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)
She looks visibly anxious as she leans against the side of the tank. "Around. She's been at the library doing her tutoring thing, you know?"
I did know, but I don't like how anxious she's acting. "What are you hiding, Jackie?" I make it a request, soft and low.
"Nothing, of course. I have nothing to hide."
"You can’t lie for shit, you know that?"
She huffs and then sighs. "Yeah, I know. I'm not good at it."
I raise an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. Her shoulders droop. "For what it's worth, I told her it was a bad idea. I mean...you're you...why would she want to go out with someone else?" Her hand slaps over her mouth, horror filling her eyes.
I blink, and a slow rolling wave of rage crashes against me. "Excuse me? I think I have water in my ear because there’s no fucking way I just heard you correctly. Did you say go out with someone else?"
Who the fuck would have the balls, or better yet, who would be stupid enough to go on a date with her? Only someone who wants to be buried six feet in the ground.
Jackie shakes her head and keeps her hand clamped over her mouth like she’s afraid she’ll say something else that she shouldn’t. “I didn’t say anything," she mumbles through her fingers. I'm about to slip off the bench and into the water to grab her, but she skitters back and then rushes away.
I watch her run away, unable to do a damn thing. "Fuck," I mutter.
The tension in my shoulders tightens, and the buzzing under my skin increases. I need to get the fuck out of here. Jackie better be joking, or Maybel better have miscommunicated because… I can’t even think about losing my temper at this moment. A new group of people steps up to the booth, and I force a breath out of my nose before sucking it back in. It’s the poorest example of how to calm down ever, but it’s that or lose my shit and turn into a feral animal. I’d rather not make a giant ass out of myself…not yet. I'll find Maybel shortly. This shit show is almost over.
I count back in my head: ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one… I’m about to start over again when one of the basketball dickheads jokes with some friends as he puts his feet on the line. I recognize the fuckface as one of the guys who Maybel tutors. Stewart, I think. I did a complete dissection of his life the moment I saw his number in her phone.
Seb passes him three balls. The guy's tall, with big hands, and easily holds all three balls in one hand. I glare at him, wishing he would hurry the fuck up so I can get on with this shit. He tosses the first ball and of course misses. It’s with that movement that I notice the small shadow standing beside him. My heartbeat skyrockets. The blood in my veins reaches boiling.
All I can think is how she told me it wasn’t anything, that he’s a friend. Ha, a friend that wants to fuck you five different ways. I’m seconds away from coming unglued. I should look away. She doesn’t deserve my attention or desire, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
I grit my teeth and stare her down. She’s wearing her hair down, the blond waves end just above her tits. As my gaze lingers, I notice she’s wearing a dress. A goddamn dress when it's cold outside. I would never let her leave her room in a fucking dress in the cold. She gently touches the basketball player's arm, and the rage unfurls in my gut.
I call out. "Yo, Dick. You going to hit the target or not? I don't have all day to sit here."
A few people in the crowd chuckle. He throws another ball. Misses again.
Bel moves her hand off his arm, and I relax my shoulders a bit at the distance. It doesn't matter. This little fucker is going down anyway, but...her not touching him keeps me from launching myself at him right this second.
She is mine. MINE.
I grit my teeth and stare him down. "You having a little trouble performing there, Dick? Do you need me to take care of your girl for you?"
She jolts, and her eyes fly wide to meet mine. I give her a smile, all teeth, making sure she knows how much fucking trouble she's in. She knows better than this, yet here she stands with another man, acting like she doesn’t belong to me. Did she let him kiss her, touch her? If so, his fucking hands will be broken too.
Stewart throws the last ball and, once again, misses.
I laugh. "It's okay, honey. Come over here. I'll make sure you're taken care of until Dick can actually perform."