So she’s Jude’s girl.
In that case, why the fuck is he now hitting her shoulder with his? “Is that why you look pretty tonight? Because you totally don’t like him and didn’t come to the game and club for him?”
Pretty. He called her pretty.
Not that I’m petty or anything, but he’s never calledmepretty.
“Just…” She pushes at his arm. “Stop teasing me.”
He laughs, and that fire ignites deeper.
Kill her. Erase the problem from his surroundings forever.
“No clue what you see in the man,” he muses. “He barely knows how to talk to a girl. He’s so closed off, he gives me a bad name.”
“Were you also close with his previous girlfriends?”
“What girlfriends? He’s never had one of those. Don’t get me wrong, he’s my best friend, but he’s too brutish. If he gives you trouble, let me know.”
“What will you do? Punch him for me?”
“Hell yeah. I’ll be punched back ten times worse, but I’ll survive. It’ll be worth it for your beautiful smile.”
That’s it.
I stalk from my hiding spot, trying as hard as hell to remain composed as I say in a low voice, “What would be worth it for her beautiful smile?”
The girl pauses, but Preston…Preston does the exact opposite.
His smile that he was flashing to someone other than me disappears and he snarls.
I let my lips curl in a smirk as I size thisVeeup. What’s the best way to make her vanish? Preferably this instant.
“Go ahead.” I stare at her, my voice emotionless. “Show me the beautiful smile so I can decide what’s worth it or if it’s worth anything at all.”
“The fuck are you doing here?” Preston growls, losing his control bit by fucking bit.
“Aw. Why so cold?” I tilt my head in his direction. “Came to celebrate your win. Aren’t I supportive?”
“You—” Preston cuts himself off, then forces a smile so fake, it pisses me off. “Wrong timing. As you can see, I’m busy with Vee.”
“Vee.” I slowly cock my head in her direction. “Why don’t you smile for me, Vee? I’m trying to figure out if Armstrong has a fucking death wish on this fine night.”
“Leave her the fuck alone.” Preston’s fist connects with my chest. “And you’re the one who seems to have a goddamn death wish, Osborn.”
Just as he’s about to remove his hand, I drape my palm over it, relishing the small shiver that crawls on his skin. “My oh my. Are you angry, my prince?”
Preston shoves me away and holds her by the shoulders, painting a grin on his lips. “Let’s go inside, Vee. Some fly is polluting my air with its constant buzzing.”
“I haven’t finished talking. Also, this needs to go.” I snatch Preston’s wrist from her shoulder and twist it in the opposite direction.
Preston releases himself and kicks me in the stomach.
“Motherfucking bitch! You just never know when to back the fuck off.” Preston kicks me again and again, but hey, I’m making him lose control in his belovedpublic.
In front of not-my-replacement.
Laughter rips out of me as he keeps kicking me.
