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)
What the hell is he up to?
Curiosity wins out, and I stalk over to them and shoulder up to Sebastian. He’s a few inches shorter than me, but his shoulders are wider and broader. Still, he doesn’t move an inch as I bump into him, subtly telling him to get the fuck out of here. In all the times we’ve fought, it’s never been over a girl. Not that there's a fight to be had. Maybel is mine. Still, his interest in what I’m doing with her, and if we’re exclusive makes me question his loyalty and our friendship.
Turning my back to Bel, I grab him by the arm and lean in. “What the fuck are you doing?”
He doesn’t even glance at me. “Oh, I was just telling Bel what a cute couple they would make. What do you think, Drew? I suggested that Parker here buy some tickets for the carnival and take his little tutor on a date. She’s been working so hard on his behalf, after all.” He bats his long lashes in a mockery of innocence. “Or I guess, if I get planning wrapped up, I could take her.”
Every cell in my body vibrates. No one is taking her anywhere, and fuck Sebastian for even suggesting it. My teeth gnash together as I hiss at him. “Back the fuck off.”
“No can do. I think I like this look on you,” Sebastian says, finally looking at me, and the challenge in his eyes ignites a raging inferno in my gut. Again, he doesn't budge.
“Excuse us,” I growl.
Of all my friends, Sebastian might be the most like me. The most stubborn, the most hardheaded. A hard fucking head I’m about to slam into a table. I cast a warning look at Bel over my shoulder that she better read as don’t you fucking dare and haul Sebastian back by the arm. He doesn’t even try to stop me. If anything, I’d bet there is a grin on his stupid-ass face. I walk through the double doors ahead, and once we’re outside greeted by the cool fall air, I shove him hard enough that he stumbles back a step. He easily catches himself and comes to stand face-to-face with me.
“What the fuck?”
He shrugs, all nonchalant, but I can see a war waging in his eyes. He wants blood, he wants to hurt me, but all he’s going to get is my foot up his ass. “I don’t get into your business...you don’t get into mine, remember.”
“Fuck off, Sebastian.” I shake my head, and just as I expect, he rushes forward and shoves me back, his usual blank face twisting into a mask of fury.
“Oh, is that right? You don't get into my business, huh? What about when my grandpa tried to sell me off to the highest bidder among his rich friends for connections? You didn’t get in the middle of that?”
Suddenly, what Bel said the other day sinks in and makes more sense than I want to admit. “I’m not trying to save you. I’m just trying to help in whatever way I can.” I failed to ask her if she understood what helping me meant because I knew more than anyone she wasn’t capable of hearing about my life problems.
“There’s a difference. I try to help you, you dick! I stepped in to make sure he wouldn’t try that shit again. I wasn’t sabotaging you.”
It’s like my words have no effect on him. “Okay, and what about Lee...when his dad beat the shit out of him for flirting with a man at the last alumni party, you didn’t step into the middle of that either, did you?”
The rage is still burning in my gut, and I clench a fist full of his shirt, hauling him close. “Again, I was fucking helping.”
“Helping. Hmm, and you think any of us want to see what your father will do to you if he sees you getting attached to some poor little fucking scholarship girl? Maybe you have memory loss from all the football hits to the head, but need I remind you how much hell he’s made your life? We all know what he will do. It's not my fault that I’m the only one brave enough to face you about it. Don’t let her become a casualty in a war she didn’t sign up for.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d think Sebastian is growing a heart because that’s the nicest thing he’s ever said about anyone. We stare at each other, so close I can smell the toothpaste on his breath. With a growl, I shove him back and turn around, taking a couple of steps back so I don’t look at him. So I don’t hit him because I really want to fucking hit him.
“You know I’m right, and I’m sorry if it pisses you off, but she doesn’t deserve that. No one deserves that.”