Page 16 of The Inkslinger

“Give my drink to Laine. He looks like he could use it.”

Damien walks over to her and gives her a kiss on the cheek before saying something in her ear. I watch as her entire body visibly relaxes before she nods.

“See you around,” he says with a wave before slipping around the far side of the house and disappearing from sight.

I want to stomp after him and knock his ass out. What the hell did he say to her? When the hell did they get so close? What. The. Actual. Fuck. Is going on here?

Hailey glares at me in disapproval and I have a feeling I fucked up again without knowing or intending to do it.

Chapter Nine

Not You Again

Hailey

Damien and I were having a lot of fun before Mr. Sunshine stomped in here and crashed the party.

Taking a sip of my drink, I glare at him. Alcohol has always made me an easier person to deal with, but I can’t say Damien cared either way. After Adam called and told me not to come in for my shift, I may have thrown a coffee cup at the wall.

I hate that Derick is ruling my life once more, even if I don’t think that was his intention this time. Damien has been a rock, though. He is surprisingly mature for his age and listened as I explained everything while he made me some more coffee before deciding we needed to do some serious day drinking.

We bought the only collapsible pool in Franklinton and some booze. He introduced me to their mother, and I even got an invite to Sunday lunch. All in all, I was having a spectacular day.

Until now. This man has me on an emotional roller coaster. My emotions go from wanting to strangle him to wanting to ride him like a damn fair pony.

“What do you want?” I ask, rather rudely. Even though Damien just told me to play nice.

“What are you doing, Hailey?”

I fucking hate when people answer a question with a question. Grabbing the pitcher, I turn on my heel and walk back into the house.

“You know he just finished college, right?”

“You can’t really be that stupid,” I reply with a glare.

He better not be accusing me of trying to seduce his little brother. I might be driven to violence if those words leave his kissable lips.

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