Page 83 of Clinch'd

This isn’t to say she doesn’t care about me; I just think she doesn't have the same connection because she was younger and found a home with two parents and a fucking dog. They loved her as their own and she still goes home to them on holidays. When I’m not feeling particularly pathetic, I go too but it’s really fucking weird, so I avoid it.

This is the only bright side to her birthday coming up, because I don't have to feel an obligation to be around her second family, the one who actually did their job. Now she can take Cooper home with her. Ugh. What a fucking mess.

I don't even know what that means. Is he truly dating her? Like exclusively? And is it only to get back at me? Surely not. It doesn’t make much sense.

I mean I know I’m about to do the same thing with Beast, but I’m not moving in with the jerk. He essentially uprooted her and brought her to his home. Diabolical.

I text Lorri on her birthday, because even though I’ve been too prideful to really speak to her, I don't want her to miss my good wishes. She doesn't know about Cooper unless he told her and I’d like to think she wouldn't be that much of a bitch, but then again...I’m about to show up on Beast’s arm so I guess I can't complain.

This is all so weird, that my brain hurts—literally.

I’m just pulling up to Beast’s apartment in a rented town car he sent for me when my phone buzzes and pulling it out absently, I see it's a message from Lorri.

Thx! Love you! Xo

With the message is a picture of her with Cooper. He’s standing behind her, with his arm around her waist and his chin on her shoulder, grinning devilishly into the camera. My stomach clenches painfully at the image, and I wonder if the smirk is for me, or if he’s forgotten about me completely now that he’s in her arms.

Which is fucking crazy because if nothing else, I shouldn’t be wishing for my sister’s damn boyfriend or whatever the fuck he is to be thinking about me. Right? Shit.

Beast slides in beside me with a grunt and off we go. This is our first appearance as a couple and I’m a little nervous. I mean, I’ve come to see that Beast isn't as bad as I thought but there’s really no spark between us and I’m sure if anybody with half a brain bothers, they can see that.

Which is why I’m eyeing him grimly while we make our way downtown to a party he’s been invited to. Sensing my gaze, he swivels to look at me and says, “What?”

“Nothing,” I whisper, turning away.

Since I still don't have a wardrobe of my own, I’m wearing one of the dresses Lorri deemed not worthy. It's tight and hugs my booty and tits, but I toned it down by pulling a flowy top over it, so I’m a little more subdued, or as subdued as one can be wearing next to nothing.

“Hm,” he says before turning back to his side of the car.

My feet already hurt, but I couldn't pass up the heels because anything else wouldn’t complement the outfit. My hair is curled, hanging around my waist in shiny waves and I went with dark, deep makeup that makes my gray eyes pop. It's the best I can do, and the entire time I was applying it, I kept thinking of Cooper’s disdainful expression as he compared me to my sister.

We pull up to a high-rise apartment and I look around curiously when we exit, smiling when Beast turns back with a sardonic expression and helps me from the car.

“You’re learning,” I beam, and he grunts, but his mouth twitches.

“Ha! Let’s go, sugar plum,” he chuffs, pulling me along behind him.

Sugarplum? Bemused I follow quietly, nerves eating at my stomach the closer we get to the door. I should be no stranger to pretending at this point but I’m still unsure how this is going to play out. Maybe I’m wasting my damn time but if I am, I’m determined to at least have fun.

The party is raging when we get inside, and I should expect no less, but I’m still shocked by the amount of sex happening around me with abandon.

Beast pulls me into the kitchen and hands me a beer before we step out onto the balcony. The apartment is on the top floor, andI suck in a breath at the beauty before me before glancing around with a smile.

Beast is already turned away and greeting a friend, so I settle on one of two couches facing the skyline and sip my beer. It’s awkward because I don’t know anyone but after another drink I loosen up and join my fake boyfriend amongst a group of guys.

“Who’s this?” A guy standing across from me asks with a playful smile.

Beast wraps his arm around me and grunts, “This is Minnie, my girl.”

Flushing under his attention even if it’s fake, I snuggle against him and smile shyly.

“Minnie, eh? That’s an unusual name. You’re not the Minnie that Jackson was talking shit about are you?”

My heart stutters and the smile drops from my lips. Vaguely, I feel Beast tighten his grip around me as I whisper, “What?”

“Yeah,” the guy says, warming up to his story. “Totally said he’d rather—“

Numbly, I stare, his words ringing in my ears until Beast interrupts, growling, “The fucker is a jealous dick.”

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