Vex by Addison Moore Read Free Book Online

Should have stuck it out with the one that owns the bowling alley.”
    “I’d rather stick toothpicks in my eyes than saddle myself with him,” I say it mostly to myself.
    “I know you’re ticked about him Frenching you in front of the fam, but the guy was worried sick. You would have thought he was the one with the missing girlfriend.” He dips his head into his cereal and drinks from the side of the bowl.
    Yeah, well, Logan was probably worried about not getting me over to the Counts in time. There’s probably a stipulation that states he gets his balls chopped off at the next ritual if he doesn’t produce me before New Year. It’s no wonder he so suddenly loves me, it saves his ass quite literally. Bastard. 
    “We’re glad to have you back, kiddo,” Tad says, ruffling my hair.
    I push back in amazement. He almost had me fooled. It’s Christmas, all that peppermint and mistletoe makes people say all sorts of stupid things. Plus, my mother was probably withholding her body from him the entire time I was gone, so, of course, he’s glad to have me back—and by the way—eww.
    “Here.” Mom glides a plate with a myriad of grotesque looking leftovers from last night’s dinner at me.
    “No thanks,” I push it back in her direction.
    “It’s not for you. It’s for the baby. I’m doing it, too. You know, to help get my body ready for when it finally happens.” She pans over the twin plate set before her. “You need lots of protein to help that sweet little baby develop.”
    Turkey and gravy with glibbery bits of cranberry dressing smeared over everything does not a Christmas breakfast make.
    “I don’t think I can do this.” I slide it even further down the counter. Just the harsh smell makes me gag.
    She plops a giant orange pill in front of me and sets a cup of milk down.
    “OK, Missy, but you’re not turning this away. Take it.” She’s got that stern look in her eyes. I can tell I’m not getting away with refusing the overgrown vitamin, so I pop it and down the milk just to appease her.
    “And by the way, I’m not pregnant,” I say.
    “Skyla!” She smiles in exasperation. “Let’s not have this conversation again.”
    “No really, I’m not.” The joke is over, it’s gone on far too long. I hate the fact I’m going to have to battle this for the next nine months. She’ll think I’m having one of those barely noticeable pregnancies that cause you to have the baby in the bathroom at prom. “Run upstairs, and grab a pregnancy test. I’ll prove it right now.”
    “No.” She places her hands firm on her hips. “You’ll have a confirmation test at the specialist’s,” she leans in. “Listen, I had a normal period with Mia every single month. The doctor said it was far more common than you think. If that’s what has you thinking you’re in the clear, think again.”
    Oh, God, she’s serious.
    I open my mouth to say something, and it occurs to me she didn’t say anything about her pregnancy with me because we both know darn well that it never happened. Just as I’m about to call her out on it, Mia bursts into the room.
    “Skyla? Some girl named Chloe is here to see you.”

    ***
       

    Friends rarely see friends on Christmas. It’s just that way, unless you live nearby, or your families are close, and neither of those happened to be the case. I speed over to the front door with my mother in tow as though she were just as curious to see what in the world Chloe Bishop would be doing at my door on this, the most holy day of the year.
    “I have a spare gift you can give, in the event she’s making a delivery,” Mom whispers.
    I seriously doubt Chloe picked anything out especially for me, and felt the need to haul it clear across the island Christmas morning. Nope, there’s definitely a misery-inducing trauma waiting on the other side of this visit. Of that I’m sure.
    The pale fog emanates from behind her like a spiritual aura. It testifies to her wickedness, giving the