Page 59 of Hungry Hearts

He snickers to himself and tucks his phone between his legs. Mine vibrates again.

BAX:Been banging her for a month. But that’s not the kicker.

SEALY:Ry. The fuck? I shared my double-stuffed Oreos with you in preschool and you keep this kind of shit from me?

DOC:That’s cute.

SEALY:I punched Tyler Kaminski in the throat when he picked on you on the playground for having a booger hanging out of your nose. And I got suspended from school for three days.

Another text comes through but not from the group chat.

NORA:Ry-dog. You’ve been holding out on us. Give me all the details. She’s pretty, I’m sure. Probably has a nice flat stomach and no pregnancy veins coloring her legs.

DOC: *added Nora to chat*Sorry about that. Nora’s sitting on my lap reading our texts and was feeling left out.

NORA:Yay! I made the group chat. Thanks, baby.

SEALY:Avery’s gonna cut off my balls if I don’t invite her in now. *added Avery to chat*

I tip my head back against the headrest and let out a groan. My fucking phone vibrates again. Trey chuckles, and he’s not a chuckler.

AVERY:Balls will stay intact *added Ella to chat*. Ella said Trey is driving Ryder to Home Depot for some project he wants to work on.

SEALY:Why would T ask Ry for help with a project? 1. He doesn’t ever ask for help. 2. Ryder doesn’t know shit about building things. Except Legos. He was pretty good at that when we were kids.

ELLA:Aww. You guys are so sweet for including me in the group chat. Tell me what I’ve missed.

AVERY:Ryder is seeing someone. Has been for a month. But Trey left us hanging with more juicy gossip. Know what it’s about?

ELLA:I don’t like to bother him when he’s driving, but he’ll answer if I call him. Hang on.

“Fuck me now. Don’t answer your phone,” I say as soon as Trey’s phone rings through Bluetooth.

“Hey, baby.”

“I take it you’re still driving, which is why you left us hanging?” Ella’s sweet voice fills the cab of the truck.

Trey glances at me and smirks. “The boys already told their wives about Ry?”

“Yeah. We got added to the group chat. Everyone is kind of upset with you for not telling us more.”

“Christ.” I bang my head against the window.

“Oh, hey, Ryder. I’m so proud of you for settling down with a woman,” Ella coos.

“I’m not settling down,” I grumble.

“Bullshit.” Trey snorts. “Then why are you building a castle for her kid?”

“You’re building a castle? And she has a kid? Oh! That’s the sweetest thing ever. I’m tearing up already. Tell me more,” Ella says as my phone vibrates.

ELLA:Ryder’s girlfriend has a kid!

SEALY:ASSHOLE. Call me. NOW!

Nora:OMG. That’s amazing. Now our baby will have a little friend to play with.

“Fuck me, Trey. Why the fuck did you have to send that text to the group?”

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