Page 227 of Toxic Kiss

I look at Haven and point a finger at my bandmates as they file inside.

“Nice to see you too, jerk face,” Ledger mumbles.

They come to a stop, all lined up with arms crossed like a jury waiting to deliver their verdict.

“I did,” Haven responds casually.

My jaw clenches.

“Why?”

“I don’t think he’s happy to see us,” Vex says, and I shoot him a glare.

“Because it’s time, Cy. You need to talk to them. They aren’t just your band. They are your best friends, practically family, and I dare say closer than your own mother. It’s time to be honest with people who have your back. These guys have stood by you for years. That means something. It’s special.”

Fuck my life.

Opening up is the last fucking thing I want to do right now. But I get it.

Haven smiles a devious little grin.

“Weren’t you curious why the delivery guy brought eight pizzas? Did you think I was just really hungry?”

Now that she mentions it, it was weird. Haven rises from the couch and stretches as she waves and smiles at Vex, Eren, Ash, and Ledger.

“Pizza, wings, and beer are in the kitchen. Head on in.”

“Sweet,” Eren says. “Did you get one with the pineapple and anchovies I asked for?” Haven nods, and Eren beams at her. “Knew I loved you.”

My lips press together in a hard line.

“Dude, why do you have to be disgusting?” Ash shakes his head and wraps his arm around Eren’s shoulders. “Pineapple is bad enough, but why the anchovies? That’s just fucking criminal. The crust is giving you the finger.”

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” Eren argues, walking to the kitchen with the others.

I turn back just as Haven walks away.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“To my room.”

“You’re leaving?”

Haven crosses the floor, grabs my hand, and kisses my knuckles.

“Yes. You need to tell them everything that’s happening and what you’ve been hiding. You don’t need me here to do it.”

“What if Stevens calls?”

“Then come get me.”

Haven rises on her toes and kisses my cheek. She always has an answer for everything.

“You’ve got this.”

With a wink, she wanders down the long hall and disappears. Shit. I’m not prepared for this moment.

The guys are laughing and stuffing their faces when I walk into the kitchen. Ledger pushes a box toward me with a smile.