Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Keane took firm control of his impatience. He might be the one in charge when it came to some things, but Garrett knew how to get information out of people, and he had that look in his eyes. So Keane went quiet.
Lola seemed to revel in the fact that she was the center of attention. Her lips curled up, and she leaned in. “Well, his sister says that Jason was at a party with a bunch of his friends. That whore was not supposed to be at the party. She didn’t even go to our school. She’s too fancy for that. You know they call her daddy the devil around these parts.”
Oh, there it was. They were talking about Olivia. He felt his spine straighten, but Garrett’s eyes flashed. He wanted more information.
It hurt him, but he kept his mouth closed even when he wanted to tell them to stop talking about her that way.
Information was valuable. Garrett taught him that. Knowing when and how to get it was important.
This was one more piece to the puzzle that was Olivia Barnes-Fleetwood.
“Anyway, she showed up because one of her weirdo friends from that pervert resort place had a boyfriend there that night, and she overheard Jason talking about how he wouldn’t have to work after he married Liv. He would get a cushy job with her daddy and live his life in luxury while he found a woman he actually wanted on the side,” Lola explained as though she wasn’t discussing a man who was obviously complete trash. “That girl threw a fit. The cops came out and broke up the party.”
Garrett looked his way. “Well, that confirms pretty much everything she said.”
No one saw her as more than a golden ticket to something better. No one except the boy she loved as a child, and he couldn’t love her back the way she needed.
She needed them. She needed him and Garrett to show her not everyone was out for themselves. He didn’t want her money or family connections. He wanted her gorgeous body and free spirit. He wanted all the love he sensed she had to give.
“Hey, Lola,” a deep voice said. “What the hell are you doing here? I told you to stay home.”
Lola turned and put a hand on her hip, cocking it perfectly like this was her I’m-arguing-with-my-man pose. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, Jason. You ain’t my husband and it sounds like you’re never going to be, so I can do what I like.”
The two faced off, and Keane got a good look at what seemed to be one of the men who treated Olivia like crap.
Jason Football Asshole was roughly six foot three, and while he was undeniably athletic, there were signs that he was starting to let himself go. His belly wasn’t quite flat and there was the start of a double chin, but the vestiges of his former glory still clung enough that Keane could see why he would be sought after. Though obviously not for his personality.
“Lola, I told you why I’m doing this. Now get your ass back home. Once I convince her to give me another chance, we can quietly see each other,” he said through clenched teeth. “But I can’t go after our cash cow if you’re hanging around making a spectacle of yourself. And stop going places with Amy. I told you she’s a whore.”
Amy simply grinned up at Garrett like nothing the other guy said could bother her. “I’m not a whore. I’m a slut. No cash required, big guy, though I wouldn’t mind you buying me a drink.”
The urge to spank Olivia’s gorgeous ass damn near overtook him. He was here in this weird reality show hell because of her insecurities. “You two should handle your shit. I’ve got a woman to find, and Jason, if you try to even talk to Olivia Barnes-Fleetwood, I will personally kick your ass.”
Jason looked over like he just realized someone was there. “Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m Olivia’s man, and I’m not about to let some gold-digging, sad-sack, peaked-in-high-school asshole pester her,” Keane announced.
Jason’s eyes flared. “Olivia doesn’t have a man. Not since that city asshole dumped her. My sister talked to her last week. She didn’t have a boyfriend.”
“Now she has two,” Garrett offered, gently pressing against Amy’s arm. “Sorry, buddy. You lost her a long time ago, and we have her now. We’re not going to let you use her.”
Amy huffed and put a hand back on Garrett like she could claim him with touch. “You ain’t with that whore.”
Keane felt his whole body grow larger. “What did you say?”
“Hey, get your hand off him.” Olivia moved through the crowd. The crowd parted to let her through as though she was the queen and everyone knew it.