Page 200 of The Sidekick

“No,” he denies me flatly, and I groan in disappointment. “However, I can shuffle things around to get him on another team.”

Meaning Shade might leave town.

“I…” I trail off as the depressing thought circles. “I understand. If it keeps him safe and happy, I’ll do it.”

“Get me proof.”

“Yes, sir,” I say sternly. I’m going to give him so much proof he’ll choke on it.

When he hangs up, I stare at the phone dismally. I don’t want Shade to leave. He’s the dictator I didn’t know I needed. Maybe South can kidnap him.

Speaking of.

My finger is just about to press her contact when an angry voice startles me.

“You’re a fucking slut.”

Oh no. Am I about to witness a catfight? Should I call the cops?

I turn slowly to see who’s speaking and find Emily behind me. There’s no one else with her. I look at her in confusion.

“Yeah, you,” she stabs a finger at me, forcing me to step back to keep from being poked.

“You have a boyfriend already. Does he know you’re fucking Max on the side? Or is it Trevor? Both? Jesus, you have no self-respect.”

I gape at her in shock.

“Don’t play the stupid innocent card on me,” she gives me a grim smile as she gets closer. I keep backing away, at a loss for words.

“You had us all so snowed with the goody-goody act. Little Tera is so sweet and innocent. What bullshit. But you’re still a complete moron.”

What. The. Heck.

I don’t have to listen to this.

I turn on my heel to march away, and she grabs my arm to spin me back. The movement makes me slide in my shoes. As soon as I face her, I get a slap across the face.

The move stuns me and brings tears to my eyes. My hand flutters up to rest on my cheek.

“What is wrong with you?” I ask in shock.

“Stupid sluts like you. Keep away from them.”

“No,” I sputter indignantly.

“Fine,” she lifts her hands up and begins to back away. “Sal is in there right now telling your boyfriend all about what you’re up to.”

“Ok?” I give a disbelieving laugh at her smug tone.

“She’s planning on comforting him when he finds out,” Emily adds with a smirk. “She’s going to find out if the tattoos are on his dick too.”

“Excuse me?” I take a few steps forward with a scowl. She better not even think about touching Asher. I don’t know what I’ll do in retaliation, but I’ll think of something.

“Aw, are you mad?” She asks in a baby voice, mocking me. “It sucks when you get caught, doesn’t it? That’s what you get for touching people who aren’t yours.”

I open my mouth to begin ranting when a delicate hand reaches out to clasp the side of Emily’s head. Dark blue nails dig into her cheek as she gets thrown into the wall at our side. Her head hits with a dull thump, and she sags down to the ground, unconscious. At least, I hope she’s unconscious.

My mouth drops open as the person who slid up behind her stands to her full height. I look up at the tall figure in shock. Her dark blue hair is pulled into two tight buns, and her bright green eyes are dispassionate as she takes me in. Despite the tank top showing off her muscled biceps and black tattoos, she doesn’t look like she could do that much damage to someone.

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