Page 32 of Eternal Pieces

“Is it weird to say I’m used to it? I hardly have the sort of relationship most people approve of, and James sent me the same sort of messages last year.”

“Could it be him?”

“If it is, then it’s not like he can do much else.” He’s in an entirely different city and not allowed to leave the house unless it’s for court hearings. If he were found to be texting me, that wouldn’t help his case, so I can’t see it being him. My gut tells me it’s Aaron.

“Shit,” Sarah whispers loudly as we turn the corner to the parking lot. Aaron is leaning against her car.

“Speak of the devil,” I mutter.

“What do you think he wants?”

“Probably to be a douchebag to my face. Come on, I’m not letting him intimidate us.” I link my arm through Sarah’s and steer her toward her car.

Aaron smirks as he watches us approach. “I thought your brothers would be waiting for you. Looks like they couldn’t be bothered with you today,” he jeers. “I don’t blame them. No one wants to be baby-trapped.”

“Aaron, will you just leave her alone?”

Sarah flips her long auburn hair over her shoulders and steps up to him. He bends down so his nose is almost touching hers. “You’re not hot shit anymore, Sar. Well, you’re still hot. You can come hang out at my place as long as you don’t tell anyone.” He laughs and she shoves him in the chest, but he doesn’t budge. He’s jacked from years of college football. Easily triple the size of her. I gently put my hand on her shoulder and move her away from him.

Aaron swings his attention back to me. “You’re invited as well, slut. I don’t have to worry about wrapping it up with you.”

I wrap my arms protectively around my stomach.

“Jeez, I’m not a monster. I ain’t gonna hit a pregnant woman. Then again, are you pregnant? You’re a big girl and could have gained some extra pounds by consuming something other than dick. Speaking of…” He grabs his crotch. “You’re a hoe who fucks her brothers, I’ve got a whole locker room full of teammates who’d love to get to know you.”

I don’t bother correcting him on the brother part. He’s not going to listen to anything I have to say anyway.

“You’re gross, Aaron. No one would ever want to sleep with you,” Sarah snaps.

“I want to hear what the slut has to say. Sarah and your brothers can’t be here all the time to speak for you.”

“What is your problem with me? I’ve never even spoken to you before now.”

“What the fuck do you think?” he hisses, getting up in my face. “My friend is being called a rapist because of you two. He could go to fucking prison.”

A dark smile tugs the corner of my mouth up, and I step toward Aaron, making him stumble back. “Oh, I get it now,” I say. “You’re scared.”

He narrows his eyes and wets his lips. Is he seriously nervous?

“Mybrotherscan easily find out everything about you, and their father will bring you down just like James. Or they could deal with it themselves. You know what happens to people who think they can hurt me. I’m sure you still want to be able to toss a ball once college is over or have kids if you can find some poor woman to put up with you.”

By the look on Aaron’s face, he’s heard rumors of what happened to his friend. Or maybe he heard firsthand. I’m not sure how open a guy would be about recounting how he was tied naked to a flagpole and had a rope tied around his junk.

“Got anything else to say to me?” I ask smugly.

“No,” he sneers and stalks away.

“Wow. I didn’t expect him to actually cave.” Sarah laughs. “I guess all men are frail when their manhood is on the line.”

I laugh along with her as we get into her car. Her pop playlist starts when she turns the keys, and the mood is immediately lightened.

“You sure you don’t mind dropping me home?” I ask as she pulls out onto the main road.

“Violet. You are five months pregnant. I am not going to leave you hanging around for one of the guys to finish work.Anyway, it means we get to talk wedding plans.” Her eyes sparkle with excitement. “Since I’m your maid of honor, I’ve booked a few things for you—wait, I am your maid of honor, right? You’ve not officially asked me, but I sorta assumed…”

“Yes, of course you are.”

I’m not having bridesmaids, and I didn’t think about asking. I’ve been struggling to keep up with everything with my baby brain.

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