Page 144 of Dare To Live

Lacy’s expression twists. “What is she doing in your room?”

I step into her line of sight, blocking her view of Eli. “Don’t look at him. You look at me.”

“We’re not here for you.”

The control on my anger unravels, and my patience snaps. “Well guess what? Surprise, I’m here, and I’m not fucking moving.”

She huffs and rolls her eyes. “Why do you always have to be in the way?”

I take a step toward her. “Keep rolling your eyes, bitch. You might just find a brain back there.”

Brad straightens. “Don’t speak to my wife like that.”

I hold up my finger to silence him. “When I’m talking to you, Brad, you’ll know.”

The ex-cheerleader raises her chin and glares at me. “This is between Eli and me. Unfinished business.”

“You don’t have any unfinished fucking business with him.” I smile. “Eli is mine. So why don’t you fuck off?”

Lacy sweeps me from head to toe with one of her classic venomous looks. In the past, I would have backed down, not wanting to cause a scene. Today it only incites my anger more.

“I don’t see his ring on your finger.”

“And because of that, you thought you’d come on over here and offer yourself to him? What was your plan … to talk him into a threesome?”

Brad’s cheeks flush with color. “Well, I—”

“Fuck, no,” Eli mutters from behind me. “I’d rather gouge my eyes out with a spoon.”

I struggle not to laugh at the comical expressions of fury and embarrassment rippling over the couple’s expressions at Eli’s words. They really thought they had a chance to seduce him into bed? How delusional are they?

“Eli,” Lacy whines. “Remember how I made you feel good? How you groaned when I sucked you off. You couldn’t get enough of my mouth wrapped around your cock. You said I was the best you’d ever had.”

I glance at the man behind me.

“What? I was seventeen and wanted to get off.” He shrugs. “She gave me a blow job once. If she’d really been any good at it, I might have gone back for more.”

I arch an eyebrow at him. “Seriously?”

“Kitten, this was way before you started at the school.” His lips tilt. “Are you jealous, Hellcat?”

“Of her? I don’t fucking think so.” I am. Jealousy is eating me alive.

“Oh please, like you’re such a saint, Arabella Gray. If I remember correctly, you spread your legs for a couple of masked boys and let them record you. How much of a dumb bitch can you be? You were more of a whore for dick than I was.”

At her words the molten anger within me solidifies into a hard ball within my chest.

Who the fuck does she think she’s talking to?

I’m not an insecure, shy eighteen-year-old anymore. I’m a strong, capable grown-ass woman who refuses to be intimidated by bullies.

“I’ve been called worse by better.”

Lacy’ sneers. “If your mother hadn’t married Eli’s father, you’d still be in the dumpster in Hicksville, making money as a second-rate hooker.”

I fight the desire to punch her. “Your ass must be jealous of all the shit that comes out of your mouth.”

“You will never be one of us, Arabella.”

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