Page 43 of Taming Georgia

I think of Georgia, a popular girl from a very rich family, and realize that I’m everything she’s not. I don’t care about any of that stuff. I’d want her regardless of her status, but I’m smart enough to know that, to many, it does matter, that all that shit matters. I just didn’t think it was important to her.

“Whatever. Believe what you want. I don’t like you, man, but I also don’t want to see Georgia make a complete fool of you either. I mean…think about it,” Kevin says.

Turning back, I glare toward the two of them.

“Why did she tell us to hang out at the library and have our phones ready to record? Do you normally see us in the library? No, it’s not our scene, man.” Kevin looks to Dwight and then back to me. “You can’t honestly think a girl like Georgia would be into white trash like you, can you? You know how rich she is, right? Her daddy, for one, would never let that fly.”

Kevin laughs, and I have an overwhelming desire to punch that cocky grin off his pampered face.

I stand, scowling at the two of them. My thoughts are all over the place.

Kevin shrugs. “Whatever. Believe what you want. Can’t fix stupid.” He playfully punches Dwight’s shoulder, and the two of them turn to leave.

“Let me see the video,” I say.

Kevin lifts an eyebrow and grabs his phone from his back pocket. He holds the phone out to me, and I see Georgia and I kissing through the glass of the study room door.

“But, you know, Dwight and I always randomly hang in the library with our phones on record, right?” The sarcasm drips from his words.

“Delete it,” I warn.

“But Georgia needs it to get her—”

I cut him off, “I said, fucking delete it.” I step toward him, pulling my shoulders back.

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll just tell her I was too late to catch the kiss.” He shrugs and deletes the video. “It’s not like she needs another hundred anyway, but you really should be careful of who you trust. I get that you’re not the brightest, but come on, Gates.”

“Walk away before I punch you both the fuck out,” I advise through clenched teeth.

Kevin and Dwight laugh.

“Nah, you wouldn’t do that.” Kevin grins smugly. “You’d lose your scholarship and be forced to go to the poor-ass school in your neighborhood. I mean, you’d be trash either way, but at least here, you’re trash with a somewhat decent education. Maybe it will count for something?”

Dwight laughs, and he sounds like a girl.

They’re not worth it.

No one in this fucking place is worth it.

Especially her.

And now, I’m late for work.

12

“Georgia makes it impossible to hate her. She’s incredibly annoying in that way.”—Wyatt Gates

“I don’t think so, buddy,” I say to Cooper as he buries himself back under the comforter. He’s so spoiled, always insisting that he sleeps under the covers. “Bedtime is over. We’re going for a run.”

I pull the blanket back off of him. Cooper grumbles and shoves his face under the corner of the comforter.

“Come on, Coops.”

He remains still.

“Right, you’re completely invisible now. I can’t see you at all.”

I laugh at my big guy. He looks so pathetic, lying on the bed with just his snout and eyes covered up. I think it’s hilarious how he thinks he’s hidden just because he can’t see me.

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