11

When I entered the house, I found my mom waiting for me on the couch, her expression anxious. "Mom, are you okay?" I asked, meeting her gaze. She didn't respond right away, just stared at me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. Finally, she spoke. "What were you doing at Ares's house?"

I shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, unsure of how much to reveal. "Mom, we were just hanging out. Ares needed help with some homework, that's all."

Mom's expression hardened as she looked at me, her arms crossed. "Homework? At this hour? Moxie, I know you're a good student, but I find it hard to believe that you were just doing homework. And with Ares of all people?"

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. "Yes, Mom, I know it sounds strange, but it's the truth. We needed to finish it tonight because of the deadline."

She studied me for a moment longer, then sighed, seeming to relent slightly. "Well, alright. But I don't want you spending too much time with Ares. You know how I feel about him."

"I understand, Mom," I said, relieved that she was buying my excuse. "I'll be more careful."

She nodded, still looking worried. "Good. Now go get some rest."

I took a deep breath, trying to push aside the tension that still lingered in the air. "Wait, where is dad?" I asked, hoping to shift the focus away from my encounter with Ares.

Mom hesitated for a moment, her expression softening. "He's out of town on a business trip. He won't be back until next week."

I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. "Oh, I see."

"Thanks, Mom," I said, grateful for her concern. "Goodnight."

She said "Goodnight, Moxie. I love you."

I nodded, heading towards my room once again. As I lay in bed, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at me. Despite my mother's reassurances, I knew that keeping secrets from her was taking its toll. But for now, all I could do was bury my worries and try to get some sleep.

My mind raced with thoughts of Ares and the party. I knew that I had to be careful around him, especially with my mom being so suspicious. But at the same time, I couldn't deny the pull that I felt towards him.

I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable, but my mind wouldn't let me rest. I kept thinking about the way Ares had looked at me, the way he had touched me. I knew that I shouldn't be feeling this way, but I couldn't help it.

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep, my dreams filled with images of Ares and the party. But even in my dreams, I couldn't escape the nagging feeling of guilt that lingered in the back of my mind.

I knew that I was playing with fire by getting involved with Ares. He was dangerous, unpredictable, and my mom didn't approve of him. But at the same time, I couldn't resist the pull that I felt towards him. There was something about him that drew me in, something that made me feel alive in a way that I never had before.

In the quiet solitude of my room, curiosity finally won the battle against fear. I reached for my phone, its sleek surface cool to the touch, and clicked on the messaging app. My heart pounded in my chest as I scrolled to Lucifer's message, a message I had been too scared to open until now. The anticipation was a tangible thing, a knot in my stomach that tightened with each passing second.

As I opened the message, my eyes widened in shock and surprise. The words on the screen were not what I had expected. "Are you up for another date?" Lucifer asked, a question that left me reeling. My mind whirled with confusion and disappointment. He had a girlfriend, so why was he asking me this? The audacity of his request was staggering, and it made me question his integrity.

In that moment, I realized that I valued honesty and loyalty above all else. I decided then and there that I would stick with Ares, a man who was not only single but also treated me with the respect I deserved. The thought of Lucifer's girlfriend filled me with empathy. No one deserved to be deceived in such a manner.

I spent a considerable amount of time contemplating my response. I wanted it to be firm, yet polite, a reflection of my feelings without being overly harsh. After much deliberation, I finally settled on a reply. "I prefer my dates to be single and honest, thanks," I typed, adding a touch of sass to drive my point home.

As I hit send, I felt a strange mix of emotions. There was sadness for the situation, anger at Lucifer's actions, but also relief. I had stood up for what I believed in, and that was something I could be proud of.

As I awaited his response, my phone buzzed almost immediately. A small smile played on my lips as I realized he must have been waiting for my reply, a notion I found rather endearing. His message read, "Well, I can be very honest when I want to be. How about another date just to prove it?"

I couldn't help but giggle at his persistence, my fingers playing with a loose strand of hair as I considered my response. "Hmm, tempting offer," I typed, "but I think I'll pass. Maybe work on that honesty first?" I hit send, a sense of satisfaction washing over me as I stood my ground.

Our conversation continued, his messages filled with charm and wit. "Fair point. I'll work on it. But just so you know, I'm always honest about how intriguing I find you," he wrote. I couldn't suppress a small blush at his words, my heart fluttering in my chest. "Flattery will get you everywhere," I replied, "but I still have my standards. Maybe one day you'll meet them."

His response was quick and playful. "Fair enough. Friends it is. But who knows what the future holds, right?" I found myself grinning at his optimism, my fingers tapping out a reply. "Absolutely, who knows? Stranger things have happened. Looking forward to seeing where our friendship takes us."

Our banter continued, each message filled with anticipation and excitement. "Then let the adventure begin. Who knows, it might even top our 'date'," I wrote, a sense of adventure sparking within me. His response was just as thrilling. "I have a feeling it just might. Friends it is, then. But I warn you, I'm a bit of a devil to have around."

I laughed, my fingers dancing across the screen as I replied. "I think I can handle a little devilish charm. It'll make our friendship more interesting, don't you think?" His response was immediate. "I do not doubt that. Here's to new and interesting friendships."

Raising my phone in a small toast, I typed my final message. "Cheers to that! Looking forward to it, Lucifer." I hit send, a sense of excitement and anticipation filling me.

With a final glance at my phone, I placed it on my nightstand, the soft glow of the screen casting long shadows across my room. The anticipation of our newfound friendship still buzzed in my veins, but the late hour had taken its toll. I stifled a yawn, my eyelids growing heavy as I snuggled deeper into my blankets.

My room was bathed in soft, comforting darkness, the only sound the gentle hum of my fan as it spun lazily overhead. I closed my eyes, my mind replaying the events of the evening. The thrill of our conversation still lingered, a sense of excitement and anticipation that refused to fade.

I rolled onto my side, my head sinking into the softness of my pillow. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions, but as I lay there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.

My heart was torn between two men, each offering something unique and enticing. Ares, with his passionate nature and undeniable allure, had captured my attention from the start. Our connection was undeniable, our chemistry electric. Every moment with him was a thrill, a dance of desire that left me breathless and wanting more.

But there was also Lucifer, a man shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Despite his relationship status, I couldn't deny the pull I felt towards him. He was taken, yes, but there was something about him that called to me, a depth that I longed to explore. I wanted to peel back the layers, to delve deep into his soul and uncover the man beneath the surface.

The decision was not an easy one. On one hand, I had Ares, a man who was my enemy but also my lover. Our connection was intense, our passion burning hotter than the sun, and our sex is so fucking good. But on the other hand, there was Lucifer, a man who intrigued me in ways I couldn't explain. I wanted to know more about him, to understand him in a way that no one else did.

As I lay there, my thoughts swirling in a chaotic dance, I realized that I couldn't make a decision. Not yet, at least. I needed more time, more information. I needed to explore both connections, to delve deeper into the hearts of both men. Only then could I make a decision, one that would determine the course of my future.

The choice was not an easy one, but I knew that I would make the right one. For now, all I could do was wait.

With a final sigh, I let my eyes drift closed, my thoughts slowly fading into the darkness. The world outside my window continued on, but for now, I was content to leave it behind. As sleep claimed me, I couldn't help but smile.