I hesitated, but only briefly. I stepped into the strong circle of his arms, burying my face in his chest. This whole thing might blow up in our faces, so I was going to be selfish and take the consolation where I could.

“Want me to buy the newspaper and burn down the building?” he whispered into my hair, and I laughed, a choked, bitter sound.

“Yes.” I very much wanted some old-school revenge on the people who’d so callously decided my life, my reputation, and the reputations of the guys meant nothing. Because why? They were public figures and therefore it was open season? Fuckers. Still, I sighed. “No. You’re too pretty for prison.”

He chuckled softly. “I’m really not.” His words were loaded, and normally I’d chase down the secrets that darkened his tone, but not today. Today, I just wanted to bask in the feel of his hand sliding up and down my back. “It’ll blow over, Nova. Or it won’t. I don’t give a fuck what anyone says. None of us do. It’s going to be okay in the end—you just have to be strong and ignore the toxic shit being spewed by people who don’t know us.”

I knew he was right. Julieta had said much the same thing, but it wasn’t Devan, or River or Rigby being called the most vile things. It wasn’t them being torn apart: their looks, their life choices… everything.

Devan’s phone kept buzzing. He’d check it briefly, then go back to cuddling me and Huey. We were watching Disney movies in the media room, ignoring the world. I finally answered my own texts, of which thirty were from Chloe. I felt slightly guilty that I hadn’t talked to her in ages, and even though we were closer in distance, we hadn’t been talking as much.

I realized belatedly it was because, other than my parents, she’d been the only constant in my life for so long. I’d relied on her so heavily all my life, but now I had the guys, and they were sharing the emotional load of being my friend. Still, her last text said Getting in the car now. You better answer your door, bitch. I had to laugh. It was only from ten minutes ago, so I called her back, turning down the volume on the surround sound.

She answered on the second ring. “Are you okay?” she asked immediately, and I felt guilty about how frantic she sounded.

“I’m fine, Chlo. A little in shock, but I’m okay. You don’t have to come.”