Page 102 of Clinch'd

Silence follows my statement before he drops back to the pillow and grunts, “I don’t know.”

“Lorri?”

“I ended it a while ago, but she needed a place to stay.”

“Great,” I say heavily, grabbing up my dress.

“Min…”

“This can’t work, Cooper. Lorri…shit.”

“Yeah? What about Beast?” he sneers and I roll my eyes.

“Beast was helping me out. We weren’tdating.”

“So? How’s that different?” he growls, grabbing his pants.

“You made me think you fucked my sister!” I yell, throwing a pillow at his face.

“Yeah, and you ruined my life,” he says, and I shiver at the chill to his tone.

Dropping my hands, I step into the bathroom and say as I close the door, “Which is why this will never work.”

Once the door is closed, I tap my head against the wood and suck back tears. I can’t believe I jumped back into bed with him, the asshole.

Whatever, just get the fuck out Minnie.

After peeing and donning my dress, I prepare to do the walk of shame, but I’m not prepared for what greets me in the living area.

Cooper’s sitting on the couch with his head in his hands while Beast stands looking out the window.

“This isn’t a good time,” Cooper says.

“Make it a good time,” he growls.

“Min—”

“Did you get anything?”

Cooper glances over his shoulder and I duck behind the door just in time. What the hell is going on?

“I tried everything,” Cooper says and Beast grunts, “I told you that she wouldn’t be easy to crack. She’s different.”

“Yeah, I don’t see you with the damn information,” Cooper says bitterly.

“I’m not the one pretending to fuck her sister! What were you thinking, you ass?” Beast says.

“Don’t get all preachy to me, fucker. You—“ Cooper starts when Beast swings around with a scowl only to pause as I step into the doorway. “Minnie?”

When Cooper stiffens and stands, I meet his wide-eyed stare and say, “What’s going on?”

Although I ask, I’m quite sure, I don’t want to know. Especially when Cooper bows his head, refusing to meet my gaze.

Ignoring his sigh, I turn to Beast who crosses his arms with his customary scowl.

“Well?” I rasp, slipping on my shoes. Something tells me I’m going to need them.

“I need to know,” Cooper says and my heart drops to my toes. Was this all a big set up? Have they been working together the whole time? Why?

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