Alpha's Castle - Ella Goode Page 0,25

tripped on a cracked tile and fell,” yells Bonnie. “There was no police violence here!”

“Did Dane punch someone?” says a woman sounding suspiciously like Connie.

“Let me see.”

There’s some shoving and all of a sudden Tina’s and Connie’s faces appear next to Khloe’s on the screen.

“Uh…” I’m at a loss for words.

Bonnie cackles. “Told you there were women at your place.”

“Is that your ex, Khloe?” asks Tina.

“Yeah.”

“Hit him for me,” yells Connie. “That bastard slept with her mom.”

“Her mom?” echoes Bonnie.

“Please don’t broadcast that everywhere,” Khloe groans.

“Honey, it’s not a reflection on you,” Tina says. “It shows what a bastard your ex is and what a bitch your mom is.”

“Yeah, this isn’t your fault. Would you tell an abused person they were at fault? No. It’s the abuser who’s in the wrong. You’re the victim,” Connie declares.

“She’s not the victim,” cries Derrick. “She wouldn’t ever put out and her mom came on to me. I was the victim.” He pounds his chest. “Me. It was me.”

I shut him up with another fist to his mouth. His head flops back onto the tile with a thud.

“Wow. It’s really fucked up in your office, Chief. Can’t believe a piece of tile flew up and struck that guy right in the mouth.” Connie shakes her head.

Tina clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “I’m going to call City Council tomorrow and ask that they allocate some funds for renovation. The police station is a danger in its present state. Bye now.”

They hang up on me. I run a hand through my hair. I’m glad Khloe is making friends with my people, but the three of them are a handful. Over my shoulder I hear Bonnie gasping for air.

“Sorry,” she says, waving a hand in front of her face. “Just knowing that you have to go home to those three and your mom is making my day.”

“So glad I could be of service,” I reply sourly.

“Working for you is a treat, Chief. A real treat. Should I call the EMTs?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

18

Khloe

“He slept with your mom?”

I groan, falling back onto the sofa at Tina’s question. What is he even doing here?! I’d left my house this afternoon so this wouldn't happen. Of course Derrick showed up at the police station and walked right into Dane’s fist. I never said he was the brightest bulb in the bunch.

“Yes, he slept with my mom.” I let out a long sigh.

“Who slept with your mom?” I look over to the door to see Dane’s mom is standing there. Could this get any more embarrassing? Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong I still feel embarrassed.

“Her ex,” Connie fills her in. Tina makes a face of disgust. I wish a hole would open up in the floor and swallow me. Then again, Dane’s place is uber nice, and it would be a shame to have a giant hole in the floor of the living room.

“Dane punched him,” Tina adds. Great. Now Dane’s mom is going to think I’m drama. Or that it follows me wherever I go.

“No, he tripped,” Connie corrects her.

“Right. Tripped.” Thea makes air quotes. I wonder what kind of crap my ex said to Dane. He left some nasty messages on my phone when I wouldn’t call him back. He acts like I was the one who cheated. God, I hope my mom doesn’t show up next. But with the way my luck is going, it wouldn’t surprise me.

“Can you girls get the groceries out of my car for me?” Thea asks Tina and Connie. They nod, heading out the front door. Thea comes over to sit down next to me.

“You all right, sugar?”

“I’m fine. It’s just embarrassing.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. If anyone should be embarrassed it’s him. He let you get away, but I’m guessing he’s seeing he messed up big time and that’s why he’s here.”

That’s never going to happen. Truth is, even before I busted him sleeping with my mom I was ready to call it quits. Sleeping with my mom was just the icing on the cake. I had been relieved in a way.

“I’m more embarrassed about my mom,” I admit. Thea takes my hand.

“I’m sorry you got a mom like her.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “You stick around and I’ll take care of you.” A knot lodges in my throat. I’m an adult, but it would be nice to have someone to lean on sometimes or talk to about girl crap. She’s been so sweet