Page 23 of Love Starves

The moment she decides to lie is obvious in the way that her eyes drop to the floor. "Sure, I don't mind. It was an accident anyway. I was trying to get a heavy box out of the closet, and it fell on me."

Even knowing the lie is coming, I can't stop my mouth from flopping open. "A box, huh? I've seen a shiner like that once when I watched a guy get punched in the face. Even had a tiny cut like that above his eye and everything."

Memories resurface of catching the guys at the gym and getting a sneak peek of Crue dropping a dude with a punch before the door could be slammed shut. We happened to be leaving at the same time afterward and that's something you never forget. Which is another solid reason I know she's lying.

My words must strike some kind of chord in her, because the act slips for a second before she admits, "Okay, the box was a lie, but itwasan accident, and it won't happen again. He promised. Can we let it go now?"

I don't want tolet it go. I want her to own up to her man being a wife-beating dickhead and tell us that she's planning on doing something about it. Even if thatsomethingis just talking to the police. The only reason I do as she asks is because I've already drawn enough attention to her for bullshit that isn't her fault. It'd be pretty fucked up if I'm the cause of her thinking it is.

Everyone lets the subject drop as they start talking food and get into book-chat mode. I get lost in my thoughts for a bit, trying to think of a way I could help Luci without making it harder on the poor woman. What's crazy to me is that she's a looker for sure and not some ogre that couldn't find another man if she tried. Why be with a fucking pussy who has to make himself feel better by beating down a woman? I'll never understand that shit. It isn't until Penelope makes a comment about the happily ever after of the story that I find myself back in the middle of the conversation again.

With all of the rule breaking going on, this topic hits too close to home for comfort. Especially as I glance across the room to Luci. My guys are twice, if not more, savage than whatever small-dick dude she's got at home. I'd be sporting more than a black eye if one of them punched me. Internally cringing, I know without a doubt there's no chance of that ever happening. Point proven when Crue got pissed and decided to fuck me into a wall instead of yelling or kicking Ryan's ass. Which brings me full circle.

"Seriously, it's more than just being a taboo topic where we live. There's no way a real man would share his woman with one other dude, let alone more than that.Furthermore,what woman in her right mind would put herself at the mercy of that many men?"

Luci drops her eyes to the floor, and I feel like a total bitch again. Surprisingly enough, Imma comes to her rescue before I can make it any worse.

"It's not as bad as you're making it out to be," she says. "I was in a relationship with five men, and it was one of the best moments in my entire life."

Well, that might be the best ever explanation for the tiny human growing inside her body right now if it's true. I can't possibly be the only one skeptical of her admission. It isn't until she starts answering the line of questions being thrown at her like "What was it like?" and "Did you guys tell anyone?" that I find myself believing her.

Just the same, they're not asking therightquestion. "So, what happened? They get jealous of each other and you guys split?"

Seemingly surprised by my curiosity, she retorts, "They never once got jealous. Even Ollie and Evan, who were with each other before I even came into the picture."

Boyfriends, eh? The same question Penelope lobs at her. When she nods, I can't stop the words from spilling from my lips, "If they were so great, why aren't you still with them?

Things can't ever be as easy as they seem. Point proven when she admits the baby is the reason and her guys don't even know. Fucking A, Giovanni would throw a hissy were we in her shoes. Color me shocked if push comes to shove and they don't do the same when they find out.

"Look," she says with more steel in her tone than I've heard from her yet. "I know it sounds bad. I do plan on telling them after it's born. We won't know who the father is until then anyway. They've all got great lives, and there's no reason for me to drop a bomb like this and have them all freaking out when I can just wait and ruin only one of their lives."

"You shouldn't think like that," Luci tells her. "It's not fair to you, for one. They should be supporting you right now so that you aren't having to go at everything alone."

My, oh my. If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. I wonder if she's going to dip her toes into her own advice pool over there.

Jolene doesn't give me the chance to call her out on it as she says, "She isn't alone. She's got us now. Even though, I do think you should definitely tell them when you think you're ready. A father deserves to know his child and vice versa."

For once tonight, I don't get to be the jerk since I'm not the one who makes the pregnant girl cry. Happy tears or not. There's some hostility floating in the air between us, directed my way still, so I'm not sure whether I should try to comfort her or not. If I wasn't the closest one, I'd for sure pass this responsibility torch off on someone else. Lucky me, I am closest. Patting her shoulder gently in a ‘there, there’ motion makes her laugh when she gets a good look at my face. I'm sure my expression is just as confused on how to do this as my hand is. Her chuckle makes my lips pull up in a smile as she settles down. Regardless of her slight breakdown, she adds a bit about not intending to keep the news from them forever. Then Penelope smashes all the awkward walls to bits by asking about the sex. A conversation I purposely keep myself out of. Oddly enough, so does Abilene with a blush starting to creep up her neck. Who would've thought an actress could turn as red as she is?

Mindless of the conversation, I almost miss the point where it turns into Jade bragging about picking next meeting's book and Jolene's recommendation that we read the one Luci chose about some bikers or something. Whatever, as long as we stay away from this multi-partner thing from now on, I'm good with it. I have enough to deal thanks to this stupid book and now knowing there are real relationships out there that make it work.

After a bit, Maisie and Penelope announce they're leaving and say their goodbyes. Normally, I'd be out the door with them, if not first, but not tonight. I hang back until Luci says she's got to go too. Intentionally on my part, we end up near the door together where I hand her a card I fished out of my handbag before standing.

"This is my therapist," I tell her. "He's annoying, but he's good at what he does. Just in case you wanted to talk to someone who wasn't us."

"Thank you," she replies in a hushed tone.

The exchange makes me almost more uncomfortable than comforting Imma did, so I do what I do best. Run. Shrugging, I throw a hand in the air to the rest of the room for my goodbye.

For what it's worth, I don't regret pushing Luci tonight. She's on my mind the entire ride home. I can only hope that she takes someone's advice, even if it's not mine, and goes to see Dr. Geoff. No woman deserves to walk around sporting that humiliation, not to mention the helplessness I'm sure she feels when it happens. I've stood up for things I've felt strongly against before, but for some reason this has touched my soul on a whole new level. I won't even lie and say I wouldn't take satisfaction in sending Kenji or Deklyn over to kick his ass and then have Crue set his ass on fire. Dumbass thinks I haven't noticed his thing with hot flames. Maybe it's a good thing, because I'm pretty sure he'd set the world aflame if I asked him to. So, one tiny-dicked loser would be no issue.

The thought makes me snicker as I'm making my way up the staircase to my room. Stewart justhasto swoop in and ruin my good mood.

"Ms. Blythe," he directs up to me from the bottom of the stairs. "I was directed to inform you that your parents will be in town tonight and require your attendance for dinner."

"Shit," I sigh, making Stewart chuckle under his breath. "Do you know how long they'll be here for?"

"I'm sorry, Ms. They didn't say," he replies chagrined.

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