Page 26 of Bound to Burn


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It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the thrift store, and Angel has updated a few things - like adding lighting inside the cases, and shelves to hold the knock-off purses. I don’t know fuck about purses, but I sure as shit know Louis Vuitton is not spelled Louise Vutton. It’s probably a relative named Louise who makes them, knowing Angel.

“You interested in a gold chain?” Angel holds up a thick chain with a large medallion hanging from it.

Jack pierces him with a glare. “Do I look like I fucking wear gold chains?”

Angel puts the necklace back. “Okay, okay,” he holds his hands up in resignation. “Twenty percent off, though.” He gives a big toothy grin.

“I can’t believe I am in athriftstore looking at engagement rings,” Jack mumbles to me. He points to a diamond ring. “Angelina Jolie probably filed a police report for this one.”

I chuckle. “It’s a nice ring.” I jab him with my elbow.

Jack scoffs and shakes his head.

“Seriously though, Erin is not going to care if you got the ring from Tiffany’s or from Angel’s thrift store. She’d wear a ring from an actual gumball machine if it came fromyou.” I poke him in the chest.

There’s a loud buzz that echoes through the store. “I gotta get the back door,” Angel says.

“There’s a back door?” Jack asks.

“It’s my nephew, Gabriel,” Angel says.

Jack looks as though he’s ready to leave, but I stop him. “Hey, Gabriel might be bringing in something new,” I joke.

“You’re really enjoying this,” Jack grumbles.

“I’ll be right back,” Angel says, and then makes the universal sign for ‘I’ve got eyes on you’. “Smile, you’re on camera.” He then points to a camera mounted to the ceiling.

“Is he serious?” Jack says to me.

“I don’t think it works.” I shake my head as I look up at the unit that was probably original to the building.

We stand awkwardly, looking around the shop. Jack has been in a foul mood all afternoon.

I turn to him and ask, “Why am I here?”

“Because you like my company,” Jack answers quickly.

I roll my eyes because I should have expected that. “I mean, why did you ask me to go with you? Isn’t Wade more suited to this task?”

“You’re right, he would love this shit.” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “But it’s the best man’s job to put up with me while I hyperventilate about picking out a fucking engagement ring.” His voice gets more agitated towards the end of the sentence.

For a second, I take in his words. “Is this how you ask me to be your best man?” I curl my lip and knit my brows.

Jack huffs. “You gonna make this awkward?”

I contemplate that for a minute, drumming my fingers against my lips. “I think you owe it to me to ask properly.” I shift my weight, enjoying how uncomfortable I’m making him.

“This isn’t prom, dickweed.”

“Think of it as practice for asking Erin to marry you,” I suggest, because knowing Jack, he would probably just shove the ring at her and say ‘hey we’re getting married’.

“Look, if you don’t want to do it, just say so. Wade is dying for the role.”

I have no doubt about that.

“If you ask Erin that way, I’m almost positive she’s going to say no.” I can’t help but tease him.

I think actual smoke comes out of his nose when he huffs at me, but then he rolls his eyes and shakes the hair from his forehead.

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