Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
"Calm down, Hulk. I'm not trying to start some shit. It’s just an observation. We don't see you with many girls, but the ones we do see you with don't typically look like they are late for a study date or the host of the mathletes."
I keep my face blank. I don't share shit with anyone because feelings, emotions, and opinions are the exact ammunition that can and will be used against you. Everyone is your friend until the day they become your enemy. "No one needs to worry about what I’m doing or, better yet, who I’m sticking my dick in. Unless you’re riding my dick, you shouldn’t be worried about it.”
Lee rolls onto his back and grins up at me. “If you’re offering, then I’m more than willing. I’d let you fuck me.”
Lee is open to anything and everything, and while I have no problem with that, it’s going to be a no from me. I stare blankly at him. No reaction is still a reaction, I remind myself.
"Look, you’re like a brother to me, Drew. I’m just curious. It isn’t like you to restrict yourself to just one girl during The Hunt, and I'm sure the guys weren’t the only ones who noticed. We had some charter members here tonight from Blackthorn and Prescott, and they always try to model their hunt after ours. They don’t have the balls to go all out like we do, but it’s cute of them to try. What I’m saying is, the fact that not many saw your face last night will lead to questions.”
It's a statement and warning all in one. Rage burns in my veins. I won’t be questioned by the men I lead. Fuck that. I get enough of that shit from my father. And with my mother bedridden in the other family estate, I can only do so much. I wish I got more pushback from her. I’d take her gentle chiding over my dad’s beatings any day. I clench my fists tightly and grit my teeth, my jaw aching beneath the pressure. Reacting with violence would be my first move, but it wouldn’t change anything. Ultimately, everyone, even my friends, reports to my father.
The best thing I can do is bury the emotions beneath the mask and wait for the opportunity to expel them. "We both know you aren’t here to discuss some girl. What can I help you with, Lee?"
My friend shifts to the edge of the bed, and I'm relieved to see he's at least wearing a pair of basketball shorts. "Nothing, really. Just wanted to let you know that others had noticed, and if others have noticed, then we both know it won’t take long for word to travel.”
He's asking, without asking, how long it will take to get back to my father that I'm interested in one woman, one specific woman. And if that woman doesn't rise to my father's ridiculous standards, she'll quickly be off-limits. As much as I do what I want around this school, my fucking father pulls more strings than I'd like to admit.
I glance away and stare at the rug near the window. Lee takes the hint and stands, edging closer to the door. "Anything I can do? Anything any of us can do to help?"
I shake my head, still staring at the ground. “No, nothing. This is something I have to deal with."
"Deal with? What’s that mean?"
"The girl. She's not a problem. Just a form of amusement. I'll make sure everyone knows that."
He salutes me and walks out, shutting the door behind him. I grimace, my gaze moving back to the bed. He better not have brought anyone back here. I curl my lip, pull out my phone, and text our cleaner to change my sheets as soon as possible. The things I put up with at the mercy of friendship…
I navigate from my texts to the app I set up with the thumb drive to spy on Maybel. It’s so fucking stupid to be obsessed with an ordinary girl when I could have any pick of them that I want… But Bel is different. She chose to stand up to the bully in a room full of people. She trembled with fear but still held on to her pride. She provided me with a challenge I didn’t realize I needed.
I check the history in the app and browse through it. Simple. Mundane. She's gone to the library and opened her banking application about a hundred times. Based on the balance, she still hasn’t deposited the check I gave her.
A part of me is enraged at her audacity, but the other part of me carries satisfaction in the fact that even with a check in hand, she still refuses to accept help. Perhaps Maybel is more of a wildflower than a wallflower.