Page 133 of Forbidden You

“This has nothing to do with my dad, Kayla!” I snap, pointing my fire-blazing gaze at her. She’s looking composed and way more in control of her emotions than I am, but her blue eyes are filled with a fury that matches mine.

“There are a shit-ton of comments sitting on my tongue that would be a very childish way to tell you you’re being an asshole, but let’s try this the adult way before you throw my age at my face. What is wrong,Bodi?”

“Nothing!” I slam my palm on the desk, and I watch how she flinches. She gasps, taking a step back with horror written all over her face. “I just need you to get the fuck out of my office and do your goddamn job for once!” I shout.

She stares, just blinking, her upper lip lifting into a snarl as she slowly takes another step back.

“What is wrong with you?” The disappointment is clear in her voice.

A lot, baby.

“What is wrong with me?” I counter, yelling.

She swallows hard, her eyes giving me some kind of distress I haven’t seen before as she straightens her back, her chin raised. For a split second, I wonder if it’s fear, but before I can give it too much thought, I snap again.

“What is wrong withyou!” Viciously, I point my finger at her. “Since day one, you’ve been acting like you own this place, waltzing in whenever you want. It’s enough, Kayla. Stop being a fucking teenager who doesn’t give a damn, and do your fucking job!”

Round of applause for that one, lads.I’m so fucked up.

My throat swells up, but I push it away by inhaling loudly through my nose.

She holds still, her chest slowly moving up and down. Whatever I thought was fear in her eyes is now gone, the light blue now ice cold.

She nods in disbelief, and I feel sick, wishing I could take it all back, but something inside of me won’t let me stop the massacre I’m causing.

But I can’t be that guy for her.

“Have I made myself clear?” I add.

She snickers. It’s filled with contempt and sadness. I can feel it, even though I do my best to ignore it.

“Crystal.” Her mouth pinches before she offers me a smile that doesn’t match her eyes.

It hurts like hell having her standing in front of me like this.

“Great,” I mutter. “Now get back to work. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

I must have lost my mind.

She gives me a mock salute, and I watch her stomp out of my office before she slams the door behind her with a deafening thud, and I bury my head in my hands.

Because I can’t be that fucking guy for her.

36

How can I murder my boss and get away with it?

With pursed lips I ponder about my options until Rae picks up the phone.

“Bodi is an asshole. Did you already know that?” I ask before she even has the time to sayhi.

“I have not had the honor of meeting his asshole version yet, but that’s mostly because his best friend, a.k.a my boyfriend, seems to be the better man for the job.” Rae’s voice is laced with amusement. “You wanna enlighten me, though?”

“I hate him.”

“I’m pretty sure you don’t.”

Tears prick the backs of my eyes and I stop, pressing my eyes shut to prevent them from escaping before I put my feet back in motion.

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