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Seth because he manages to distract me from the nervousness I’ve been feeling.
    Then it happens. A screeching voice interrupts our quiet.
    “Why is that tramp holding my son?” A young, bleach blonde walks into the room. I glance at Cole, and his face has gone hard as a rock. Justin rolls his eyes while Juliana looks pissed, and Seth tenses in my lap. Me? I’m not sure how to react.
    “Don’t call Cole’s girlfriend common names, Trish,” a deep voice commands.
    The owner of the voice walks in, and I’m struck by the fact that I’m looking at Cole in about 20 years. Holy shit! Who knew an older guy could be hot, but Bruce Knight is H.O.T. With his rich, black hair that has that sexy graying at the temples and those eyes much like Cole’s, his muscular build is evident through his button-up shirt. Trish gives him a look of disdain, and I feel uncomfortable and think that, maybe, this isn’t a brilliant idea.
    “I don’t care what title Cole gives his whores these days. She doesn’t need to put her hands on my son,” Trish screams.
    Cole balls his fists up. I whisper to Seth to climb in his brother’s lap. Something tells me that holding Seth will keep Cole from doing something stupid.
    “Um, I don’t know who the fuck you think you are,” I hop off the loveseat and walk towards her, “but I had to put up with my own mother calling me a whore. I’m not leaving an old bitch to trade for a new one. You can take your attitude and shove it up your ass. I’m not, and never will be anyone’s whore, unlike some people in this room.”
    I’m so in her face by this time, I can see the nervous twitch in her cheek. Behind me, Justin snickers, but I don’t dare take my eyes off the bitch in front of me. However, I can still see Bruce from the corner of my eye and he is smirking. Damn if he doesn’t like the fact that I just told off his wife.
    Drew and Pete choose that moment to come into the room.
    Drew stops and looks at my pissed off face and rigid stance in front of Trish. “Is there a problem?” he asks.
    “No, but I think this is a terrible idea. I won’t stay with another abusive bitch.”
    “Where you going to stay then?” he asks, amusement lacing his voice.
    “Fuck, a homeless shelter, or even the streets would be better than with this bitch,” I snap.
    My brother seems to find my words amusing and chuckles at my outburst.
    “Fuck that. If you don’t stay with my dad, you stay with me,” Cole says.
    When his heat washes over my back, my body loses the tense tightness from the confrontation with Trish. His closeness calms me even as the air between us crackles with electricity. Being near him has such a powerful effect on me.
    “I’m not staying with you!” I bite out, frustration in every word. “It’s the worst thing for me to do at this point in my life.”
    “Yes, I know how you feel about it. Makeup your mind, my dad’s or with me. You have no other options.”
    A part of me wants to argue with him. It’s my nature, but I don’t. Instead, I find myself giving in to him.
    “Fine, but keep this bitch away from me.” I nod towards Trish. Laughter comes from the guys in the room. Even Bruce has a slight smile on his face. “Does anyone like the bitch?” I ask bluntly. When I get a bunch of no’s from the guys, I look over at Bruce.
    “I tell the boys all the time to learn from my mistake. Be safe or get stuck with what you don’t want.” He shrugs his shoulders.
    “Damn!” I hiss. “Even your own husband can’t stand you.”
    “You little bitch! You won’t stay in my house!”
    “Actually, it’s my house!” Bruce says in a tone that would scare the dead. “The only reason you’re still here is because my son needs his mother. Otherwise, you would be gone.”
    Wow! His ruthless words make me wonder about the dynamics of their relationship, but one thing that is obvious? Theirs is not a love match. Right now, the only thing that worries me is where I will be living