Page 95 of Finish Line

Dom moves close to Carrie’s face, then winks at me. “No.”

A relieved sigh escapes. I’m going to kill him later for that.

“You were involved in hypnotizing us.” He takes a step back. “You sicken me, Carrie.”

The color drains from Carrie’s face. “H-Hannah told me what to say!” She reaches out for Dom as he walks away from her. “I wasn’t sure what would happen.”

Dom’s arms wrap around me, his hands settling on my stomach.

“But you didn’t stop once you found out what it did, did you?” I say. “You took full advantage of it.”

“Hell, yeah, I did,” Carrie says. “He’s mine and proved how much he missed me that weekend. We didn’t leave the bed at all.”

Dom exhales, sounding more tired than the jet lag caused him to be. “You’re a lying bitch. Touching you or the thought of touching you disgusted me. Kissing you made me ill. Even though I was hypnotized, I knew being with you was wrong. So, stop trying to make people believe that happened. Hell, I broke up with you that night!”

“Then, why did you let me hang all over you for the next month?” Smugness drips from Carrie’s voice.

“It was a deterrent for the other girls at this school, who, thanks to you, thought ‘No’ wasn’t an answer!” Dom says with frustration. “I need you to listen to me, Carrie, ’cause I won’t say this again. I want nothing to do with you. No matter what you do, I will always come back to Shelby. You’re nothing compared to her.”

He kisses my head, then walks toward her. “Oh, yeah, before I forget. Your father will receive a call from mine today saying that Knight Technology won’t be doing business with Dockery Metal anymore.”

Carrie’s mouth falls open. “You can’t do that. It would bankrupt my father.”

“Not my problem. I didn’t have to convince Dad, either. He’s been thinking about it for years since he doesn’t like how your father does business. He held off because of me. I gave him the go-ahead.” He walks back over, leans against Nick’s truck, and holds me in front of him, resting his hands on my hips.

Her hand moves to her chest. “We’ll be disgraced. We’ll have to move.”

Mav chuckles. “I’d start packing, if I were you.”

Carrie reels back as if he slapped her. “But, Dom!”

“God, Dom.” Luke walks to where Dom holds me like a shield. “Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard when she whines. How did you stand it for so long?”

“Earplugs,” Dom deadpans.

I think he’s joking before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out custom-fitted earplugs. I laugh, and Dom winks at me again, returning the earplugs to his pocket. Oh, that is priceless!

“The rest of you better listen as well.” Mav raises his voice so the gathered crowd can hear. “Nothing you do will take us away from Shelby. Go find someone else to hound.”

“She’s it for us!” Luke grabs my hand with the engagement ring, raising it so Carrie and the others can see, as he kisses my fingers.

Gasps sound from the group of girls before Maddie comes forward. “I’m pregnant.”

Incredulous, I raise my eyebrow at her.

Mav scowls, but his voice remains calm. “Congratulations. Who’s the father? Because you’re not saying it’s mine. Like my brother with Carrie, I wouldn’t touch you!” Mav erupts, stepping toward a stunned Maddie. “Don’t you dare try to pull this shit with me!”

“I think it’s time for you to leave.” Luke ushers Mav over to the car.

Carrie stands her ground, eyeing me as the rest of the Barbie Squad scampers away. “You’ll pay for this.”

I shrug, smiling. “You can try.”

Turning on Nick, she sneers. “Where’s your sister? This is her fault.”

“You’re just noticing Hannah is gone? Some friend you are.” Nick shakes his head at how self-absorbed Carrie is. “She’s far away from you, where you can never sink your claws into her again.”

She huffs, tossing her hair over her shoulder before she stalks away.

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