Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
After a talk with Kane.
Fuck that asshole. It’s not like I was dying to be in the same space as him.
Anyway, turns out Ryder was also getting close to me for a reason—Megan. He’d wanted my ‘cute’ friend’s number ever since he saw us together at a coffee shop.
As I’m walking off campus, I call Megan and tell her about the news.
She screams in my ear for, like, a minute before saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for finally giving me what others have. I prefer Jude, but I’d ride Ryder any day. Or, like, he rides me? You know, like his name?”
“So that’s a yes?” I ask.
“Heck yeah, baby.”
“Shouldn’t you think this through? I think he’s associated with the people controlling the town.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s only sex.”
“All right, but be careful, yeah?”
“I will! Do a girl a favor and don’t make me look desperate.”
“I got you. I’ll say you don’t know about it, and I’m doing him a favor. Act surprised when he texts.”
“I’ll be the queen of drama. Gosh, what am I wearing? I want to borrow that hot green dress of yours, but my ass won’t fit. How about the stretchy pink one? Can I borrow it?”
“No. I told you I’m sending them back with the others.”
“You already did and they were returned to you.”
“I’ll donate them to charity, then.”
“Me!” she says, offended. “Donate them to me.”
“I don’t want to see them, Megan. If I give them to you, he’ll think I kept them out of sentimental value.”
“D, honey, this shit can bring you at least a hundred K if you sell them. You can keep the money for physical therapy once your sister wakes up. Quit with the stupid pride. Since that boy broke your heart, you get to keep all the shit he gave you. That’s the rule.”
“He did not break my heart.”
“Totally believable with the way you’ve been acting this week.”
“I’ve been acting just fine.”
“You’ve been a grumpy mess and have been cursing Kane out of the blue as if you’re possessed. That’s a broken heart right there.”
“Nope. I’m just planning my revenge.”
“Another sign of a broken heart. I warned you to stay away from the Vipers.”
“And yet you’re excited about Ryder.”
“I don’t catch feelings for dick. I’m excited to fuck him, not date him. Anyway, want me to help with selling the clothes and shoes?”
“Do whatever you want.”
“Including borrowing the pink dress?”
“You can keep it.”
“OMG. Love you. I’ll consider it my commission. Got to go.” There’s a sound of shuffling on the other end. “Make me seem like the hottest girl ever when you talk about me to Ryder.”
“He’s already smitten. You don’t need it.”
“We always need a bit of a morale boost. Laters!”
I shake my head as I hang up.
A body slams into mine and I pause as pink pumps stop in front of me.
“Watch where you’re going, Charity.”
I inhale deeply as I raise my head and smile sweetly at Isabella. “Me? Seems you’re the one who has no sense of direction.”
One of her minions is about to say something, but she holds up a hand. “Don’t waste your breath on a nobody who was dropped so fast, no one remembers her name.”
My hand fists around my phone, but I remain silent, my smile still in place.
I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me fall.
“If you’re done wasting my time.” I start to walk past her.
“Don’t take it personally,” she speaks close to my face. “People like you come and go all the time. You could’ve never competed with me. Kane has always been mine.”
“Funny because I swear you disappeared from his side for weeks after you tried to drug me and he got you kicked out of the organization. He either threatened or hurt you, I’m not sure which, but what I am sure about is that your feelings aren’t reciprocated.”
“And yours are?”
“Probably not. But I’m not delusional.”
“Maybe, but you sure are jealous. You’re always glaring at me—it gives me the creeps.” She smiles. “Got to go and get ready for meeting my Kane later. Try not to commission a voodoo doll and curse me, Charity.”
I won’t punch her in the face.
I will not stoop that low for some asshole.
As she walks away with a sway to her hips and mocking laughter, however, I bring out my phone.
Isabella and Kane can go to hell for all I care, then have tiny babies blessed by Satan himself.
But I meant it about him regretting this.
Two can play his sick game.
And, yes, I’m petty.
Me
Hi.
Ryder
Thorne! You got me the number?
Maybe. If you tell me where you guys are hanging out tonight.
Man. Captain will kill me for this. He made it clear that you’re not to be invited anywhere he’s at.
I draw a circle on my thumb and try not to be affected. Thinking it is one thing, but actually knowing the truth feels as if I’ve been stabbed.