Page 63 of Clinch'd

“C’mon, you expect me to believe you wanted to fuck me because of Beast?” he says with a cruel smirk.

Balling up my fist, I swing toward his head, and he ducks at the last minute but it’s the chuckle that sends me over the edge.

“Stop the car,” I shriek. The driver looks up with a frown and Cooper says in a warning tone, “Minnie.”

“Fuck off,” I snarl, banging on the back of the seat. “Stop.”

The driver swerves to the curb, and I jump out as he says, “Your bags–”

“Keep them.” I stalk away as the car idles but I can’t be held responsible for what I might say if Cooper pushes this. With that in mind, I step out of view, leaning against the brick facade of a restaurant before sucking back my tears. Of all the rotten ass things to say.

Dick!

By the time I make it to the airport, I’m sick to my stomach. Not only from the leftover alcohol swishing around in my stomach but because I just paid a cab thirty fucking dollars to get here.

I manage to get on the plane just in time and take my seat, buckling in when the flight attendant announces our departure. With a groan, I lean my head against the seat and fight back the tide.

Finally, when we’re in the air, I rush to the bathroom and puke my guts out.

My face is positively green at this point, and I think I could go another round which is why I accept an alcoholic beverage when offered and pray that a little hair of the dog will take the edge off.

After that, I doze until we prepare to land, realizing as we touch down that I don’t have my bags. After my fit, I wouldn’t blame dick face if he left them behind.

Whatever. Feeling completely wasted, I glance up with a wan smile when Rafe appears beside me and offers me a ride to the hotel.

Nodding gratefully, I sit beside him and gaze out the window at another new city, and what should be a new experience except I’ve spent all my time worrying about fucking Cooper. Not that I have a choice which means I’m going to have to grovel to get back in his good graces. Do I have it in me?

To save Lorri yes but fuck me it’s going to be excruciating.

“A little word of advice,” Rafe says when we pull up to the hotel.

“Yeah,” I ask, eyeing him warily.

“Quit while you're ahead,” he says, exiting and offering his hand.

I take it reluctantly and look up when Cooper snarls, “Here.”

He drops my bags at my feet and stalks away. Helplessly, I stare after him, until Rafe picks up my duffel bag.

Trailing after him, I rub my aching brow. Why is everything so fucked up?

Chapter 24

Cooper

After Minnie stormed from the car, I considered my options, one of which was to get out and spank her damn ass. Instead, I waved the driver on. I was too fucking angry to have a conversation with her and it was just as much for her benefit as mine that I did.

I knew I could be a mean sonabitch when I was angry, and Minnie continued to press every fucking button I had. We were better off exactly where we were…which was miles fucking apart.

Still when we pulled up to the airport, I kept my eyes peeled and only managed to relax when I saw her walk through the doors. Since I wasn’t a complete dick, I paid to check her luggage and proceeded to hide like a pussy in a bar.

When Rafe passed, his lips curled in a smirk, I ignored him and the fucking headache brewing at the base of my neck.

Instead, I texted my brother and settled in to watch the game.

Later, I received an answer as I was boarding the flight, and my spirits sank when he replied:nothing yet.

Fuck me when would this ride to hell be over?

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