Page 13 of Regrets

I feel him move right behind me, his hands gripping my arms, but not pressing up against me. “You acting out, P?” I close my eyes again, hating this day, hating that I’ve spent every birthday of Colt’s with him since his tenth, until now. “Because of the date on the calendar?”

I swallow, brushing the water out of my eyes as I turn to face him, still looking only at his face. I won’t give him the satisfaction of ogling him. I like pissing him off by acting like he’s unimpressive. “That’s all today is to you? A date on the calendar?”

His eyes darken, and I know he’s trying to act as if he doesn’t care, but he’s swimming in the same sea of regret and sadness I am. “It’s just like any other day.”

I shake my head, letting the water rinse the conditioner from my hair, not saying anything.

“What are your plans for today?”

I move out of the water as I grab a loofah and let him rinse off. When he turns away to wash his face, I allow myself one curious look. My eyes move over strong, muscular arms and down to a perfectly sculpted, round ass before I grab my body wash and lather myself up.

“I’m going to one class this afternoon, and then, there’s a frat party I’m going to tonight.”

He turns around to look at me quickly, water dripping down his chest and the ridges of his abs. I catch myself before I look any lower as he sounds annoyed, “Frat party?”

“Yes, Linc. A frat party.” I nudge his body out of the way so I can rinse off. “I need to get laid.”

“Judging from your appearance when you got home, I would say you did yesterday.”

I shrug and open the shower door, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around me. “It sucked. I need a good lay.”

He turns the water off and grabs his own towel, securing it around his waist. “And you think a frat boy is going to help you with that?”

I shrug and brush my teeth at the sink, spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing the basin with water. “I guess we’ll see.”

“P.” He grabs my arm before I can leave, causing me to look up at him. “I’m going with you.”

“What? No.”

“Yes. Or you’re not going.”

I furrow my brow, irritated by him telling me what to do. “You’re not the boss of me.”

“You either take me with you or find a new fucking place to live.”

I jerk my arm out of his hold. “You wouldn’t dare kick me out.”

His face hovers near mine, his masculine body wash seeping into my senses. “Fucking try me. I don’t have to please my parents all the time. I’m nothim.”

I swallow, my throat feeling dry and my chest aching just from his mention of Colt. “No. Shit.”

He takes a step back. “What time are we leaving?”

I hate him. He’s infuriating, but I promised Nora I would at least give it a full year, and I have no doubt the pissy asshole will kick my ass out. He’s right, he’s never felt the need to please his parents. “Nine.”

He nods as I leave the bathroom, walking down the hall to my bedroom to sit on the end of my bed and sob into my hands.

I’m sorry, Colt.

8

LINC

Icould kill her. It would be a lot fucking easier than trying to keep her safe. And she’s definitely determined to kill herself.

I don’t want to be her keeper. And Ireallydon’t want to go to a goddamn frat party tonight, but my sister showing up yesterday and her little speech got into my head.

It’s clear P is spinning out of control. I mean, Jesus Christ, walking into the shower with me this morning?What the hell is she trying to do to me?

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