Page 63 of Unhinged

As Garrison continues to talk to the fucker, Candi catches me watching Garrison, and I make a face at her. Smooth.

Candi walks over to the bar, and I try to think of a lie. She shakes her head as she sets her tray on the bar. “You are so obvious, Greg.”

“That your dancing annoys the fuck out of me?” I nod toward Simone. “Garrison find a new fan?”

Candi laughs, and her over-processed blonde hair shakes with her. “I guess. He’s a coworker of hers and asked him to meet her here tonight.” What the actual fuck?

As I glare at them, Candi laughs again. “Lord. This is serious.”

I move my glare to Candi. “They’re serious? Already? What did she say?”

Monty asks, “What’s serious?”

“Greg has got it fucking bad for Simone. It’s not even funny.”

Crossing my arms, I ask, “Crabs? I’m sure everyone does.” Again, fabulous response.

She taunts, “You want her.” Yeah, I do. Goddamn, I’m in so much trouble.

“Shut up, Dillard.”

Monty snorts like it’s the last of the cocaine. “Definitely. She’s pretty.”

I frown at Monty. “You too, Jensen. No one here is pretty.”

Candi squeals, “Thanks!” Whatever.

Monty asks, “Amos said you know Simone?”

“So?”

“Why didn’t you ask her out before?”

I pretend to care about anyone needing refills. “You two are so off it’s embarrassing and offensive.”

They both laugh but thankfully drop it. I watch Simone finally leave the table and head to the kitchen. When Monty moves to shoot the shit with a regular, and since it’s slow, I say, “I’ll be back.”

He grins, and before he says anything, I go to the kitchen but don’t see Garrison. I hear the toilet flush and stand outside the door like a stalker. I’m not. When she leaves the restroom, she nearly runs into me like last night. But this time, she doesn’t smile. “What, Rod? I’m not bothering you.” I fucking hate when she calls me that.

“Is that your date out there?”

“Elijah? He works with your mom and me. He’s nice. We may go out tomorrow. Your mom and Amos both gave me Monday off, so I have all day to prepare.”

“For sleeping with that jack-off?”

“You don’t even know Elijah. And I never said I’d sleep with him.” When Garrison avoids looking at me, it’s all the confirmation I need that she will. No fucking way.

“Are you kidding me, Garrison? He’ll be your twenty-fourth?”

“Go to hell.” She tries to move past me, but I block her. “You’ll sleep with him but not take me up on my offer? I gave you a path to forgiveness.”

Her blue eyes blaze like a blowtorch with a fire I’ve never seen in her. “No, Rod. It’s emotional blackmail. Forget to forgive me because you either forgive me now or never. If me fucking you is the only way you stop hating me, then you can go fuck yourself. I’m not some mindless whore you can manipulate or guilt into having sex just so you can screw other women.”

“But—”

“I’m not done. Even if we argued all the time and you hate Finn, you and I used to be friends. You can’t deny that, and it hurts you have no place in your heart to see I never meant you any harm. I cared about you. I cared about your daughter. But I see how I mean less than shit to you. If things were different, I’d be willing to help you with your…situation…because your past was traumatic. And yes. I’m going out with Elijah tomorrow, and I may go out with Tanner the next day. Hell, I still may get to fuck Ricky. It’s none of your concern what I do. None of them are as mean to me as you. Now, if you’ll get out of my way.” Damn.

“Garrison…” Stunned, I watch as she rounds me and storms back out to the bar.

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