Page 12 of Ghouls and Girth
“Sorry,” I manage before using the first excuse I can.“I need to pee, too, so let’s go find a bathroom before we leave.”
Gabby and Bianca happily turn toward the gift shop with me between them.
Bryce grabs my shoulder and yanks me backward so hard I almost lose my footing.I release my friends and turn swinging.
My palm cracks against his cheek so hard his head whips to the side.Pain lances up my arm, but it’s totally worth it to see the shock and humiliation on his face.
“I told you not to touch me.Fuck off, perv,” I snarl before spinning on my heel, grabbing my friends, and hightailing it across the road.
With the gift shop lights off and the door shut, I veer toward the mausoleum instead.Trista sidles closer to a newly shirted Mr.Swanky Grumpypants, and a fissure of jealousy works its way through my heart as I imagine her savoring his mint and citrus scent.I shove the ridiculous emotion away and force my legs to continue a steady pace.
Just as we step onto the curb on the far side of the road, Bianca breaks my friends’ stunned silence.
“Bitch, that wasamazing,” she exclaims.
My steps falter.
“What?”I ask, certain I misheard her.
“Your aim was beautiful.Can I hire you to slap my cheating ex like that?Holy fuck, it was a thing of beauty,” she gushes.
I plant my boots on the pavers and study her expression.
She means every word.
“You’re not going to ask what happened?”I ask.
Gabby squeezes my elbow as she answers, “A slap like that doesn’t need words, hun.You explained everything with how hard you hit him.Obviously you don’t need our help, but we’ll make sure you ride with us back to the dorm.”
Tears clog my throat.
I don’t deserve these ladies, but there’s no way in hell I’ll push them away.
Trista’s flirtatious giggle is like nails on a chalkboard in my ears, but she’s part of the crew, too.
Assuming the sound of my slap didn’t carry far enough for her to hear, I swing my gaze toward her and nearly melt into the sidewalk from the intensity of Mr.Swank Grouchypant’s double stare.
His brother’s ghastly white frame lurks in the shadows of the gift shop, but even without the massive skeletal form announcing his presence, I’d know he was there.The warm scent of leather and old books teases my nostrils as his stare burrows under my defenses.
The logical side of me demands I flee, but my boots start forward.Part of me wants to learn the hard way this time.
It may end in my death, but I bet the experience will be hella fun.
I peel my attention off Mr.Grunty Hunk and fix my stare on Trista.
My curiosity can drown in the reflection pool.Saving my friends and escaping back to our dorm before the witching hour begins is my only priority.
But as we near the mausoleum doors, citrus and mint join the scent of leather and books to create a thrilling, heady perfume.My nerve endings spark to life and fresh wetness soaks my panties.
Whatever these monsters are, they’ve already snuck past my defenses and made me yearn for them.Even if I leave, I won’t be rid of them.They’ll plague my thoughts and haunt my nightmares until I return.
I should hate it, but I don’t.I fear them, but I can’t force my feet to turn around.
They’re too big.Too strong.Too potent.
I’m so fucked.
Chapter 5
