Page 23 of Quake

“I mean, with your crazy fucking mother’s history, it’s totally possible!”

My eyes flare, and I gape at him. “What did you just say?” I ask, cocking my head to the side. I feel all the blood rushing in my ears as Tyler starts to stammer before regaining some of that audacity he had just moments ago.

“You fucking heard me, Lark. And is it really cheating if you won’t fuck your own boyfriend? I mean, come on! I’ve been trying to get you to have sex with me for months, and you won’t. I haveneeds,Lark! I’m a man. Okay? I was just making sure my needs were met.”

At that, the woman pushes him off her abruptly. “Meeting your needs?” she seethes. “We’ve been together fortwo years,Tyler! What the fuck do you mean?”

My stomach drops.Two years? How could I not have noticed?

The tall blonde looks at me as she rushes to get dressed. She plucks her jeans off the ground, sliding them up her long legs as she peers up at me. “I’m so sorry, girl. I honestly had no idea.” She shakes her head, gathering the rest of her belongings and making a mad dash toward the front door.

If she’d have stopped to look around before jumping straight into his bed, she sure as shit would’ve noticed all ofmybelongings. But ignorance is bliss, I guess. For the ignorant one, anyway.

As soon as she opens the bedroom door, Tiny and Rex bolt inside. Tiny stands guard in front of me just as Rex flings his small body at Tyler.

I have no time to react as Rex bites down on Tyler’s balls, eliciting a blood-curdling screech from Tyler. He’s flapping his hands, his face turning beet red as he dances around the room screaming.

“Get him off! Get him off me!” he hollers, grabbing a pillow from the bed and smacking it at Rex. “You crazy fucking bitch and your crazy fucking demented-ass dog!” he yells as he spins around the room with Rex dangling between his legs, his jaw clamped shut.

I’m both horrified andelated.

A smile curves my lips before laughter bubbles over at the sheer absurdity. Tyler finally manages to unclamp Rex’s jaws before throwing him across the bed.

My smile disappears instantly, replaced by a scowl and narrowed eyes. “What the fuck!” I yell at him as I run to Rex, who looks up at me with a lazy smile, but the moment Tyler nears, Rex growls a long, low hum of warning.

“Get your crazy-ass dogs andleave!” he shouts at me as if I hadanyplans to stay here.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters, frantically gripping his bleeding testicles, applying pressure with a T-shirt he found on the floor—likely thrown there when he was so hurriedly fucking hisother girlfriendwhile I was supposed to be at work. Debra did me a huge favor by getting sick and calling out today. If she hadn’t, I might have never known that he was living a double life.

“Have fun dealing with,” I wave at his bleeding scrotum, “that.”

I spin on my heel, making my way to the door. I leash up Tiny and Rex and head out the door.1

1. I Will Not Bow — Breaking Benjamin

Chapter thirteen

Lark

“Alright, boys, I’m just gonna get you inside, and once you’re all settled in, I’ll call Dad so he can help me sort this mess out.” Tiny wags his tail as he enters the clinic, with Rex trotting closely behind. Both of them are blissfully unaware that our lives are about to change forever. Not that they’d care. They’ve always hated Tyler, and I officially see why.

How many times have they been locked in that office while he’s cheated on me in our bed?

Betty’s dark bob pops up over the counter at my entrance, and she rubs her chin. “Hey, weren’t you going to take a nap?” She looks down at her computer, then back up at me. “You’ve got another hour before shift change.”

“Yeah, I found Tyler cheating on me, so I’m just gonna take a nap in the office while I look for a place to stay,” I say blandly.

Her brows shoot up her smooth forehead, and she stands abruptly, keeping her hands planted on her desk as she stares at me wide-eyed. “Hewhat? Oh my god, Lark! Are you okay?”

“Yep, peachy keen. Honestly, the fact that I’m not more upset about it probably means I shouldn’t have stuck around so long anyway.” I shrug.

Seriously, is this the denial phase of grief or something?

I don’t think so since I’m definitely not denying what I’d just seen, nor am I denying that my ex is a piece of shit.

“I mean, I can’t disagree, but that’s horrible,” she says, her voice empathetic. “I’m so sorry! Let me know if I can help with anything.” She pauses. “You know, you’re welcome to stay with me while you find a place.”

I give her a small smile. “I appreciate the offer, but you and Bran have a toddler at home. You don’t need me taking up space. I’ll be okay, I promise. I’ll even let my dad help me out, just this once.” I wink, heading in the direction of my office.

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