Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
How could I have been so stupid?
You would think that after dealing with Dewayne I would have learned my lesson.
Maybe I’m just as stupid as everyone is always accusing me of being.
I don’t know how long I sit there, but eventually I get up. I splash water on my face and dry my eyes. Then, I vow that I will hold my shit together until everyone leaves. I’ll crumble tonight when I’m alone.
I walk back into the living room, trying to pretend I’m not dying inside.
“Gabby, do you still want to rent my apartment out?” I ask her, hoping I don’t sound as fake-cheerful as it sounds to my ears.
“Huh?”
“You mentioned it before. I’m thinking of moving,” I tell her as I turn the corner to face them again.
“Where are you moving to?” Gabby asks, just as the doorbell rings. I ignore Hawk’s heated stare, even though I can feel it. I stare at the door instead, wondering just how much worse today can get. With any luck it’s my parents on the other side, desperate to tell me what a failure I am.
Might as well get it the fuck over with.
“Not sure,” I respond, opening the door. “I’m thinking I might move to Vegas, try my luck there,” I add looking over my shoulder.
“You’re not moving to Vegas.”
My body freezes as I hear Luke’s voice. Slowly I turn around to see him standing in front of me. His eyes are bloodshot and there’s a deep bruise under his eyes, his nose is puffy, but still intact…
Darn it.
23
Grunt
How you can be pissed off at a woman and fucking glad to see her, all at the same time, is beyond me. She looks good, even with her eyes swollen. She’s been crying. I hate that, but fuck, I’m taking that as an encouraging sign that she cares.
She didn’t break my nose. Maybe that’s a sign that she likes me after all. Because suddenly, I’m firmly convinced that she could have if she wanted to.
“What are you doing here?” she says, her voice thick with anger, that is in direct contrast to the paleness of her skin.
“I came to take you home,” I basically growl.
“That’s cute, but I am home.”
“The fuck you are and while we’re on the subject, you’re not moving to Vegas.”
“Oh wow, I’m glad you cleared that up for me. You just forgot one thing, Grunt.”
“Don’t make me spank your ass, Red. Your little boy toy behind you probably wouldn’t like it.”
“Boy Toy?” the man behind Jasmine asks, laughing. I’m ready to face-plant my fist into that fucking smile he’s wearing.
“It seems to fit.
“Quit threatening Hawk. He belongs here, unlike you,” Jasmine exhales, sounding fed up. I ignore her, my anger pointed at the man behind her. He seems like an easier situation to fix.
I can just kill him.
Right now, I’m thinking that will make me feel better.
“Hawk,” I scoff. “What kind of fucking name is that?”
“It’s better than…what was that you called him, Jazz? Grunt?”
Jasmine hangs her head down.
“Grunt you need to leave, and Hawk back off.”
“Spoilsport,” the man pouts, but goes back toward the living room.
“At least you have him trained,” I joke.
“Oh, that’s rich coming from you. Tell me, how does it feel to get your ass kicked by a girl?” Hawk taunts.
That’s when Gabby wraps her arms around Hawk and pulls him back into the room.
Fuck, could this asshole be the man that hurt Lyla?
Suddenly handing the prick over to Ford doesn’t seem like that bad of an idea.
“You need to leave,” Jasmine repeats, sounding tired, and bringing my attention back to her.
“That’s not going to happen this time, Red. We need to talk, and this time you’re going to let me explain before trying to break my nose, and permanently de-ball me,” I grumble. I hear that motherfucker laughing in the background, and the idea of turning him over to Ford is getting more and more appealing by the second.
“If you don’t leave, I will permanently de-ball you. Believe it or not, I was mostly taking it easy on you the last time,” she brags, and the truth is, I think she’s telling me the truth.
“You don’t want to do that, baby,” I tell her, wedging my body between the door and the frame so she can’t close it on me.
“Trust me, Grunt, I really do.”
“No, you don’t. You’re going to want me to have my balls in good shape and we both know that. Now, quit acting like a bitch and let’s talk this out.”
I see the shock move over her face about the same time anger sparks in her eyes. My dick twitches in reaction. Jesus, there’s nothing sexier than watching Jasmine’s face come alive with anger—except maybe when it’s passion.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Why don’t you go home to your wife and pull your shit on her, because I’m not—”