Page 42 of Heart Sick Hate

I’m not sure I believe it, but I feel the need to say it anyway.

“Right, you’re my brother’s girl.” His jaw clenches. “I’m going to enjoy watching you try to remember that while you’re coming on my cock.”

At that, he leaves the bathroom, and it takes everything in me not to collapse to the floor with my lies.

12

Crew

“Where’s Wyatt?” Echo slowsher pace, her eyes darting from her empty stool to me, before sliding into the stool he was occupying a few minutes ago.

“He went home.”

She looks to Maren, who just shakes her head. “Don’t ask me. Wyatt said he had something to take care of.”

He did after I not-so-subtly threatened his nuts if he didn’t walk away before Echo got out of the bathroom. He only spent a moment challenging me, puffing up like he was going to do something about it. And I kind of hoped he’d give me the excuse, which he must have seen in my eyes because then he backed down real quick.

Leaving Echo to me, just like I want her.

This girl’s got me out of my fucking mind right now. As I drove over here, I told myself it’s because I just need to hate fuck her out of my system. Convinced myself thatonce I finish what we started last night, it will clear my head.

Problem is, the moment I saw her with some guy’s arm around the back of her chair, something darker took shape. Possession. Ownership. All the shit I told myself I’d never feel about a girl. And all she wants to do is use me as some pawn in her sexual awakening.

I’m going to make her regret ever considering it.

My little Goldilocks thinks she can walk in unannounced and mess my brain up. I’ll do that and more to her.

She’s mine now, whether she realizes it or not. And she’s going to pay every time she tries to challenge that fact.

“You’re a sick fuck,” Echo says, sliding onto the stool and glaring at me.

She leans toward Maren to whisper something, and Maren doesn’t take her brown eyes off me. But unlike Echo, who might as well be trying to sear me with holy fire with her gaze, Maren’s expression is mildly amused, with a devious smirk ticking up at whatever Echo tells her.

Maren nods when they finally break apart, turning back to her boy-toy-of-the-day, while Echo leans back in her own bar stool and grinds her teeth as she watches me.

I slide the water I ordered her in her direction, and she’s smart enough to take a sip without arguing. She might hate me, but she needs it. And I know it because I know her.

Too fucking well.

Echo can’t handle her booze, and her pupils are blown wide, which means she’s probably high on top of being drunk. She’s lucky I showed up before that douche she was talking to tried to take advantage. If he had, I’m not sure what sick things I might have done.

My fingers clench around my beer at the thought, and I take a long drink.

It was so much easier when my contact with Echo revolved around me trying to irritate the hell out of her. When I used her bubble-gum personality as a reason for convincing myself she was nothing more than some chick who was on a mission to piss me off with her presence. It was simpler when I was under the illusion that she was just like any other person to me.

Now she’s in my vision like I’ve got blinders on, and she’s my sole focus. Every twitch, laugh, breath, movement. I can’t help but see it all—want it all.

My Goldie.

I’ve always had a narrow focus, even as a kid. When something gets in my sights, I have to have it. Use it until the shine wears off. But whatever interest is growing with Echo didn’t start last night, even if at first, I thought it did. Weeds grew years earlier. Rooting back to the first moment I looked into her sparkly, golden eyes. Sweetness covering up the darkness she’s so intent to hide.

I want to see it.

Her light and shadows.

Her truth.

Then maybe I’ll understand what’s feeding this sick obsession spreading through me.

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