Page 17 of Pump Fake

She slammed the bottle onto the counter, eyes narrowing with menace. “I’m the one who’s stuck by you girls, and you’re going to talk to me like that? Get out.” Her arm extended, finger pointing toward the door. “Come back when you can treat me with the respect I deserve.”

I took a deep breath to calm the emotions swirling inside. She was right. Through everything, she had been there for us, just not dealing with it well herself. How she coped was what infuriated me. I couldn’t let go of my complaints. “I’m not here for you, so no. And what the hell are all these new clothes? You have a new car, too, a Jaguar? Where did you get the money for all that?” I eyed the diamonds sparkling at her ears, neck, and wrist, noting that those were new as well.Oh God, she really did clean out Ser’s college fund—and there’s the proof.

Her nose tilted higher, returning her aura to the pretentious millionaire’s wife she used to be. “Your father always provides for me, even when he can’t be by my side.”

She was unbelievable. “What fantasy world are you living in? That makes absolutely no sense. The feds froze all the accounts and took the money away. How are you buying all this? And if you somehow have money, why isn’t that going to Ser’s education?”

“Yeah!” Ser yelled from the couch.

I sucked in a breath and counted slowly in my head to try calming down. I had to tread carefully, or Veronica could kick my sister out, especially if Ser sided with me. And I only thought that because of the unhinged look in her eyes. “I’m just trying to understand what’s going on here, and if there is money, can some of it go toward Ser’s tuition next year?”

Veronica sniffed as if she smelled something foul. “The money is allocated for my use from your father. We didn’t discuss college. I’ve already told Serena”—she leaned unsteadily around me and glared at Ser—“she needs to find a suitable boyfriend and get engaged by the year’s end. Earlier if she can manage it.”

“She’s seventeen.” I deadpanned then rubbed my temples. I couldn’t handle my mom’s delusion, not after last night. “Just… whatever. We can talk about this later. Ser, get dressed. We’re leaving to get coffee.”

Veronica saluted me with her almost-empty wineglass. “Good. Maybe you can help her find someone. Perhaps the Vanderbilt boys. You know the older one, don’t you?”

“Sure, I know Chad.”No way in hell.Chad and Charles were assholes. I wouldn’t subject my sister to either of them. But I could already feel Veronica’s lecture brewing, and I wasn’t up for it. It happened every time I saw her.“Why aren’t you engaged yet? There are plenty of eligible men from our circle”—which was a joke, as those people had ostracized us. She just didn’t see it because she was always drunk.

Ser must’ve known what was coming because she materializedat my side, dressed in jean shorts and a T-shirt, and she tugged on my arm. “Okay, let’s go. Bye, Mom.”

I let her pull me to the door, and once we were through, she sagged against it in the hallway. “What were you thinking? She’s nuts when she’s blotto like that.”

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “I was shocked. Whereisthe money coming from?”

“She doesn’t tell me anything.” Ser started for the stairs, and I followed her. “But the last time she visited Dad, she went on a shopping spree. I think he told her where or how to get her hands on some elusive cash he hid or something.”

“That’s disturbing. And wouldn’t that put a target on her back? Aren’t the feds watching what she does?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Ser slammed her palms against the metal door that led outside.

I hiked my laptop bag higher on my shoulder and studied my sister. Ser had long, toned legs and dark-brown hair that fell an inch from her tiny waist. She had big brown eyes that she got from Dad too. She was stunning, and even at seventeen, she was an inch taller than me.

“Areyou dating anyone?”

The sidewalk was mostly desolate as we turned right and headed toward the coffee shop on the corner. The neighborhood wasn’t bad—unless held to Veronica’s standards. To me, it was quaint, and the barista was a goddess. She made the best drinks, even better than the place on campus.

“Ser?” I realized she’d never answered me.

She spared me an eye roll then fixed her gaze straight ahead. “Are you going to harp on me like Mom?”

“No.” I couldn’t stop my lip from curling in disgust. “I don’t hold value in a guy’s bank account. What’s important is who he is on the inside and how he treats you.” A graphic image of Ares crowding me popped into my head, and I fanned my face,suddenly overheated. Okay, looks and chemistry were up there too. I couldn’t deny it based on my reaction to him and how easily I’d fallen into his bed. Ugh, I was pathetic.But…I pursed my lips, deep in thought. I wouldn’t pass up another opportunity. The guy was amazing. My stress from the night had completely melted away, and his stamina was the stuff of dreams.

“Well, I don’t hold value in a guy romantically.”

“Wait, what?” I glanced at Ser then grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop walking and look at me. “What are you saying? And don’t take my shock as anything negative, because it’s not.”

Another roll of her eyes, and I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing at her dramatic expressions. It was a big deal. I’d had suspicions about her sexuality, but she’d never outright said anything. And her confiding in me was… well, I was honored.

She crossed her arms and jutted a slender hip. “Fine. If you must know, I’m not dating any of Mom’s horrible choices because I’m not interested in guys like that. I like girls.”

I pulled her into a quick hug, and after a second, she wrapped her arms around me.

“Thank you for sharing that with me,” I said.

When I released her, she grinned but rolled her eyes, pink staining her cheeks.

“And my question stands. Are you dating anyone?”

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