelsea’s and then hit the mall for a bit. We just wanted to check in and see if y’all wanted to come with,” Devon tells him.

Brady looks at me. “What do you think? Do you want to get out of here for a bit or would you rather stay home?”

Iwantto go, but I don’t think I’m ready to walk back in the coffee shop or be around as many people as there will be at the mall. I silently argue with myself that I’ll be fine with Brady and Devon. Before I can look back up to answer them, I’m spun around on the bar stool and wrapped in a bear hug.

“It’s okay, Sweets. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. We can skip the coffee shop and just hit Starbucks in the mall if you want to go. But we understand if you just want to chill at home for a while. There’s no rush. We’ve got you,” Devon tells me, hugging me tight.

I squeeze his waist and sit back. “I think… I want to go… to the mall. I c-can’t go to Chelsea’s,” I stutter. I turn to Brady. “Can we take your car in case I want to come home earlier than Devon and Tracey?”

He pulls me to him. “Of course. I’m so proud of you, Beautiful. You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for,” he says, kissing my forehead.

Tracey jumps up and down excitedly. “Yay! I was hoping you would come, but I didn’t want to make you feel bad if you didn’t. Think we can sneak away from the guys for somegirlshopping?” she asks hopefully.

I know she means girltalkmore than actual shopping, but it’s going to be hard enough to be in public. There’s no way I’m going anywhere without Brady or Devon with me. Devon sees my face and comes to my rescue.

“Nope. This is a group trip. The group stays together. Sorry, Tracey. Your gossip will have to wait.” He laughs, ruffling her hair.

I laugh when she glares at him and decide to throw her a bone.

“I do need to grab a couple of outfits. I lost weight in the hospital and all of my clothes are too big. At least something good came from it.” I shrug. “You can help me in the dressing room, Tray,” I say, winking at her.

I could use some girl-talk myself after last night.

“Yes!” she says, sticking her tongue out at Devon, making us all laugh.

When we stop at a red light, Brady’s hand on my thigh squeezes, drawing my gaze to him before he speaks. “Don’t push it today. If you’re uncomfortable just say the word and we’re out of there. Okay?” he says seriously.

I smile at him. “I have to try. I need to live my life. Iwantto be able to go out and have fun. This is the first step. Just…staywith me, please. I don’t think I’ll be okay if you’re not there,” I say, dropping my gaze.

“I’ll be there. I’ve got you, Beautiful,” he says, grabbing my hand and pulling it up to kiss the back of it.

We meet Devon and Tracey at the Starbucks in the center of the mall. Once we all have our drinks in hand, we make our way to the clothing stores. Tracey helps me choose a few outfits one size and two sizes smaller than my current wardrobe and we head to the dressing rooms with Devon and Brady behind us. We hand our drinks to the guys and turn to follow the attendant to an open fitting room.

Once we’re in the room with the clothes hanging on the hook, I pull my black t-shirt dress over my head and grab a pair of faded denim skinny jeans to try them on. They were on the clearance rack since they have white stars on them, and the fourth of July has passed.

Tracey grins at me. “Okay, spill it, Sky. What…” Her voice trails off, her eyes locked on my…knee? “What the hell isthat?!” she whisper-yells.

I look down, realizing her eyes are locked on the bruise on my inner thigh with visible teeth marks around the outer edge. I feel the blush heat my cheeks and all the way down my chest.

I shrug. “Oh. Um… I guess… I like it kind of rough,” I whisper, biting my lip as I pull the jeans on and button them.

“Damn, girl. That’s… um… surprising.” She giggles.

“Oh, and apparently, I like being called a ‘good girl’ too,” I say, fanning my overheated face.

Tracey’s eyes widen. “That’s why you nearly choked this morning.” When I nod, she shouts, “Oh my God!” before giggling.

I start to join her girly giggles until I hear feet pounding down the hallway and a pounding knock on the door.

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