My jaw hits the proverbial floor.
“Just promise to give me everything so we can keep her safe, and I’ll pull my head out of my ass soon enough,” Lev finishes.
This response surprises me more than my dad’s sudden caring attitude.
“Finally getting it, are you, Levi?” Sebastian taunts.
“At least he’s not letting past bullshit continue to fuck with the present,” Owen pokes, coming to Lev’s aid.
That causes the smirk to fall right off Seb’s golden face.Yikes.Nothing like a call out.
“Fuck you, O. You know it’s best this way,” Sebastian snaps back.
Owen lifts his tattooed-covered hands in mock surrender, “Whatever you say, Bash. Just remember to take your own advice. Or are you one of those, ‘those who can’t do, teach’ people?”
“Burn,” Wyatt heckles.
Sebastian’s stubble-covered jaw flexes in annoyance. He hates being called on any shit pertaining to Vivian. I can’t say I blame him. Walking in on your girl screwing your dad and then her marrying your former best friend creates a certain level of distrust in a person.
“Enough,” Lev shouts. “We all have shit to figure out, but the important thing is that we do everything to keep Ariah Bradford safe. Which means no one can know she’s a Bradford. Agreed?” he asks
“Agreed,” we all say.
“Now, what the hell are you all planning to do for your first dates?” Wyatt broaches the other elephant in the room.
Collective groans fill the room.
“Fuck this shit,” I murmur, remembering I have to actually spend time with Sam.
I stand, exiting to Wyatt’s cackles following me out the now unsecured door.
24
ARIAH
The doctor’s office is sterile, a mixture of steel and crisp ivory surfaces. The only pop of color comes from the impressionist paintings and plants positioned around the waiting room.
This is not how I envisioned spending my Monday afternoon.
When I told Shay about the ridiculous stipulations that came with being a Selected, her nostrils flared, and a string of curse words flew from her mouth until she calmed and tried to help me see the silver lining. How did she put it, ‘endless buddy fi yuh pum pum.’ The way I burst into laughter once she explained what the hell buddy and pum pum were. ‘Ariah, my girl, I can’t have you walking roun’ here as my bestie and don’t know what it means to siddown pon di buddy. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to quint it.’ When she saw the look of exasperation in my crinkled brows, she bent over, roaring in delight at my utter confusion. ‘It’s cocky, my girl. Dick,’ she finally explained, putting me out of my misery, and then it was my turn to keel over.
I chuckle as the scene replays.
A derisive snort wipes the smile off my face.
All girls selected, myself included, are seated, waiting to be called. Samantha and her clones cluster together, whispering and laughing as they openly glare in my direction.
Their constant tittering about me not deserving to be here is getting so old. I wonder how they’d feel if they knew I was actually an original bloodline? I picture Sam melting like the Wicked Witch as her flying monkeys turn on her.
I snort out a laugh, and their heads all snap in my direction. Rolling my eyes, I prepare for whatever onslaught of hate I’m about to get.
“I don’t know what’s so funny. Unless you’re laughing at the tragedy that is your life,” Meagan says, turning to see if she receives Sam’s approval for her terrible attempt at bullying me. Once she notices Sam’s smirk, she turns back to me and turns her nose up in my direction.
“The only tragedy here is your piss poor attempt at trying to put me in my place. It’s just too bad for you that you’re not even in the same zip code as me,” I reply, cutting my eyes at her.
A door opens and a short woman with graying hair styled in a pixie cut and pink scrubs steps out holding a tablet.
“Okay, ladies, we’re ready for you. We’ll call you back one at a time. Once you receive your implant, you’re free to go,” her mousey voice informs us. “Summer Anderson. You’re up first.”
