Page 124 of Unleashed

“Yeah, yeah. You don’t want to hear Simone is a married woman who enjoys sex with her husband. In case you forgot, that’s me.”

Dr. Garrison frowns, but then appears hopeful. “Have you thought about my proposition?”

“Your indecent proposal?”

He shrugs as he glowers around the living room. “Call it what you may.”

When he heads into the kitchen, I follow him to the entranceway. “I’m still considering it. Are you sure you want me out of Simone’s life?”

He opens cabinets, unhappy without whatever he doesn’t find. “You two are not compatible. Simone needs a man with resources to take care of her.”

I laugh. “No, she doesn’t. She’ll be okay.”

“That shows how much you know my daughter.”

“Or how much you don’t know my wife.”

He sighs as he slams the last cabinet door. “I guess I’ll have to scavenge for dinner. You have little food. Are you strapped until payday?”

I shake my head and make a face. “We didn’t expect you this early.”

“You don’t eat?” Your daughter’s pussy tastes delicious.

I lean against the kitchen doorway and clear my throat as I scratch the back of my neck. “I’m on a cereal kick.”

“I see.” He eyes me as if I told him I roast rats over an open fire. I would if it meant he’d get lost. “Don’t you ever work at the gas station? I never see you leave for work.”

“I’m off until tomorrow morning.” Prick.

His gaze drops to my chest. “What kind of shirt are you wearing?”

I look down and then back up at him with a proud grin. “You’ve never heard of The Kills?”

Dr. Garrison’s grim expression tickles me. “I don’t listen to metal.”

I laugh. “They’re not metal. You can borrow my Elton John shirt, then. You’ve heard of him, right?”

“I’m not fond of that genre of music, either.”

I shake my head as I push off the frame. “What a disgrace. I’m hitting the shower. Have fun.”

“Let’s not speak of disgraces.”

“Yes, let’s not.” I roll my eyes as I continue upstairs. In Simone’s room, I peel my shirt over my head as my phone dings. Digging into my front pocket, I pull out my phone to see a text from Ferrera. Dinner. You. Me. Don’t say no.

Creepy. I have nothing else to do since Simone is AWOL. I laugh as I respond: Ok, but for me to put out, you’d better pay.

Sounds fair. Any place in particular?

Joe’s @ 6 p.m.

I give him the address and change into a clean pair of jeans. I’ll need to wash clothes or go to Amos’s for more. Maybe Simone will be charitable and let me use her washer and dryer. Although I should look for an apartment and not squat at my coworkers’ homes, I’m not eager to live alone again.

Before leaving, I check my phone for a message from Simone, but there isn’t one. Irritable again, I shove the phone into my front jeans pocket and grab my wallet and keys.

Joe’s only has street parking, so I find a spot and wait for Ferrera to show up in his blue Camaro. Someday, I hope to have a cool car. An awesome career. A fancy house. Maybe a Victoria’s Secret model wife. What more would I need?

I sigh over the steering wheel while emptiness nags at my stomach. I didn’t realize I was so hungry. It’s not like I have a shitload of things on my mind.

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