Page 84 of Toxic Wishes

He parks his car and gets out quickly, leaving me no time to flee.

“Abigail,” he calls out my name, and I wish I were somewhere else. He opens my car door.

“Excuse me,” I say, reaching for the handle.

“Rude.”

“No, leaving without fucking telling me is rude. Why did you leave like that?” He barks.

“Leave like what? We drove together, we didn’t go together.” I say, getting out of the car.

He shut the door and corners me.

“What’s your damn deal?” I fight back.

“No, what’s your deal? It’s common courtesy to let the guy who told his brother he would take you home that you're leaving. But instead, you vanish without a word. I mean, what the fuck? I don’t have your phone number. The least you could do was tell me some other guy was taking you, Ash.” He says my name as if it’s poison on his tongue.

I narrowed my eyes on him. “Really? You think another guy brought me here?”

“Well, how else would you get here? And don’t think I don’t know how these sneaky tricks work, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart.

My heart squeezes at the memory of Blake calling me by that name.

“But this isn’t a hotel. Bringing guys around to fuck while you live under my roof was not on the menu. If you are going to fuck them, make sure they have their place, for Christ's sake.”

I take my hand to slap him, but he is too quick. Holy shit, he’s strong.

“Watch it, little girl.” I wasn’t sure if he was referring to my size or age. Either way, I was not too fond of his condescending tone.

“If I want to fuck a guy, guess what? I can. I’m a grown woman, and you aren’t my dad. I don’t have to tell you shit. I told you before, I don't need your help. Hence why I’m fucking leaving. Tonight, now, let- me-go.”

Still holding my wrist, he squeezes it tighter, and I can see the moment the skin around his eyes soften as he stares at me before they go back to piercing through my soul.

“You’re leaving?” I see the muscles in his jaw clench.

“Ya, so don’t worry. I won’t be your problem anymore. But lucky me, my fucking car won’t start. But that won’t stop me. I’ll be gone tonight; I can return and get my car in the morning.”

“Why are you trying to leave?” He asks with more force this time.

“Does it matter?” I try to get my hand free, but he grips it tighter. “Let me go, Colt.”

“No,” he grabs my other hand and pins it to the car. “Not until you tell me why you’re trying to leave. Did you steal something, and now you’re trying to run?”

“What? No!” I shout.

Is he serious? Haven’t I been insulted enough tonight? Now I have to deal with this shit.

“Are you hiding drugs or something?”

“No!”

“Then what is it?” He almost growls at me.

“Because I’m embarrassed!”

His eyes look between mine. “I’m fucking embarrassed to think for a second that maybe-” I groan. “Just forget it.”

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