Page 81 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

“Can we rename it? ‘Shag pad’ doesn’t really do it for me.” I laugh.

“What should we call it, then?” Sutton asks.

“Oh, I don’t know, how about… East’s Sex Den?”

“No! That’s not funny, Kara.”

“Ha, it is, and that’s what it’s going to be called from now on. East’s Sex Den. Enter at your own risk. I think I should warn Zed before he takes you back there tonight!” Kara barely gets the words out from laughing so much.

Daisy stares with a look of disgust. She’ll get used to it. She’ll have to. She’s stuck with us all now. I chuckle to myself.

“So, Daisy, what are your plans? Are you thinking of going to university or anything?”

“I was, but after how I’ve seen South treats you, I don’t think he will let me go anywhere now that he knows I’m his daughter.”

“I wouldn’t be so hard on him. His heart is in the right place, he’s just a bit misguided every once in a while.” I know where she’s coming from, but she has us all looking out for her now. We can help South to adapt as well.

“Hmm, we’ll see. I want to go to a festival in a couple of months. Let’s see if he tries to stop me going.”

“He might just ask for you to go with security. It’s not as bad as you think. Some of the guys are quite hot,” Kara says excitedly.

We all look at her.

“What? I’m engaged, not fucking dead. I have eyes. Plus, I only thought they were hot when North and I were just friends. I don’t think they’re hot now. Well, not all of them.” She laughs, and we join her.

You can always rely on Kara to make you laugh, to lighten up the room. She is so perfect for North. I have been really lucky to have these two girls in my life.

“Hey, are you crying?” Sutton asks.

“No, I just got a little emotional. Just thinking how lucky I am to have you all in my life.”

“You soft sod, you’re stuck with us.” Kara smiles as she smacks my leg. “So, tell us all the details on Zed. What’s he really like? Is he as moody as he looks? I bet he’s a fucking bomb in bed.” Kara laughs.

“Kara, that’s none of your business, and don’t talk like that in front of Daisy,” Sutton scolds her.

“Really, Sutton? Really? You want to keep my mind pure? Then, please, for the love of God, play some music or keep the worshipping down at night, will you?” Daisy groans, and we all burst out laughing as Sutton goes from a nice pale-coffee colour to a deep ruby red.

“Oh, piss off, the lot of ya. And you wait till you’ve got a proper boyfriend. You’ll understand.” Sutton points at Daisy while Kara and I laugh even more.

“Princess, we’re going!” North stands in the doorway as Kara stands and kisses us all goodbye.

“East, are you coming back with me or staying here?” Zed asks from behind North. I jump up and move over to stand beside him. “I’m coming,” I whisper in his ear.

“Fuck off, the pair of you. Do not talk like that in front of me. You’re my little sister, for God’s sake, it’s not fucking right.” North grabs Kara’s hand, and they disappear out the door.

I say my goodbyes to everyone else and head out the door hand in hand with my husband.

Chapter 34

Zed

Thisallfeelsabit surreal. I’m driving back to my makeshift home with a woman. A woman who I like. A woman who apparently likes me, too.

This is the longest time I have ever spent with one woman. The weird thing is, it’s not freaking me out. I am really happy and enjoying myself. That is, until my brother’s name flashes on the screen in the car.

I quickly click decline on the steering wheel. I don’t want to deal with his shit today. I know what he’s going to say, and I’m not having any of it. I’ve sorted out his stalker and death threats. That’s all done and dusted. There is nothing else he needs me for, but I have a sick feeling that he’s gotten himself into more shit and wants me to sort it out for him.

It wouldn’t surprise me at all. He is attached at the hip to that crazy lady, Alicia, so anything could have gone down, but that is not a conversation I am having with him today or tomorrow.

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