Page 30 of Claiming Lily

“But what if it ruins their friendship?”

Aspen scoffs. “If they’re willing to risk their friendship with Matt to take care of you, then maybe the friendship wasn’t that solid to begin with.”

I chew on my bottom lip, remembering Cole’s words from days ago. Fuck Matt. The way he said it, so fierce and protective was the same way all three of them looked when I told them Matt kicked me out. Almost like they were my friends too.

“You should go for it,” Callie continues, refilling our glasses again. “Life’s too short to worry about what that dickwad thinks.”

“Which one are you most attracted to?” Aspen asks, curling up like she’s settling in for a good story.

Heat explodes across my face again. “I can’t pick one. That’s the problem.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Then both my friends start smiling again.

“Oh my GOD!” Callie squeals.

“All three?” Aspen asks with a gasp.

“You dirty little minx!” Callie says, waving her hands in front of her eyes as she pretends to cry. “Mommy is so proud.”

I bury my face in my hands, mortified. “This is why I didn’t want to talk about it.”

“Are you kidding?” Callie reaches over and pulls my hands away from my face. “This is the best thing that’s happened to you in years. Those guys are gorgeous; they clearly care about you. They’re the exact opposite of Matt in every possible way.”

“It would serve him right,” Aspen adds with a vindictive grin. “Mr. I’m having people over this weekend so you need to get your stuff deserves to see you happy with three men who actually appreciate you.”

The reminder of Matt’s cruelty has my smile falling. Callie notices immediately.

“What happened?” she demands.

“He wouldn’t give me my furniture.” The words come out shaky with anger. “Said it was his stuff, and he had some woman there and made a big show of kissing her in front of me.” I’m not upset at the girl as much as I am the disrespect.

Both my friends make identical sounds of outrage.

“What a fucking prick,” Aspen snarls.

“I’m going to cut his dick off,” Callie declares, and I actually believe she’d try.

That makes me laugh despite the rage boiling inside of me. “It’s fine. I don’t want anything that reminds me of him anyway.”

“Still.” Callie moves closer, wrapping an arm around me. “He’s a piece of shit.”

“The worst,” Aspen agrees, settling on my other side.

We sit there for a moment. The tears I’ve been holding back all day finally spill over. Not for Matt—I’m done crying over him. But for Mom. For the conversations that will never happen again. For the woman who raised me slipping away piece by piece.

“I visited Mom today,” I whisper.

Instantly, my friends pull me closer, creating a protective circle around me.

“How was she?” Aspen asks gently.

“She thought I was getting ready for prom. Then she got upset, like really mad and wouldn’t calm down until the nurse came.” My voice cracks. “Sometimes she looks at me like I’m a stranger.”

Callie squeezes me. “Oh, Lily. I’m so sorry.”

“I know she can’t help it, but it’s so fucking hard. She’s disappearing. Some days it’s like I’m already mourning someone who’s still alive.”

Aspen rubs circles on my back. “That’s exactly what you’re doing, but it’s okay to grieve that.”