Page 131 of My Ruthless Neighbor

I bury my head in my hands. They tremble. Breathing hard, I curl them into fists.

The lights come back on again. Then goes out before it starts flickering. I stare around in bafflement.

A cold sweat breaks out on my forehead.

A hand lands on my back. This time, I whirl around abruptly and come face to face with a Ghostface Mask.

My blood runs cold, launching me into action. Working on impulse, I grab their upper arms and flung them around as I slam them against the wall, hard.

I dig my fingers into their skin, adrenaline pumping.

“Archer…” A startled gasp of pain fills the air. “It’s m-me…”

That exact moment, the flickering of the lights halt. The electricity is back. I snatch the mask off them. “Summer?”

“Hey,” she tries to smile but winces, probably hurt from the force I slammed her against the wall.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” I roar and she flinches.

“Surprise!”

I twist my head and find Hannah carrying a cake alongside Raleigh. The entire creative team comes out of their hiding spots wearing party hats.

But the smile on their faces is wiped out.

“What’s going on?” Hannah asks.

“That should be my question, don’t you think?” I ask, grinding my teeth.

Raleigh steps forward, a frown marring his forehead. “We’re here for you, man. It’s your birthday.”

“You know I don’t like all this.”

“I know. We always wanted to do this for you but today when Summer came up with a plan—”

“So it was Summer’s plan.” I face her. “Did you enjoy pranking me? Did you record it?”

Her face becomes red, hurt shining in her eyes. “I was just trying to—”

“You were trying to what?” I bark.

“I wanted to make you smile.” Her chin trembles.

“By pulling a cheap stunt like that? When will you fucking grow up, Summer?”

Hannah steps in between us. She pushes me away not so gently and wraps an arm around Summer. “This is not fair, Archer. She did this to lighten you up.”

Brielle walks over to them. “You know she canceled her meeting and a paid photoshoot for this. She got your favorite—”

“Did I ask her to do it?” I ask sardonically.

Summer’s head jerks up. Unshed tears fill her eyes, her nose red. “He’s right.” She glances at Brielle than Hannah. “I shouldn’t have done this. I overstepped my boundaries.” Her voice cracks but she forces a smile.

“I am sorry.” She sniffles then turns around and runs.

Silence lasts for about a minute before Raleigh stalks to me, his jaw clenched. “What the fuck is wrong with you? That girl is still technically broke but didn’t think twice before cancelling her shoot—which may affect her career by the way—foryouand you treated her like shit.”

Jason clutches his shoulder. “Raleigh, don’t.”

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