Chapter 15
APRIL
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us you were getting married,” Mercy snaps, hands on her hips, looking peeved, but I know she’s not actually mad at me.
“We decided the other day. It was completely spur-of-the-moment,” I admit, looking across the room to where Fool is standing with Hazard and his parents.
After the initial shock of seeing everyone, including my dad, and the revelation of what was shared, I met Brian and Elle, who welcomed me into their family with open arms, hugging me close.
“You could’ve texted us,” Kayla mutters. She might not be exactly mad, but there’s no denying she’s upset. Though, I don’t think it’s me she’s upset with.
“I’m sorry, I should have,” I tell her, leaning against her and nudging her with my shoulder. “It’s just been a lot going on, and I didn’t know how, I guess.”
“So, how’s the sex?” Mercy asks blatantly.
I blush and shake my head, and Kayla gasps, shooting a glare at Mercy. “Are you serious right now? You know April better than that.”
It’s not surprising that both my best friends know this about me, but it is at the same time.
I blush and glance over at Fool again, only to find him staring back at me. I smile at him and answer Mercy’s question. “We haven’t done that, but making out with him is amazing.”
“Well, that’s something,” she mumbles, glancing around the room. “There are a lot of hotties in this room, that’s for sure. Who knows, I might just be able to find someone who will play with me.”
“Just don’t get any of Fool’s brothers killed,” I say jokingly as a warning. Twister will kill anyone who touches his daughter. If only he knew the truth about her. She’s not a little flower on a pedestal. Mercy had sex for the first time on prom night at seventeen.
Kayla, on the other hand, has also had sex, and from what she’s told us, it’s only been two guys, both at school.
“So, I’ve got some news to share with you guys,” Kayla announces.
“What’s that?” Mercy asks.
Kayla bites her bottom lip, eyes darting around the room. “I dropped out of school.”
“What?” I gasp. She’d never mentioned any issues at school.
“I don’t want to go into detail about it, but it was for the best.” The way she says it, I know there’s more she’s not telling us. “I haven’t told Mom and Dad yet.”
“What happened?” Mercy presses.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Kayla says firmly. “I just wanted to get the fact that I dropped out off my chest.”
The way she refuses to meet our gaze tells me there’s a whole lot more to the story, but I won’t push her on it.
I’ll just be here for her, as she’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t want it.
I still haven’t told them about Samuel and his friends, but maybe while they’re here, I’ll give them the details.
“How long are you guys staying?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I have to be at school Sunday night,” Mercy answers with a sigh. “Two more weeks of class and I’m done. Then it’s graduation, moving out of the apartment, and going back home. Though, I’d definitely prefer to move away from Franklin. I love being home, but I like being out on my own.”
“I get it,” I agree. It’s nice, but it’s also lonely.
“Maybe I can move out this way without Dad throwing a fit,” Mercy says out loud, though I’m sure she’s thinking it to herself rather than saying it to either of us. She has a habit of doing that a lot.
“Well, if you do move here, we’ll have each other.” I smile.
“Maybe I should too,” Kayla remarks. “Then I won’t have to break the news to the folks. They’re gonna flip. I could just stay here when they go back home. It’s not like I didn’t drive here myself.”
“You’re gonna have to tell them.” I reach for her hand and squeeze it. “But if you want to hide out here, I’m sure we can figure something out.”
“Thanks, I think I might just do that for now. It’ll give me time to figure out what I’m going to do.” Kayla nods and smiles at me.
“Oh boy,” Mercy mumbles, and I look in her direction, following her line of sight, only to get annoyed at what I see.
Venus has her hands on Fool, trying to push herself onto him.
“You realize you’re going to have to make it clear he’s off-limits, right?” Kayla grumbles.
“I’m seeing that,” I huff, starting in my husband’s direction. There’s no missing it; he’s pushed her away, only for her to keep touching him. I know he’s not a man to hit a woman, though it’s clear he’s getting pissed.
He spots me before she does, and his lips tip up ever so slightly.
“Come on, Fool,” Venus purrs, reaching for him again. “You know you don’t want to be married to some fat, shy bitch who can’t give you what I can.”
“This fat, shy bitch can give him exactly what he wants,” I snap, snatching her hair and tossing her back. “Have some respect for yourself.”
“You stupid . . .”
“I wouldn’t call her stupid if I were you,” Mercy snaps.
“She’s smarter than you. It’s one of the reasons Fool picked her,” Kayla adds, the two of them forming a circle around Venus. “You, though, no one wants someone who’s a washed-up skank that throws herself around just to get attention. That’s just pathetic.”
“Sweets,” Fool says, getting my attention. “I think you’ve made yourself known.”
“Nope,” I tell him, shaking my head. “But I will make my point.” Turning back to Venus, I step into her space and hold up my hand. “You see this? It’s my ring Fool gave me. He’s mine. That means I don’t want your nasty cum-bucket self touching him. You do, and I’ll make you regret it.”
“And what are you going to do? Pull my hair? Shove me off him? Please, the moment you turn your back, all I have to do is get on my knees, and he’ll let me suck his cock without complaint,” Venus sneers.
“You might have his ring, but you won’t have all of him.
You never will. When he tires of you, he’ll toss you to the side for me or one of the others, I can promise you that.
We always take care of the guys here and always will. ”
Mercy snorts, and Kayla cackles.
“Do you really believe that?” Mercy asks.
“I think she does,” Kayla answers, not Venus.
I close the space between Venus and me. “Let me educate you on a little something-something. You’re at the bottom of the totem pole.
These guys don’t give two shits about you except to use you for free pussy.
That’s what you give them. You do nothing else unless you’re told.
Me, well, I’ve got more respect for myself.
I know better than to spread myself for every guy around because I know my worth. You don’t.”
Venus snaps and slaps me. I let her do it just so I can prove my point when I pull back my fist, one that JC and Lo taught me to make, and slam it into her nose. Blood splatters from her nose, and she cries out.
“Do you see anyone rushing toward you?” I demand, keeping my voice calm. “No, they’re not. So, I’m telling you now, Venus,” I spit out her name. “Touch my husband again, and I’ll make sure you get more than a bruised, bloody nose.”
”I think you actually broke it.” Mercy giggles.
“You fuckin’ bitch.”
“That’s enough,” Cannon growls, stepping forward. “She gave you plenty of warning. She did everything right. You fucked up and taunted an ol’ lady, Venus. Keep it up, and you’ll be out on your ass.”
Fool comes up behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and his mouth comes to my ear. “Hot as shit when you come out of your shell, sweets.”
I blush and tilt my head back to meet his gaze. “It had to be done. I don’t like seeing women touch you.”
“Yeah, I see that.” He grins, taking my hand in his. “You ready to get out of here? I’ve got one more surprise for you.”
“More surprises?” I blink up at him as he lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. “I think you’ve surprised me enough with this party.”
“Trust me, you’ll like this one.” He chuckles, then drops my hand and tugs me against him. “It’ll be worth dealing with all the people here, including Venus.”
“Then lead the way, my husband,” I tell him, curling around his middle.