Shattered Dreams (Boys of Bellerose, #3)(70)
Or at least an ending that was a little less fucked than our previous one.
Back then, we’d been just kids fooling around, not really knowing what to do. Already, the threesomes I’d had with the boys of Bellerose were in a whole other realm of amazing. Adult threesomes. I was dying to try out more risqué combinations.
A polite tap on my door grabbed my attention as I toweled my hair dry, and I went to check the peephole. One couldn’t be too cautious.
Vee was there with a frown creasing her pretty face. I opened the door for her and gestured her inside before resecuring the safety latch.
“Is… everything okay?” I asked, waving for her to sit on the bed while I tossed my hair towel aside and hunted for a brush.
Her answering smile was forced. “Uh-huh. Why?”
I quirked one brow. “You seem tense, Vee. Is this about my date with Angelo?” Which would be logical, since they were married.
She wrinkled her nose. “Kind of, but I don’t really want to add to your already overflowing stress, Billie. I just… also don’t want to hide shit from you, because we’re sort of friends now. Aren’t we?”
“Yes, I think so. Whatever it is, I’d rather hear it now than find out later.” But still, angst and unease churned in my belly to the point of cramps. My imagination was already running wild on what she was so reluctant to tell me.
Vee heaved a sigh, running her fingers through her perfect red waves. “Okay, so, I was bored and scrolling the internet, and I found this… blog site. I guess. It’s all about—”
“Ah, let me guess. Dirty Truths?” Relief washed over me.
She nodded, still frowning. “That’s the one. Anyway, someone snapped a pic of you and A heading into the restaurant tonight, and the comments…” She grimaced.
“That bad?” I asked, feeling gross. “I’ve been carefully not looking because it’s easy to guess that Bellerose fans are ripping me to shreds online. The boys seem to think if they don’t tell me, then I’ll stupidly think it’s not happening.”
Vee’s shoulders sagged as she exhaled. “Okay, fuck. Here I was freaking out and thinking you didn’t know. They’re horrible on there, girl. You’re doing the right thing by ignoring it.”
I shrugged. “Nothing said by some internet troll will change how I live my life, so why let it weigh me down? I know me, and I like me. Most days, anyway. Regardless of what the guys’ fans think of our situation, it’s really none of their business. And they have no clue what we’ve all gone through together, either. So when you look at it like that, isn’t it kind of embarrassing for them to form such strong opinions with only a fraction of the information and no context?”
Vee nodded thoughtfully, her fingers rubbing her left forearm where a fresh pink scar remained from her vicious beating. “That is a good way of thinking about it, Billie. You’re smarter than you look.”
I spluttered a laugh. “Ouch. Thanks?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my god, no! I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry!” But her apology dissolved into laughter when she saw I wasn’t actually offended. “Okay, I feel better for telling you that, particularly as you already knew and I was stressing out over nothing.”
“I’m just glad that’s what had you all frowny. For a moment I thought you weren’t okay with me pursuing things with Angel…” I glanced at her from under my lashes, still not totally sure.
Vee’s smile was genuine, though. “Billie, babe. I always knew he’d find his way back to you one day, and I couldn’t be happier. For both of you. A love like that… I’m jealous. As much as I care for Giana, I won’t give up my world for her. Not like A would for you. Now that he’s got you back in his grasp, nothing and no one could keep you apart, I am sure of it. If push comes to shove, he’ll slit his own father’s throat to keep you safe. Second-chance romance just hits differently, don’t you think? So much more intense when you already know how it feels to lose that person.”
Speechless, I just stared at her in total agreement.
“Anyway. I’ll leave you to sleep.” She stood up to hug me, and I returned the gesture. It’d been a long time since I’d had any close girl friends, but Vee was… more. She was starting to feel like family.
“Thanks, Vee,” I finally croaked out when she released me. “It means a lot that you care.”
Her smile was warm as she shrugged. “Of course. You’re a good person, Billie. You deserve good things. And great sex, which I think you’ve got in spades right now.” She flashed me a wink before exiting my bedroom once more, leaving me to bask in our little moment of friendship.
A lot of bad had come out of the last decade, but the good was there as well. The lonely, friendless Billie I’d been when I ran into Rhett in that alley felt like a dream. Or nightmare.
I barely recognized the before Billie now; this new life was so full of love and warmth that it drowned out the darkness. I mean, sure, there was still drama, like with Grayson, but for the most part, I’d found true happiness and contentment with Bellerose.
All that was left was to ensure no one took that away from me. Not ever again.
thirty-one