He cheated i chose two firefighters novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

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My pulse tripped. “How long would someone… stay in that role?”

“Depends.” Lena shrugged. “Some do it for scenes only. Some build a lifestyle. Me and

Arden–like I said–24/7 right now.”

Then her tone snapped back to business. “But you came here to learn how to protect

yourself. Let’s do that.”

For the next two hours, she worked me hard. Defensive techniques first–how to break

grips, how to move, how to use leverage. Then she shifted into offense–where to strike,

how to create distance, how to get away.

She knew her shit.

At some point she mentioned she’d retired from the Marines after twenty–two years. I thanked her for her service, and she accepted it with a calm humility that made me like her even more. Summer had sent me to the right person.

I went home fast, showered, and changed into sleep shorts and a tank. Then I FaceTimed

Natalie.

“Hey!” she squealed the second she picked up. “How have you been? Damn–look at you.

You look good. Like… happy.”

“I am,” I said, and meant it. “Nat, I have so much to tell

you.‘

”

I told her about Summer and Maisie and Gavin. I told her about the clubs–everything I’d tried, everything I’d learned. I even confessed about that one time at the gym with Milo.

Natalie’s jaw dropped more than once.

“Oh my God,” she said, practically vibrating through the screen. “Look at you actually finding yourself. I’m proud of you. And I’m extra proud you’re not sitting around grieving

that asshole.”

“I honestly haven’t been,” I admitted. “It’s like… out of sight, out of mind.”

But the second she’d said it, a knot formed anyway.

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“Have you heard from him?” I asked, hating myself for it. “Are they together?” Why did I

care?

“He calls me once a week,” she said. “Begging me to tell him where you are. I haven’t. I

wouldn’t.”

I exhaled.

“He swears it was only the one time,” she went on, “and he says it was a setup. He also told

me she tried to kill herself.”

My eyes widened. “Holy shit. Seriously?”

“Yeah. He said he cut her off completely. Then she told her little girl that he didn’t want anything to do with her, so the kid went to your place to ask why.” Natalie’s expression soured. “He took the kid home so he could confront the mom, and he said he found her in

the bathroom–wrists slit.”

“Convenient,” I muttered. “That he got there in time.”

“That’s what I said,” Natalie agreed. “He even told me the doctor said she cut the wrong

way. I think it was attention–seeking.”

“Sounds about right.”

“He told me he’s in counseling,” Natalie added. “Working on his issues. And he says he’s not giving up on you–once he ‘fixes himself,‘ he’s going to find you and prove how much he loves you.”

I felt my face go cold. “Good luck with that. I’m not going back to him, Nat. Ever. The way he hurt me…” My voice tightened. “Promises don’t mean anything if you can break them that easily. I can’t forget what he said to me.”

“I know, sweetie,” she said softly.

I swallowed and forced myself to shift. “Can we talk about something else? I learned a new word today. Do you know what kinks are?”

Natalie snorted. “Yes. Some of us aren’t as innocent as you.”

I stuck my tongue out, and she laughed.

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<Chapter 22

“Do you have any?” I asked.

She smiled and nodded like it was nothing.

“Are you going to tell me?”

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“That’s the funny part,” she said. “Being told. Being shared. I like being between two guys- four hands, two mouths, two tongues. One in my mouth, and… you know. Pussy or ass.”

Heat crawled up my neck. The picture she painted hit way harder than it should have.

“I’ve never done anything like that,” I confessed. “But it sounds… kind of fun.

“If you ever do,” Natalie said, turning serious, “be ready for it. And honestly, the way you’ve

been exploring? You might want to prepare.”

“Prepare how?”

“Get a couple different sizes of anal plugs and some lube,” she said bluntly. “Stretch yourself out a little. You’ll thank me later.”

I laughed, but my stomach flipped because I wasn’t entirely joking when I answered. “Okay.

I’ll do that. Thanks.”

Natalie’s gaze sharpened. “Have you told your parents yet?”

“No,” I admitted. “But I think I need to. I’m just scared of what Papa will do.”

“What can he do?” she asked. “He’s in Spain.”

“You know my dad,” I said. “Distance doesn’t stop him. He knows people.”

“That’s true,” Natalie said dryly. “Start practicing how you’ll beg for your ex’s life.”

“Ugh. I know.”

She softened again. “Call them, Scar. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

When we hung up, I sat there staring at my phone like it was a loaded weapon.

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Then I made the hardest call I’ve ever made.

Papa wasn’t going to be happy.

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