Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Just a few short strides from the island bar overflowing with booze, Bambi’s two best friends, Slut 1 and Slut 2, turn their nearly naked bodies to face me, instantly gagging at my presence.
“Whoa, there,” Carmen loudly announces, putting a hand up to stop me from walking any further. “Gotta be careful, Presley. There’s a stampede ahead.”
Giggles from those nearby are too loud to be ignored.
And my best friend is too much of an attention whore to not continue to dazzle on the stage presented to her.
“They really should’ve put up animal crossing signs for this thing.”
Bambi either recognizes Carmen’s voice or her trumpeter’s distress signals because she swings around from doing whatever she was doing and drunkenly storms over to me, dragging Ry behind her.
I try not to make eye contact with him.
I try not to let my jealousy over the fact she is holding the hand I was holding just fucking yesterday show.
She stands up dramatically straighter at the same time she bites, “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Making a birthday cake,” I sarcastically state and fold my arms across my chest. “What does it fucking look like, princess?”
She mimics my stance. “Like you need to leave.”
My eyebrows rise in a challenging nature as Linus comes around the corner with two plastic cups in his hand. Frustration and bitterness increase to levels I haven’t felt since the first time I saw them together. “Yeah? Well, who died and made you queen cunt of the party?”
Sounds of amusement from those close to us indicate we have an audience.
It only takes one quick glance to notice it’s growing.
Just like it always does whenever it’s time to feed the masses a show to keep them distracted from what’s really going on between me and my ex.
“Linus doesn’t want you here,” Bambi practically barks.
“Linus,” I sweetly call over my shoulder, eye contact never leaving hers, “does this chipmunk speak for you?”
“Of course not!” He drunkenly laughs. “I speak for me!”
“And you speak so sexy…” the compliment causes Ry’s eyes to noticeably twitch. “Could you please speak now and tell me if you’d like me to leave.” This time I toss him a flirty glance. “Or if you’d like me to stay…”
“Definitely fucking stay.” His tongue steals a taste of his lips. “It’s a fucking party! All people are welcomed here who wanna fucking party!”
The crowd cheers a little at his words while my eyes make the mistake of giving Ry a longer look. He’s standing so close to her that it ties my stomach in knots. And when his arm falls around her shoulder in a protective fashion, fingers resting on top of her mosquito bite tits, all sanity inside me snaps like a goddamn Kit-Kat bar.
“You heard him, Shamu. People are welcomed here. Guess that means you need to leave.” I vindictively smirk at her before cutting my stare to the guy who has her wrapped in his arms. “Collins, next time try to remember, tie her up outside, okay? Maybe even just release her back into the ocean.”
The crowd laughs including Linus, which infuriates her. “You’re just jealous because I’m holding onto the man you couldn't! Obviously, I can do something right.”
Resentment and rage fuse together so fast it nearly knocks me off my feet. “You got me there, 7-11. Thanks to those legs of yours that never close, I highly doubt you’ll ever have to worry about him leaving, just about the STDs you’re sharing.”
The crowd laughs louder.
I feed off of it, wishing I could eat something else.
“Way to help keep Planned Parenthood in business.” Another vindictive smirk appears. “I’m sure they thank you regularly for your service.”
This time when they laugh, she huffs, storms off with her lackeys and Ry, whose eyes look glossed over.
Lost.
Almost empty.
Getting embarrassed by my own behavior, I feel an uncomfortable urge for something to erase the foul taste being so hateful managed to leave behind.
She may be a pain in the ass – literally, my least favorite person next to Nathan and a pathetic excuse for a person – but she didn’t deserve public ridicule from me no matter how much she egged it on.
That’s not my style.
That’s…not me.
All of a sudden, Linus appears directly beside us, smile even more crooked than it previously was. “How about a victory shot, Presley? Gotta say that round of shit has to go to you.”
“Oh…I hadn’t planned on drinking,” I politely deny and give Carmen a look. “But Carmen will absolutely take the shot for me. She’s even more clever than I am.”
“True,” she agrees on a small snicker. “But you know what? Why don’t you go ahead and drink tonight. You deserve it.”
“But-”
“Take the shot, girl. Loosen up a little. Have some fun. I’ll drive us home.”
“But-”
“It’s totally cool,” she continues to insist. “I don’t mind banging Tye sober one little bit.”