Page 93 of Unhinged

Going to the break room, I grab my coat and tell a few decent people goodbye.

Walking to the front, I see Kip at the front counter, bitching to the head manager, J.R., about me. When J.R. turns to speak to someone else, I flip off Dingleberry, who still resembles a dead fish.

Onward and upward, they say.

Or, as they also say, crash and burn.

Clad in tight jeans, her perfect ass sways as she wipes down a table. I want to jerk off and watch my jizz dripping down her cheeks.

“Yo! Rodwell! Refill!”

I frown at Perry, a retired school janitor who had won the lottery but blew his winnings in Atlantic City, leaving him poorer than he was before. I’d drink too.

I take his glass and pour whatever is closer. He doesn’t care.

I return to staring at Simone. Her white-blonde hair bounces in a high ponytail as she giggles with a customer. Aside from her hard-on inducing body, her smile is friendly yet so fucking sexy. I didn’t lie. Since she showed up in Durham, I’ve had a never-ending boner for Simone. I could rub one out right here just watching her smile and eyes light up her face. Simone outshines Hadley in every way, and I’m too stupid to notice that until now. She’s hot, funny, genuine, caring, sassy as all hell, a good person, and mine…temporarily.

Fuck. It can’t be happening. I was so wrong before.

I look over at Simone as panic fills my veins just in time to see her hugging a guy. Her smile is anxious now. From the color of his baseball cap and hair beneath it, my stomach drops, and then I see a rat’s nest hug her next.

Finn Wilder and Ricky Tesco look over at me.

Shit.

I turn away and ask anyone if they need a refill. From the corner of my eye, I see Simone blocking her brother from walking toward me. However, Officer Poncherello heads over, parking himself on an empty stool. “How goes it, Rodwell?”

I force a civil smile. “I’m good. How about you, Tesco?”

“I heard the funniest thing.” His brown eyes narrow, and I know whatever he heard isn’t so funny. “You married our girl, Simone.”

I laugh as I pick up a glass and toss it back and forth. “Yeah. I did.”

“Why?”

“I’m sure she told Wilder why.”

“Actually, she told her mother, who told Finn. Man, your mother-in-law is none too happy with either of you.”

I nod. “Simone shouldn’t have had to do this to get around her asshole dad. So, it is what it is.”

“Why would you help her?”

“Why not?”

He nods. “Right. The money.”

I’m offended and offensive. “I don’t want any of it. That’s what friends do.”

“Then I guess I should’ve been faster and married her first.” Fuck, no.

“It was my suggestion, and she didn’t even want to do it.”

Ricky’s eyebrows shoot up. “Really?” He licks his lips and glances over at Simone talking to her brother in a corner. He then looks back at me. “So, this marriage is just for show?”

My throat closes fast, and I clear my throat, still sounding like a dying mouse. “Yeah.” No, back the fuck off Simone before I break your kneecaps.

“Do you see other people?” If it were up to me, I’d be the only man she sees.

---