I have to scroll through pages and pages of Preston being so dramatic and Jude and Kane either calling him out or threatening him. That seems to result in him being more dramatic and threatening them back.
Oh, and he talked about me—well, mostly after he burned my bike, to which Kane and Jude said it was a bad idea. It was. Because they’re right. I targeted him even harder after that and got him exactly where I wanted him.
In my arms.
The group chat only gives me bits and pieces. Kane and Jude are clearly overprotective of him. They keep checking whether or not he took his meds. Even late last night, theywere both texting to check in about his whereabouts, and Jude was asking, “What the fuck was that in the parking lot? Answer me, Pres. Are you okay?”
He grumbled for a bit, then told them he was fine and spending the night at his dad’s.
Liar.
Jude and Kane mention the word “spiraling” a lot. Which I suppose he tends to do.
His chat with Jude is mostly about meds, food, training, and general annoying details, considering their cohabitation.
That has to end as soon as possible.
If he needs someone to keep him in check, that will be me,notJude.
And no, I don’t give a fuck about their “besties” status. I don’t like another man babying what’s mine.
That’smyjob.
I scroll to his exchanges with his father, since that’s obviously a wound he refuses to treat.Dad (Aka Daddy Issues)—as Preston saved him—is what I’d expect from the leader of the Armstrong family. Terse, austere, marginally out of his depth with Preston’s over-the-top humor and ironclad deflection methods.
The moment his dad turns serious, which is most of the time, Preston comes up with the most random replies.
Dad
We need to discuss your behavior yesterday.
Or you can have someone handle me
What?
Sure, Dad. Let’s pretend *someone* doesn’t exist. Makes both our lives easier.
Preston. Who is someone?
Right. Right. We’re doing this. Gaslighting King
And another one.
Dad
The Armstrong Gala is in two weeks. Attend. Presentable. Sober.
Define “sober.”
Not injured or drunk.
So that means I can be high on Julian’s drugs or nah?
Then another.
Dad
Why did the trainer say you have bruises again? Are you fighting?
