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)
“Okay, well, have fun and be safe,” I yell after her like I’m her mom.
As soon as she’s out of earshot, he leans into my side. "She's...interesting."
"She's a little different, yes, but she’s a great friend. One of the best, honestly.”
He nods and passes me the beer I've just left him holding. I grab the cold Solo cup and clutch it to my chest like it’s a barrier between us. "Let's get out of the way and go sit on those benches over there.”
It’s a beautiful fall evening, the sun slowly setting, painting the sky in an array of oranges and reds. A cold chill ripples down my spine. Maybe I should’ve gotten hot chocolate instead. We head toward the edge of the carnival, and once we reach a bench, an awkward silence settles on us.
What the hell do we talk about? The only thing we really have in common is tutoring. I don't even know why he asked me out. I know why I agreed, though. I wanted to make Drew take the hint that I don’t belong to him. Okay, and maybe make him a little jealous, and gain some new tutoring clients in the process. Now, though, I’m a little lost. Dates and relationships, in general, are out of my wheelhouse. The excitement I felt earlier gives way to anxiety. I guess if I have nothing to say, I should take a drink. Maybe after this, he will introduce me so I can start setting up tutoring times. My calendar is already loaded into my phone and ready to go.
I raise the cup to my lips, intending to take a large gulp, hoping it gives me the courage to talk about something, anything. Except that never happens because the second my mouth touches the iced-over plastic, someone snatches the cup from my hand. Cold beer sloshes out of the cup and over the rim, soaking my hand and wrist.
What the hell? I shake my hand off to get rid of the excess liquid before wiping it against the side of my dress. When I look up to see who it was that took my drink, my stomach drops to my feet. Drew.
"What the fuck, man?" Stewart growls, stepping between us and shielding me from him.
Well, he's either incredibly brave or stupid...I know where my money is in this situation. Drew looks furious, his dark hair still damp from the dunk tank and slicked back to keep the strands out of his face. I drink him in for one moment: he’s a nightmare, a painting of destruction and rage. Those dark emerald eyes of his are manic, his pupils dilated, his chiseled jaw is clenched so tight, I’d be surprised if he still had teeth. I’m momentarily blinded by his beauty, and then reality comes crashing back down on me.
"Can I have my drink back, please?" I try to be nice since I know he’s pissed off, and meeting his anger with anger will only ignite the fire.
The sharp cut of his words from the other day floats through my head, and I use them to bolster my confidence. He claims he doesn't even like me, that I’m nothing more than a game to him. The main reason I came here was to prove to him I’m not his. I don’t belong to him, no matter how many times he demands and claims otherwise.
He cocks his head as two of his oversized friends surround us. One, whose rage-fueled energy matches Drew’s right now, circles right, and the other, who I haven't really seen around much, heck, I don’t even know his name, circles left.
Drew points at Stewart. "Aries, step over here, please." Aries it is, then.
The man I don't recognize sweeps around behind us, and Stewart shifts to keep Aries from being directly behind him. "What the fuck do you want?"
“Drew, please can we talk about this somewhere private?” I try.
His eyes remain trained on Stewart, and every time he breathes, his nostrils flare. I bet he doesn’t even see me. I move to step forward, but an arm circles my waist, pulling me backward. I crash against a hard chest and immediately start to struggle. It’s no use, not when the man holding me is twice my size. Lee, I think his name is.
"Calm down. You don’t want to miss the best part."
"What are you talking about?" I ask but keep my eyes on Drew and Stewart.
Drew steps forward like he might punch him and slaps the beer out of his hands, then shoves mine into his grasp. "Thirsty, Dickface? Here, have a drink."
Nothing but menace laces his words, and I gulp, which earns me a chuckle from Lee, who I feel against my back. I guess I should be relieved he's just holding me in place. No wandering hands from him… He’s clearly met Drew.