“Don’t call him that,” I retort, mostly because my heart skips a beat and face flushes as I hear his voice growl, “That’s it, Raven. Now come for Daddy.”

“Cher, listen, this is not at all what you’re thinking. You have no idea—”

“Holy fuck. You lucky bitch. Was he… Oh my God, is he as good as he looks?” I flop back on the bed and want to crawl into a ball. Just saying his name out loud hurts.

“He is, was.” My voice cracks.

“Oh dear.” Cher exhales. “Wait. What happened to Brody?”

I snort. Memories of that night, which seems so long ago, but was only a little over a week ago, run through my head. Jesus, I feel like I’ve aged ten years.

“Brody came over, and while he was sloppily trying to find my clitoris, Jett Powers walked in on us and took over.” I vomit this out so fast, I toss my arm over my eyes. Again, the phone line is quiet.

“He took over in front of Brody?” Cher sounds as horrified as I feel.

“What?” I sit up.

“You said he took over,” she says.

“Oh my God, I meant, he kicked Brody out, then took over. Does it even matter? This is my life,” I yell, completely frustrated. She doesn’t get it. No one can.

“Wow,” she whispers.

“Yes.” I stand and start to pace. “And then we just… kept at it. He’s so controlling, in the best way, and exciting. You have no idea how nasty he is…” I let my voice drift. It seems I’ve rendered Cher speechless, which has to be a first for her. Who knows what she’d do if I told her the rest.

“I just… fucking Daddy Powers. I knew it,” she squeals again. “You lucky bitch.”

“Cher, are you insane? He’s marrying my mother,” I scream into the phone.

“Wait, still?” Again, she sounds shocked, and that hysterical feeling like I might start laughing and never stop is coming.

I clear my voice but can’t help it. I laugh and choke out, “Still.”

Which promptly makes me cry because Cher loves me so much, she can’t imagine that he wouldn’t break it off.

“Okay. Just take a breath and let me think.” She tries to sound calm.

Nodding, I look up at the ceiling.

“So are you still fucking him? And does your mom know?”

“No, and no.” I keep pacing, switching my cell to my other ear. “Or maybe she does. She’s a crazy person, so you never know.” My voice sounds bitter, and I know it. “Why would he be with her, Cher? Why?” I bite the inside of my cheek before I say more.

“Oh, Raven, you’re in love with him,” Cher declares, and my heart burns at her words.

I can’t be. I won’t allow it.