Page 17 of Raise 'Em Up

“I know, I know.” I sigh. “Trust me, I’m not happy about it either. But I’ll tell you everything when I get home, okay?”

“Fuck,” he hisses, and I hear someone talking to him in the background. “Fine, okay. I want to hear all about it when I get back. I’m about to get on the plane to head home, I’ll call you when I land.”

“Okay,” I tell him. “Have a good flight. Bye.”

“Bye, baby.”

We hang up and I sigh, pushing myself off the wall and heading toward the bar. I need a damn drink.

“For fuck’s sake,” I whisper to myself when I see that Barbie is working at the bar.

“Oh. Rylee,” she says, blinking at me in surprise. “You’re back?”

“Hopefully not for much longer,” I mutter. “Can I get a rum and coke, please?”

“Sure.” She gives me a tight smile. “So,” she says as she grabs a glass. “Just back for the holidays?”

“Yup.” I look down at my phone, playing on it, because she is the last person I want to have a conversation with. I plan on taking my drink and grabbing a seat, to avoid her as much as I can.

“Still at that fancy school?” she huffs.

That has me looking up. “Where else would I be?”

“I don’t know. I just assumed you’d be back by now.” She shrugs, pouring in a shot.

“Well, I’m not.” And I sure as hell am not going to tell her that I’m technically kicked out either.

“Honestly, I’m glad you left.” She smiles, placing the glass down on the counter. “With you gone, Chaz was able to clear his mind and see he deserved much better.”

A laugh bubbles out of my throat, earning me a dirty look from her. “You're kidding me, right?”

“No,” she snips. “Chaz is a good man. A smart and kind man. You pulled him around on a leash like a puppy, never appreciating him for the man he is.”

“We’re talking about the same guy, right?” I gape at her in disbelief. “Because, trust me, hunny, he’s anything but a good man.”

“You're just jealous that he’s moved on. Found someone better.” She huffs, crossing her arms.

My lip twitches in amusement. “I had no idea he’d met someone new, therefore, I couldn’t be jealous even if I wanted to. Honestly, I couldn't care less what that guy does. But let me guess, you're the lovely lady who snatched up such a good man?”

“That's right.” She grins. “We’re together now. He finally realized he deserved much better than you.”

“Right,” I drawl out. “And that's you.”

“It is. I love him and he loves me. We’re perfect for each other.”

“That one, I won’t disagree on.” I laugh.

“You lost a good man,” she says, growing more annoyed with me. “And you're just pissed that you can’t find anyone better.”

“No, hunny.” I smile, standing up from the stool. “I lost a low life, pathetic little boy who has no goals in life apart from screaming and using people.”

She scoffs, gaping at me with rage-filled eyes. “Lies.”

“Nah, the only lie is how big he says his dick is. While you're enjoying his four inches, I’m enjoying a mind blowing seven.” Her eyes widen.

“You're full of shit.”

“Nope, just full of cock.” I cackle. “Sorry to tell you, I’ve got not one but five guys who adore me. And you have one who will end up either cheating on you, like he did with me, or using you.”

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