Page 50 of Brutal Days

The wind howled against the car, and trees bent in the distance, a mere silhouette to the moon’s bright glow.

“What?”

Sky’s features betrayed nothing, but her voice held the dark storm in her mind, and I wanted to experience her barely contained wildness.

“Gia’s ready to take things to the next level, and I’m tired of the forced celibacy. Everybody thinks she’s my girlfriend because that’s what she’s saying. I can call this whole thing off right now and tell Gia that her friend has been taking matters into her own hands. Then you can deal with that among yourselves.”

She shook her head, her hair dancing around her shoulders. “You’re a dick.”

I wanted to kiss her dirty mouth, to touch her, but I didn’t want to say all that and look desperate. “Gia’s the one who wants it. But if it’s any consolation, I would rather have sex with you.” I waited for her to rip me a new one or, at the very least, to tell me to screw myself.

“Okay. Fine.”

I sat there for a moment, almost offended by her attitude. “Chicks want me. Yourfriendwants me. But you’re acting like fucking me is a punishment.”

“I’m not one of your groupies.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared.

“I’ll need a certain level of enthusiasm.”

Her upper lip curled. “Enthusiasm is earned.”

I smirked.Oh yeah, I love a good challenge.We were locked in a stare off. It was fucking crazy. Sky wasn’t my type—she hated sports and me. Her friend wasn’t my type, either, but Sky was like an addiction. And I wanted her. I moved the console back and grabbed her hips to lift her onto me, but she smacked my hands away.

“I’m not doing this in your truck.”

“Fine. Come over Thursday night.” My dad and Raelyn had a client dinner and would be in the city for the weekend. It would be the perfect time.

“If I do this”—she was eerily still, her features intense as she delivered her message—“you have to promise not to screw Gia.”

I shrugged. I didn’t want to sleep with that chick anyway. “I’ll promise so long as you don’t stand me up or back out.”

“Okay, fine. I promise.”

When she turned to get out, I put my hand on her shoulder, and she swiveled back with a question in her deep-blue eyes. Then I kissed her. Not like how I usually did but soft and slow, savoring the feel of her. I took my time and felt the kiss all the way to my gut.

When I released her, she popped open the door, her grip on it tight so the wind wouldn’t take it. Then she was gone, sliding into her car. The engine started. She backed up and was out of there before I moved to hit the Start button on mine. On the drive home, I realized I looked forward to a night with her much more than I wanted to admit.

And because of that, the week went by slowly. I saw Gia every day, but not Sky, though I texted her a countdown every morning. She didn’t respond to me until Thursday, when she asked what time she should come over.

I wanted her to drop everything and come immediately, but I told her eight and to dress in something sexy.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

SKYLAR

#BuhbyeVCard

My hands shook as I flipped through the clothes in my closet. Frustrated and even a little scared, I flopped onto my bed, unsure of what to do about Damon’s request—order, command, dictate?I didn’t own sexy clothes. I had shorts, T-shirts, jeans, and a couple of sweaters. My bras and panties didn’t even match.Should they match?

I stared at my ceiling as time ticked by way too fast. I had to come up with something that worked for that night. Phone in hand, I called Gia because, if anyone knew what to wear in my situation, it would be her. It rang several times then rolled into voicemail, and I hung up.Where is she?I pushed out a breath, rolled over to my pillow, shoved my face in it, and screamed. I had to go to the mall and figure it out.

With my purse in hand, I hurried to my car, stressed and annoyed that I was even thinking of spending money on something Damon wanted. But it wasn’t just that. I was incredibly nervous. Maybe shopping would help. I had no clue. I needed to talk to Gia.

I blasted music and did everything I could to stop panicking as I drove to the mall. When that didn’t work, I made mental lists.Get a matching set of bra and panties. Black.I was most comfortable in that color.And then what? A dress?That seemed extreme.

At the mall, I speed-walked to a well-known lingerie store. I was about to go in when a bubbly laugh caught my attention. I turned and spotted Gia with several cheerleaders who hung around the Elite, minus Jessica and Tracey—the leaders of that unpleasant group. I was surprised Gia had moved up the social ladder so quickly and that she would associate with those girls. The few she was with were catty, not as nasty as the other two, but they would get there.

If I stayed where I was, they would walk right by me, and I couldn’t move if I wanted to. She hadn’t answered my call, and I saw why.

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