Page 100 of Filthy Little Pretties
Joker.
“Good to know,” I laugh as we move our trays down the rail. “Hey, where’s Kai?”
“Chasing tail on the front steps. Guys basketball team’s gearing up to travel. You know how Kai likes grey sweatpants.”
Even though the joke is funny—mainly because it’s so true—I’m still stuck in my head.
My head lies against his shoulder, and he pulls me in as he leans to grab us water. “Sparkling or flat?”
“Sparkling. Thank you.”
I try to answer without my funk affecting my face. But Liam always sees me, no matter how convincing I try to be. Probably because he has a spare key to my heart.
“Grey doesn’t deserve your worry. He’s being an ass.”
I don’t deserve yours. But we do what we do.
“Don’t say that. He’s our friend.”
Liam furrows his brow, turning to face me as if he’s about to argue, but his eyes are captured by something over my shoulder. I watch intently as his eyes track something behind me, his face filling with silent contempt.
“What’s going on?” I say, turning to see what he’s looking at, but he clangs his tray down in front of me, grabbing my attention back.
“That asshole doesn’t deserve anything you give him so fucking freely,” he mutters under his breath, shaking his head.
“Whoa, Liam. Where is this coming from?” My head swings over my shoulder, but I don’t see anything strange. When I look back, my eyes grow wide as Liam takes my tray from my hands, making me realize he’s already set his down on the rail.What’s happening?
He glances over his shoulder, then turns back quickly. As I stare into his eyes, my breathing starts to pick up. It feels like I’m going to cry, but I don’t even know why. I can guess over who though.
“Let me see,” I snap, trying to move past him again.
Liam looms over me protectively, holding my arm and stopping me from pushing past him, but I try again, struggling to get around him.
“Van,” he whispers, but I shove him hard, moving around him.
“What… Oh fuck…I can’t breathe…”
My breath is caught in my tightening chest as my world feels like it’s crumbling around me.
I should’ve known that Grey wouldn’t stop with only a threat. He’s going to make me hate myself for not choosing him. I’m unprepared and stupid, because seated in my chair is a familiar redhead. The girl who I hate. The one who took my place once before in Grey’s car. The one who’s taken my place again, but this time, she has Grey’s tongue in her mouth.
He’s kissing her. He’s fucking kissing her. But it’s not that—it’s the way he’s doing it, like he can’t get enough. Like he did when he had me against his wall and at his mercy. Like he does in all my dreams.
Liam’s hand weaves through mine, giving it a little tug, letting me know he’s here if I need him.
“He said he’d drag me through hell.”
“That’s not hell, Van. It’s whatever happens after that’s designed to hurt.”
“You underestimate my ability to weather a storm,” I say, looking back at Grey.
Liam’s face dips to mine, the tip of his nose brushing my temple. His bottom teeth graze his top lip, putting that beauty mark on display as he shakes his head.
“Nah, you just live in denial about how much he means to you.”
My head twists to Liam, realizing he’s always known.Of course he has.Spare key to my heart and all means someone else has the master. I look back at the table, watching Grey’s hand weave through her hair at the nape of her neck. That’s the spot he puts his hand on me. My chest heaves as if I’m going to sob, but I clamp my lips shut. Eyes are bouncing between the table and where I stand, waiting for what will happen next. He’s made it a show. A public shaming. This is low, even for Grey.
My eyes drop down, and it’s ridiculous, but I can’t stop staring at the chair. That’s my chair. My place. My Grey. No. Not mine. I made that abundantly clear, and Grey’s here to shove my words down my throat or maybe Laura’s.
