Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“What did your dad give you shit about?”
“The girl I’m seeing,” I rush out quickly. “If I know Mom, she left us something to heat up for dinner.” I start for the kitchen and open the fridge. “Mystery casserole it is.”
I start mashing buttons to preheat the oven when I feel his brooding presence.
“You’re seeing a girl?”
“Certainly not a guy,” I joke.
He doesn’t laugh. Doesn’t smile. Just stares.
“Yeah, man. A girl. I like her,” I admit.
“Who?”
“Does it matter?” I grumble as I remove the foil. Looks like Mom’s famous King Ranch chicken casserole. It’s Terrence’s favorite.
“It matters.”
Silence fills the air as we stare each other down. Fuck. He’s not going to like this. Hell, until recently, I didn’t like this.
“It’s not Tierra or your grandma,” I tease, though my joke sounds forced.
His face doesn’t twitch. Anger glints in his brown eyes. He knows. Why is he going to make me say it?
“T,” I start, letting out a heavy sigh. “It just happened.”
A flare of disgust ripples over his features, making me wince. As though the world likes to fuck me over with timing straight from the book of Karma, a car door slams outside.
That’s right.
I invited Charlotte and Penny over for dinner. Penny was supposed to leave Charlotte overnight. When I was bringing Terrence home, I assumed he’d go to his home, not mine. Now, everything is about to fucking explode.
The oven buzzes, letting me know it’s pre-heated. I shove the casserole dish inside and close the door before scrubbing my palm over my face in frustration. The front door opens. All I can do is watch the train wreck unfold. No warning for either of them.
Charlotte walks in, looking gorgeous as hell in a black leather jacket and jeans. Her smile is wide and all for me. Penny follows in, sloppy in her hoodie and sweats, always such a contrast from her sister. As soon as Charlotte sees Terrence, her smile falters.
“Oh…”
Terrence stiffens, his shoulders squaring like he’s about to faceoff with a dragon. Something in his stance sends my protective urges flaring to the surface. I stride past my best friend, putting myself between them. Charlotte’s blue eyes flicker to mine for a brief instant, relief shining in them, before she turns them back to Terrence.
“Terrence,” she murmurs. “I have nothing to say to you except I’m so, so sorry. Words can’t explain how sorry I am. I never set out to hurt you.”
“You did hurt me,” he snaps, his fiery words lashing at my back.
As though she’s been struck by them, she flinches. My hackles rise. I feel like an asshole for being pissed at Terrence, but I am. I don’t want his anger directed at her. I want to draw her into my arms and keep her safe from him.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her nose turning pink and her eyes watering. “I know you’ll never forgive me—”
He cuts her off with a snarl. “You don’t know shit about me.”
“I know, but—” she tries again.
“Stop talking to me, you reckless bitch,” he bites out. “Just stop fucking talking.”
Twisting around, I come face to face with T. His drooping eye twitches with anger. I feel guilt for a split second, but then his words come flying back.
“Enough,” I bite out. “That’s enough.”
His lip curls up. “I’m—”
“One ugly motherfucker,” Penny states from behind me.
I flinch at her words. She pushes past me and looks up at Terrence. His anger is no longer shot at my fucking girl, but to her sister instead.
“The fuck you say, little girl?” Terrence seethes.
Penny laughs. “You heard me. Now back the fuck off my sister before I punch you in your good eye.”
His brows furl. “You can’t—”
“What? Can’t be mean to the mean boy?” She pokes his chest. “Just because you’re ugly, Humpty Dumpty, doesn’t mean you get a free pass.”
He gapes at her. “Did you just call me—”
“Do you like egghead better?” she challenges. “Seriously, dude, sue your doctor. He fucked up your head.”
“Penny,” I growl. “Enough.”
She looks over her shoulder at me. “You’re not the boss of me, Hoodlum.”
Fucking hell.
“Go home, little girl,” Terrence mutters.
“Nah, I’d rather give you shit.” She shrugs. “Does Tierra know you’re a raging asshole? From the way she talks about you, you’d think you were God’s gift to mankind.”
“She knows,” I offer.
Terrence smirks. I see it. Just the slightest movement. My heart nearly leaps out of my fucking chest.
“Can I touch your dent?” Penny asks Terrence. “Is it squishy?”
He loses the smirk to scowl at her. “I don’t have a dent.”
“You most certainly have a dent. Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re ugly as fuck, man,” Penny deadpans.
He blinks at her, his mouth parted in shock. “I haven’t looked in the mirror.”
Oh fuck.
She takes his hand. “Oh boy, I cannot wait to see the look on your face. Let’s do it together. Come on.”