The Panty Thief

THE PANTY THIEF NAOMI SPRINGTHORP The Panty Thief Copyright © 2023 Naomi Springthorp Published by Naomi Springthorp All rights reserved Digital Edition eBook ISBN 978-1-949243-53-6 The Panty Thief is a work of fiction and does not in any way advocate irresponsible behavior. This book contains content that is not suitable for readers 17 and under. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors. Any resemblance to actual things, events, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, places, brands, products, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and ownership of any location names or products mentioned in this book. The author received no compensation for any mention of said trademark. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Graphic Designer: Irene Johnson Editor: Katrina Fair For the sister I chose… CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Epilogue Where are they now? Also by Naomi Springthorp Naomi Springthorp Muffin Man Acknowledgments CHAPTER ONE RAYE When did it become a fucking obstacle course to get to my room? I think to myself as I shut the door to my bedroom as silently as an electric car creeping through a parking lot. I went into stealth mode as soon as I pulled in front of the house and found the lights on. It’s 3:30 in the morning and a newborn lives in the house, lights on is not a good sign. I slipped out of my high heels to eliminate clatter before I opened the door of my Audi. I unlocked the front door, entered and closed it behind me softly while holding the knob to avoid a loud click. Holding my crossbody bag with the chain strap close to my body so it won’t rattle, I pad through the kitchen to my side of the house. I gaze across the living room to satisfy my nosey ass and catch a glimpse of my best friend in the whole world, Ashley, walking back and forth in the hallway bouncing baby Mac. Her man, Jonah, is sleeping like a baby, hot as fuck, and not a stress line to be seen. I’m surprised to find him sleeping, he’s usually better than that. I slide into my room undetected, close the door, and change into my oversized Matchbox Twenty concert shirt. All I want to do is sleep. I’ve been awake for over twenty-four hours and should’ve came home when the club closed instead of going to Maddux’s for our own personal after party. I should’ve skipped the club too, but I can never resist an opportunity to sparkle up for the dogs on the dance floor. Unlike some of the other party girls, I’ve learned to arrive late and walk in like the beauty they’ve been waiting for all their lives. They see me for what I am—a perfectly put together thirty-something with the body of a twenty-something and bodacious curves to die for—and flock to me like moths to a flame. What can I say? I shine bright like a diamond. Finally, I slide between my sheets and rest my head on my silk covered pillows. I close my eyes already anticipating sleep. All I can hear is Ashe trying to get Mac to go to sleep. Begging him to go back to sleep. She runs through everything she’s done and I listen, “Mac, please! I changed your diaper. I fed you. I bounced you around. I took you for a drive. I fed you again. Mommy loves you, but I need sleep my little nut.” In response he cries louder. I can’t sleep. I should go help her. She would help me, but I do everything possible to avoid getting knocked up and therefore don’t have to deal with this situation. I couldn’t sleep through the noise of their fornicating activities last night. This has got to stop or I’m going to get bags under my eyes and start looking my age. Damn, she must be tired with both of those boys wanting something all the time. I turn on my soothing sounds app in an attempt to drown out the noise and get some sleep. I gaze around my room, remembering all the good times I’ve had here with Ashe. I’ve only ever lived with my parents or her. It’s like living with family because she’s the sister I chose and I’ve had her in my life since grade school. We’ve had each other’s back since then and no matter what that will never change. We painted this room together and talked the hottie who lives across the street into putting up the shelves around the room, a couple feet below the ceiling for me to put all my knick-knacks and stuffies on together. We’ve always gotten things done one way or another. Though my inner party girl has always been willing to offer more than Ashe, which is kind of funny, but not funny considering the current situation. It’s 4:15am and the house is finally quiet. I take a deep breath and…. I shoot up straight, “Fuck!” An alarm is sounding in the other room and it’s 5am. Suddenly Mac is crying again. This isn’t working anymore. I need my own place. If I don’t get some sleep soon, I’m going to lose my shit. I throw the blankets off of me, pull on some leggings, tie my shirt in a knot in the front, pack a bag, and beeline