Page 42 of Wicked Nasty

I hesitate before answering truthfully. "Kind of. But she never said no. She... was into it."

"Holy shit, dude.”

I sigh heavily. "I know. And I didn't even realize it was her birthday. Now I feel like a fucking asshole."

Ryan pauses for a moment."You should reach out to X. Sounds like the shit he pulled on Penny."

"Fuck. I'm in trouble with her now," I groan, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to make things right again.

"I know, man. Maybe just stay away?"

"I... I don't want to," I admit, torn between wanting to make things right and wanting Becca again.

She’s such a mind fuck. One minute I can’t stand to be in the same room as her, but the next I want to be so fucking close to her, inside of her as I mark Becca as mine.

We finish smoking the joint, joking about school and talking about our plans for college.

I look down at my phone, silently cursing.

“I gotta head out.”

Ryan grins at me. "Good luck with Becca. She's wild. Just... be safe, that's all."

I laugh nervously. "I will. You too, with Ally."

Ryan winces slightly before forcing a smile. "Uh, yeah."

Shaking my head at his awkwardness, I leave his house and get back into my car, driving home with a mixture of guilt, confusion, and desire swirling inside me.

What am I going to do with Becca?

Thedinnertableisset, but there's an empty seat where Becca should be. My family all turns to look at me as I clear my throat.

"It was Becca's 18th birthday last night.”

My mother gasps in shock. "Oh, my god! We have to do something for her!"

I shake my head, knowing better than anyone that Becca hates her birthday.

"No mom, she doesn't want anything."

Delilah nods in agreement. "Maybe we should talk to her first."

My dad takes a sip of his drink, his face clouded with concern. "I agree. She's been through a lot. Let's ask if we can do something small, like just a cake here at home."

My mom sadly smiles, her eyes filled with compassion. "Okay, I just... my heart breaks for that poor girl. I love my children and could never imagine treating you guys the way Becca's mother has treated her. I want to show her what real motherly love looks like." She looks around the table. "Where is she, anyway?"

I shrug, not wanting to tell them about my tense interaction with Becca earlier. But Delilah jumps in with a sneer on her face. "What did you do to her now?"

Frustration boils inside me as I slam my hands down on the table, pushing my chair back forcefully. "Nothing! Why do you always have to accuse me like that?"

Delilah sits back smugly and smirks at me. "Well, you don't exactly have the best track record with girls."

My dad lets out a heavy sigh, clearly tired of our constant bickering. "That's enough."

I push my plate away, suddenly losing my appetite amidst the tension and accusations at the table. "I'm not hungry anymore."

Without another word, I storm up the steps to my bedroom, feeling a mix of anger and hurt at my sister's words.

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