Alicia was fuming inside, but she didn''t dare show it. Instead, she pouted and turned on the charm.


    "Come on, babe, the only reason I don''t like those girls is because I''m scared they''ll steal you from me! I''m sorry, okay? Don''t be mad, please? I''ll watch what I say from now on."


    She punctuated her apology with a quick kiss on Keaton''s cheek, her eyes sparkling flirtatiously.


    Keaton just raised an eyebrow. "Benny can pull off cute, but act too clueless and you''re just being dumb. Maybe try thinking before you talk, yeah?"


    Alicia nodded eagerly. "Got it, I promise!"


    As they strolled down the street toward home, they spotted Elysia slipping into the house next door. Alicia''s eyes widened in surprise.


    "Wait a sec-babe, you live next door to Winona?"


    "Yeah," Keaton shrugged.


    Alicia''s tone turned instantly sour. "Howe you two live so close, huh...?"


    Keaton grinned and teased, “Not as close as you—I mean, you''re right here in my heart."


    Elysia, who''d just stepped inside, rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw her brain. Whatever little soft spot she''d had for Keaton was officially gone. When it came to rtionships, that guy was absolutely hopeless-just look at the girlfriend he''d picked!


    She shut the door, kicked off her sneakers, and padded into the house.


    The living room was empty. Figuring Winona was probably still upstairs sleeping, Elysia left her be. She set a bag of bagels and coffee on the dining table, then tiptoed around, quietly picking up Winona''s clothes from the couch.


    She''d barely started folding when a piercing scream split the air-from next door. It sounded just like Winona.


    Elysia froze. Why the hell would Winona''s voice being from Keaton''s ce?<fn43c7> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find?novel</fn43c7>


    Without even bothering to put her shoes back on, she dashed to the front door and cracked it open, listening hard.


    From the other side of the wall, she heard Keaton shouting, "Are you nuts? Why the hell are you hitting her?!"


    Alicia''s voice was shrill and tearful. "She tried to steal my boyfriend! Of course I hit her! Slut! Homewrecker!"


    Winona yelled, "Are you freaking insane? Keaton, who even is this chick?!"


    Yep, that was definitely Winona. Elysia didn''t hesitate-she ran straight over to


    the neighbor''s house, pounding on the door.


    "Winona, are you in there? Keaton, open up!"


    Keaton cracked the door open, "Elysia, I was just "


    "Move!" Elysia shoved past him and hurried into the guest room.


    Winona was sitting on the bed in her pajamas, clutching her head, blood seeping through her fingers.


    "Winona!" Elysia cried, rushing to her side.


    Winona looked up in surprise. "Elysia? What are you doing here?"


    "Tell youter. Let me see your head."


    "I''m fine. Was just sleeping and then this psycho attacked me out of nowhere!"


    Alicia was still sobbing and shrieking


    in the background. "You''re the psychot You''re sleeping in my. boyfriend''s bed and you have the nerve to act innocent you tramp! You witch!"


    Winona looked like she was about to leap off the bed and throw hands. "Say one more word and see what happens!"


    Elysia ignored Alicia''s ranting and held Winona back, focusing on checking the wound.


    Meanwhile, Alicia turned to Keaton, bawling for backup. Winona


    snapped, "Keaton, you better exin what the hettis going on right now of I swear she''s not walking out of here!"


    Keaton just muttered, "Let''s check your injury first."


    "Screw that! I want answers!"


    But Keaton turned to Elysia instead. "Hospital?"


    Elysia nodded, her face pale. “Call 911. The cut''s deep, it''ll need Get the first aid


    stitche


    Get the first aid kit-stop the bleeding." belongs


    Content


    "Okay, okay!” Keaton said, hurrying off to grab the kit.