Chapter Three
Vanessa
I stayed at the fair for another hour before I came to terms with the fact that the three of them had been my only friends for most of my childhood.
A live band was playing, and people were laughing and having fun with their family and friends.
My family was nowhere to be found, and I didn't really know anyone.
I could have put in some effort and tried to find a group to hang out with, but I wasn't feeling it anymore.
Going home and writing sounded way more fun.
The kiss with Zayne had my insides humming, and as I entered the house and rushed up the stairs, all I wanted to do was sit down and write while I felt inspired.
Sitting cross-legged on my bed with my laptop in front of me, I open up the writing program I use and start pouring words onto the page.
After all the shit I went through with the pack back in New York, my writing had stalled.
It was hard to write about romance when you wanted to give up on it.
But now? Ideas formed quickly as I wrote.
A second chance romance with three hot-as-sin men from the heroine's past. Yes, please!
My mind went to that magical place it always did when an idea took hold.
The kiss I shared with Zayne had been a promise of more.
There was heat in his stormy gray eyes when they roamed over my body.
At least in my writing, I could allow myself to live in that fantasy because reality has never been kind to me.
I vaguely hear the door opening and closing downstairs, but I'm so lost in my writing that I don't register my parents coming up the stairs. Not until their words finally filter through my brain and I let out an audible gasp and fly off the bed.
"Your only daughter is right here in her room, and she doesn't need any more trauma!" I scream frantically when I hear my mom moaning. "Please don't do this to me!"
Someone gasps, and I hear the sound of clothes rustling right outside my door. A soft knock before my mom pops her head in. "What are you doing home, Nessie?"
"I came home early after the four of you abandoned me at the fair." I rub at my forehead. "I don't think I'll ever unhear what you just said, Mom."
Raymond pokes his head in next to Mom and grins. "Don't kink shame your mom, sweetie."
"Ah! Dad! Please, just no. Back away from my door so I can get the hell out of here." I grab my phone and wallet. "Please give me space. I can't touch any of you right now."
Raymond snickers, and I don't like the way he's hovering behind Mom, like he has something to hide. I hated the idea of what he could be hiding. "It's just the two of us. George and Spencer are already waiting in the bedroom."
"I so didn't need to know that," I mutter, flying past them in the hall.
"Thanks for understanding, Nessie! Once you start something like this, you have to see it all the way to the finish line."
I gasp. "Don't you dare say another word, Mother! I'm leaving as fast as I can!" I yell over my shoulder as I hurry down the stairs, grabbing Mom's address book on my way out the front door. Lucky for me, she still keeps this worn-out old thing.
I flip through the pages looking for Zayne's number, but it's not in there.
I look for Mason's number and then Silas', but come up empty.
Of-fucking-course, Samantha's number is in there; right where Silas' should be, and I swallow down my nerves and type in her number on my phone.
Holding my breath, I dial the number and wait for her to answer.
Finally, a man answers the phone. "Sup?"
"Hi, Uh… I was looking for Zayne. Or Silas… Even Mason would do. I heard they would be there tonight?" I wince at how stupid I sound, but I'm just grateful it wasn't Samantha who picked up the phone.
"Sure, I'll go find one of them for you. One sec."
"Thanks," I mumble, walking down the path leading back to the festivities.
I was being irrational. My parents having sexy time was not a good reason to flee the house, but there was no fucking way I could stay there knowing they were doing what they were doing.
I just needed to get away for a couple of days. To work.
I almost believe my lies.
"Who is this?" Zayne's rough voice asks over the line.
I blow out a breath. "I want to come tomorrow."
"Vanessa?"
"Did you invite any other girls to the cabin?" Because if they did, I'm definitely not going.
"I'll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning."
"Wait! Did you?"
"Did I what?"
"Invite other girls?"
"No."
"Okay… Thanks."
"See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow." I hang up quickly and shove my phone into my pocket because I was so tempted to call back and tell him I changed my mind. Instant regret was happening. I just agreed to go to a secluded cabin with three men I didn't know anymore, after sorta kissing two of them.
I know I'm using the thing with my parents as an excuse to make me feel better about going. I also know going away with three strangers was weird. But I wanted to go. So I'm going.
It sounded so much cooler when I said it like that. I wanted it, so I did it. Yeah! That sounded way better than saying: I wanted it, denied I wanted it, used my parents as an excuse to get away.
I huff in frustration as I reach the pretzel stand and order two with a side order of deep-fried Oreos.
Time to eat my feelings.
I have no idea how long I would have to wait until it was safe to go home, so I find a bench on the outskirts of the booths. I can also see the second floor of our home from here, so I snuggle into my winter jacket and listen to the live band while enjoying my food.
I was both hoping and fearing my mom would call and let me know when it was safe to come home, but the call never came through.
And since no smoke signals came from the chimney and there was no white flag waving from their bedroom window to let me know they were done, I waited until the band finished their last song and started packing up for the night before heading home.
When I got inside, the place was quiet, and when I passed their bedroom, I could hear multiple people snoring.
I'm exhausted and freezing from being outside in the cold for most of the evening, so I crawl straight into bed and pray I won't have the same dream I always seem to have.
The one where my three boys picked me six years ago and didn't break my heart.