Page 41 of Enraged

“I didn’t say you had a lot of competition. I said you were the best.”

Sitting the bottle on the coffee table, he rolled his eyes. “I’ll carry the title proudly.”

“As you should.”

We stared at the fire in silence, the flames making the shadows dance.

“We forgot to call our parents!” I jumped up. “Fuck!”

The room wiggled a little, either from the Jack or the jumping up so quickly.

“Relax.” He took another sip. “I called Big Jake, Chief Hennessy, and your parents earlier on the way to the liquor store.”

What?

“You were callin’ everybody in Creek’s Edge, and you couldn’t call me to tell me where you were so I would know that you weren’t dead?”

“Your phone was off, fruit loop,” he reminded me. “I sent a text, but it didn’t deliver.”

Oh yeah… I’m ridiculous.

“I forgot. What did my parents say?”

He chuckled. “They were grateful you weren’t up here alone. Your daddy thanked me for clockin’ Jace.”

Sounds like daddy.

“It’s a wonder he didn’t get him before you did. You know my daddy don’t play ‘bout me.”

He laughed. “I think the only thing that stopped him was your mama. The only thing he is more adamant about than protecting you is listenin’ to Mrs. Charlie.”

I smiled proudly. “You ain’t wrong. He does his best not to ruffle her feathers.”

“All men should take notes.”

Using the hair tie on my wrist, I twisted my hair into a neat bun. “Mutual respect is all I’m after. Oh, and not stickin’ your dick in my friends.”

“What a coincidence. I like my coffee a little similar. Without other people’s dick in it.”

The sip of whiskey I was trying to swallow came flying out of my nose and I started to sputter.

He reached over, patting me on the back. “You okay? What the fuck was that?”

“I was tryin’ to swallow, and you made me laugh… now I’m sticky!” I whined.

“So many jokes, so little time.”

I rolled my eyes. “Shut up. I’m sticky now and I can’t shower!”

I hate being unable to shower.

“Go get in the hot tub,” he suggested. “I’ll go with you.”

In a winter storm, bro?

“It’s literally sleeting outside,” I reminded him.

He stood up, extending his arm to help me to my feet. “So? The back deck is covered, and the water is hot. It’s in the description.”

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