Page 59 of Undone

Buzz, buzz.

My cell vibrates against my thigh, chest tightening reflexively. I do not want to start my day off arguing with Poppy, and she’s the person who texts me the most. Especially since Juliet’s here, sleeping.

I’m relieved when I see the message is from Roman.

Roman: Poppy called me all upset about Juliet going with you

Roman: IDGAF what you do. Just wanted to give you the heads-up that she’s freaking out

King: I know. We had words yesterday

Great. Poppy’s running her mouth to Rome now, and probably Parker too. Not helping the Juliet cause at all, I’m sure.

Roman: I probably shouldn’t ask—and you can tell me to fuck off if you want

Roman: But how serious are you two?

I grip the phone tight, staring down at the words. Not sure what to say, really. From the outside, Juliet and I don’t make any sense at all.

I’m a Montgomery. She’s a Capelli.

Out of context, it looks like we’re just having sex, hooking up out of the blue.

I never told Roman about me and Juliet, the baby.

The only person who knew the truth all those years ago was our mom, and she never breathed a word of it to anyone. Not even Dad.

Instead, I kept it all buried deep inside. Tried to hide from the pain, the ghosts that haunted me ever since Juliet left.

Now that she’s back, all of this is a surprise to my family. I get it, and I should probably explain everything to them.

But it’s too damn painful. Why rehash the past?

King: Serious enough

Roman: That’s vague as hell. Your polite way of telling me to mind my own business?

I frown down at my cell, shoulders creeping up toward my ears. I roll them back down, try to reduce the tension sitting between the blades.

King: No. Not really. Just the truth

Roman: Any chance I can get a gauge on “serious enough”?

Well, hell. I don’t have a great answer to that.

King: She’s my girlfriend. Which makes me sound about 12

Roman: LOL. King has a girlfriend. Y’all exchange promise rings too?

King: STFU. This is exactly why I don’t go spreading my business around

Roman: I know she helped us with the trial and I appreciate that. You at all worried about the Capelli thing?

King: Wish she had a different last name, but it’s out of her control. She’s not like her brothers

Roman: If you like her, that’s good enough for me

King: Thanks. I appreciate that. May need you to back me up with Poppy. She lost her shit on me