Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Hendrix glared at me, one eye twitching. “Tuba-Blowing-Betty said there’s a party at Bennett’s house tomorrow night. She even sent me the directions…”
And I couldn’t resist the temptation. “Sounds like a plan, man.”
We finished our food, Hendrix glaring at the Barrington assholes most of the time, then I took Arlo to get a Slushie from the 7-11.
Hendrix texted me the address, and I stared down at it, my blood heating with jealousy. Because Bennett’s address was the same one Drew practically stayed at. Arlo jiggled the door handle. “Unlock it, Bubba.”
I pressed the button, and Arlo shot out of my car, darting into the 7-11 while I fumed over a girl that wasn’t even mine. “This is bullshit.” I tossed my phone to the console and got out of my car, heading into the quick mart. I grabbed an energy drink from the cooler then rounded the corner and abruptly stopped. Drew stood in front of the rubbers section, a box of condoms in each hand. Heat crept beneath the collar of my shirt as the thought of her and Bennett screwing catapulted to the forefront of my mind.
She glanced at me, froze, then smiled. “Bellamy.” She held up the packages. “Which one?”
Bennett’s face flashed to mind—that smug ass grin when he told me to leave her alone...
“Those are too small. Put them back,” I said, grabbing a pack of Slim Jim’s and trying to control the hot wave of jealousy crashing inside me.
She bit her lip on a smile. Then put one box back.
“I said, put them back.”
“Or what?”
Every bit of fear I’d put in her was gone. Either because she liked being scared, or because the fact that I wanted her bad enough to make a deal, gave her a false sense of security.
“I got all three flavors, Bubba!” Arlo skipped down the aisle. “And some Dr. Pepper. This one’s called monster poop.” Arlo glanced at Drew. “I named my horse with a sword Spike.” Then he rushed over and snatched a box of condoms from the shelf, shaking it. “Can we get some rubbers, Bubba?”
Drew’s hand went to her mouth, smothering a laugh.
This was Hendrix’s fault. Telling Arlo the damn things were water balloons one time when he was the only option left for a babysitter. “Put those back, Arlo.”
“Why! Hendrix always gets rubbers. He said the 7-11 is good for two things.” Arlo held up two fingers. “Rubbers and hose. And we already got our hose at home.” He grabbed my arm and gave it a tug. “Puh-lease.” I was seriously going to kill Hendrix.
She flipped the box of condoms over in her hand, skimming the back as she lifted a slow brow. “I bet you’ve got hoes lined up around the block.”
“Nah-uh.” Arlo shook his head. “We just got the hose at our house.”
Drew smiled at him. “Oh, is that all?”
Bennett. She was screwing Bennett. She had to be. And God, did I hate her for it.
“Fuck off.”
Arlo’s eyes widened on a deep frown. “That’s not nice.”
And now, I felt like shit for being a bad example. “You’re right.” Taking him by the shoulders, I directed him to the front. “Go get some gum or something.”
He skipped off, and I redirected my attention back to Drew and that stupid box of rubbers. Annoyed as hell that she wanted someone who wasn’t me. More annoyed that I gave a shit. Before her, I’d never been bothered by a girl at all, yet everything about Drew bothered me and pissed me off because it was every fucking thing about her that made me want her. “Surprised Bennett’s two-inch prick doesn’t slip out of condoms.” I couldn’t even manage to keep my mouth shut when it came to her. “Might wanna get the rubbers for the genitally challenged.”
“Careful, Bellamy. You almost sound jealous.” She pretended to brush something from my shirt. “And I know how much you care about your reputation...”
God, was there something more than hate? On a growl, I started toward the register, grabbing Arlo on my way. He placed his Slushie on the counter, along with a pack of bubble gum. That was when I noticed the lump in his newly tucked-in shirt.
I took a breath, not wanting to take my complete and absolute aggravation with this Prada-wearing Medusa out on my little brother. “Anything else we need to pay for?”
“Nah-uh.”
Frowning, I knelt beside him and untucked his shirt. Kit-Kats and Crunch bars fell to the dirty convenience store floor. “Dammit, Arlo.” I gathered the treats up and tossed them onto the counter. “What have I told you about stealing?”
The toe of his Velcro sneaker scuffed the floor. “That it’s not right.”
“So, don’t do it.”
I stole. A lot. Some people would say trying to teach my kid brother morals when I was a complete delinquent was hypocritical, but I stole out of necessity. To give him an out of the same shit hand of cards I’d been dealt.