Page 25 of Vicious Games

“Perfect.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

“And yet, you’re still fucking here.” I point the end of my pencil in his direction.

“That’s because you’re pushing my buttons again.”

“Trust me, if the words that come out of my mouth offend you this much, just imagine the ones I’m holding back.” I grin.

“Funny. Everyone’s a fucking comedian today.”

“I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m a riot.”

“No, you’re a pain in my ass,” he fumes.

“How can I be a pain if we’ve never spoken before now?” I counter, exasperated.

“I don’t know! You just are!” He throws his hands in the air.

“God, what a frail ego you must have to be this offended by little ol’ me.”

“You’re not old, and you sure as fuck aren’t little.”

I freeze.

This… this… asshole!

“Is that a dig at my weight again?” My voice comes out sharp like a dagger, ready to slice the prick open.

Lucky groans. “What the fuck are you talking about? I meant you’re a teenager, just like me. Why the hell are you so obsessed with weight?”

“I’m not obsessed with weight!” I snap, my tone a little too defensive.

His eyes narrow. “You are. You’ve mentioned it twice already.”

“That’s because you made a joke about it. Twice.”

“I did not.”

“Yeah, you did.”

He stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Are you on your period or something?”

That’s it.

He’s gone ahead and poked the bear now.

“Do you want me to break your nose this time?”

“Come on. I have sisters. They only get this crazy when it’s their time of the month.”

“As opposed to you, who’s irritating twenty-four-seven?”

“I’m not irritating. I’m a fucking genius,” he answers smugly.

“Yeah, sure you are, Einstein.”

“I am.”