Page 120 of Destroying Everleigh

Only pussy ass bitch boys would do something like that. If she didn’t want to speak to him, it was his own damn fault. Against my better judgment, I reined in my temper. It wasn’t like I could do much about it now. But maybe he could be of use.

“Has he ever done that before?” I asked, glancing over at Eve.

She shook her head. “It just happened so fast, it barely even registered.”

I turned to Lucas. “Will it happen again?”

“No,” he blurted out with wide eyes. “I didn’t even mean to.” He blew out a breath, tearing his hands through his hair andgetting blood in the light strands. “I reacted without thinking. I’m sorry, Everleigh. Truly. Please, believe that. I just wanted to talk to you and try working this out, but you were so dismissive…” he trailed off.

I had no reason to suspect he’d do it again. They weren’t together anymore. She needed to keep her house locked when she wasn’t home. What the hell was she thinking? “Everleigh is off limits to you,” I said slowly. “If I catch you talking to her, trying to talk to her, or doinganythingthat might make her uncomfortable, I’ll do more than beat your face in. I’ll obliterate you until there’s nothing left for the cops to find. With that being said, once I’m done with her, I’ll have her hand-delivered to you directly, and you can do whatever you want with her.”

Everleigh’s eyes snapped to mine in shock, like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. But I didn’t give a shit. She wasn’t mine and I owed her no protection. I just didn’t need this douchebag getting in my way.

“And when will that be?” Lucas asked cautiously.

“Soon. I only need her for a little while longer. After that, she’s dead to me.”

It was finally Saturday, which meant getting ready for the pool party tonight. Jameson and Kash were on liquor duty, leaving me to take care of the less fun things, like decorating. I didn’t understand the point of decorating. Everyone was going to be too drunk to give a shit about any of the decorations. Hell, they probably wouldn’t even remember where they were by the end of the night. We’d already taken care of most of the dust that hadformed near the corners of the ceiling and fans. As well as the vents, furniture, and other places it had built over time. The frat house was quickly coming together.

My muscles strained as I worked to push the large pool table near the front of the loft where it belonged. I probably should have waited for the guys to get back so they could help with this part, but fuck it. We could use the dining table downstairs for beer pong. The thought was an appealing one. All the girls would be naked, so their tits would be jiggling whenever they moved to toss a ball into one of the cups, or when they played pool even. Most people would probably stick to the actual pool, though. That’s what they were coming here for, after all.

The table was loud against the wooden floor, scraping against it as I shoved the table into its rightful place.

Once satisfied with its new positioning, I released a breath and popped my back before jogging down the steps. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and guzzled a decent amount before returning it. I think a break was in order.

Just as I was entering the living room, the front door swung open and Jameson and Kash staggered inside with bags in either hand.

Jameson glanced around with his lips drawn tight. “Did you even do anything?” he asked, moving toward the kitchen to set up the drinks.

I rolled my eyes, opting to join them by the center island. Jamie placed a bag on the counter and worked to remove the bottles from within it. “No,” I retorted dryly. “I’ve just been standing here the entire time waiting on you to get back.”

Kash snorted in amusement. “Looks that way.”

“Asshole. You were gone for less than thirty minutes.” I didn’t bother telling them what all I have done, because they could simply just go look for themselves. Plus, they were getting on my damn nerves.

I huffed out a breath when neither of them bothered to reply. Instead, they worked on setting all the hard liquor on the counter and placing the cold ones in the fridge.

“Are we using an ice chest?” Jameson asked, motioning to the Jello shots within Kash’s hands. “It’ll be annoying having to go to and from the pool room for drinks.”

I nodded in agreement. “I think there’s one in the basement, actually.”

“Thank fuck,” Kash murmured. “I didnotwant to go back to the store.”

I rolled my eyes and ventured back into the living room, dropping down on the couch. There were still a few more hours before guests would be showing up, and I fully intended on relishing the last bit of free time I had left.

Once the guys had the alcohol all put up, they joined me in the main room and took the other seats available on the couch. Jameson passed me a beer and I quickly popped the top off before bringing it to my lips. The bitter substance slid down my throat with ease. My mind has been a mess with everything that took place last night, and I still haven’t filled them in on it.

“Have you spoken to Amber?” Kash asked, cutting through the silence along with my inner turmoil.

Jameson tightened his jaw and shot me a glare, like it wasmyfault he cheated on her. I didn’t even think he gave a shit about her, but maybe I was wrong. “Nope. She’s been ignoring all my texts and calls. I’m pretty sure she blocked me on everything.” He took a drink from his own beer and settled back into the cushions. “Anytime we pass one another in the hallway, she acts like she doesn’t see me.”

“Maybe it’s for the best,” I offered. “You didn’t seem that into her to begin with. At least now, you don’t have to pretend.”

Jameson scoffed, glaring down at his drink. “Like you are?” he countered.

Confusion jolted through me at his response, and I racked my brain for what he might have been insinuating. “What?” I asked dumbly.

“Like you are,” he repeated, turning to face me. “You keep pretending to hate Everleigh, but anyone with eyes can see that’s not the fucking case. Either you’re lying to us about what this is, or you’re lying to yourself.” He shook his head in exasperation. “I’m done with this scheming bullshit. It’s not doing anyone any good. It’s a goddamn fixation. You need help, Ash.”

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