Page 44 of Unleashed

I nod and admit, “We got married.”

He wheezes, and his eyes become the size of the pothole on Dock Street. “Say what?”

“Her dad is a controlling asshole. The only way for her to escape was for her to get married. I volunteered.”

“Fuck,” he whispers. “But marriage? I mean, come on.”

I sigh. “I returned the favor of her helping me with Birdy.”

He frowns as sirens wail in the distance and people mill about Brandon’s driveway. “That’s a hefty favor, Greg. Last summer, you wanted nothing to do with her.”

“Like I said, I returned a favor.”

“You’re married, and she’s dating another man?”

I shake my head, hating I brought all of this shit up. “No. She had it annulled.”

“Holy shit. Why?”

“Bored, I guess?”

“Is that why you two are fighting more now?”

“She blindsided me. I thought we... It wasn’t just... I wanted...”

“Did you love her?”

Did I love her? That’s the million-dollar question I ask myself.

At the side yard gate, I notice Simone talking to Rhodes, who disappears, leaving her alone.

Nico asks, “What?” and turns. When he notices Simone, he nods. “I’m heading home. Maybe you should try talking to her. For real this time.” He grips my upper arm as he leaves. I jog over to her. Upon hearing my approach, her eyes pop open, and she looks away.

I ask, “What do you think you were doing earlier?” She walks, and I follow, but she continues to ignore me, fueling my anger more. “Do you think I’m a toy? Do you get your kicks, making my life miserable now? Did you enjoy yourself?”

At first, she narrows her eyes and pretends to be confused. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“You know exactly what you did.”

With a scowl, Simone pivots toward the party. “Leave me alone, Rod.” Motherfucker, I’m about to lose it.

I stare at her ass as I follow her. She doesn’t return to the party but paces the area outside the fence. When she realizes I’m not leaving, she yanks her phone out of her purse to text someone. Probably Duke Douche.

I say, “You should’ve left me alone! You took advantage of me being upset about Birdy. Too bad it backfired.” Sort of.

She spins around, her blue eyes incensed. Still, they fly around me instead of looking at my face. “You? Upset about Birdy? Don’t make me fucking die from laughing! You couldn’t stand her. I’m the one who misses her! I’m the one who took care of her!”

“You want to try that again? Are you fucking high? You helped me! And I did not hate her! Right now, I kind of hate you more than anyone!”

“Awesome, because I hate you!”

“Oh. You hate me so much that you got yourself off in front of me? Oops, you failed this time. But if you hate that hard, sign me up!” I’m the one who failed. My dick still tingles.

She turns from me and more or less argues with the house. “I didn’t do that! Stop accusing me of doing shit that I never did! Now, you’re spreading rumors about me!”

“If the ho fits.”

Simone whirls around and slaps me. I can’t argue that I didn’t deserve it. But it stings more than it should. Simone then balls her fists and pounds my chest. “Fuck you!”

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