Page 168 of Sweet Venom
“Me!” Preston raises a hand. “Over here. Me, Vee! Come on, don’t friend-zone me. Let me tell you something, the rumors about my dick size and performance are absolutely true. Free trial included.”
“Oh, hell no.” Dahlia throws a napkin at him.
“Shut up, Dina. This isn’t about you.”
“Well, I’m making it about me. You think Jude will be okay with it if she switches to you?”
“Hmm. Good point.” He scratches his chin. “I suppose he won’t, but then again, that’s the whole idea!”
He takes my hand in his and interlinks our fingers, and before I can figure out what’s going on, he snaps a picture. Then starts to type on his phone.
“See!”
He shows us his phone. Preston has sent the picture to a group chat called The Vipers’ Den.
Preston
Congratulate me, motherfuckers. I have a girlfriend!
Kane
I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes. Meeting in fifteen, don’t be late.
Jude
Preston Aaron Armstrong! Why the fuck are you holding Violet’s hand?
My chest squeezes as I read his text a few times just to make sure I’m not seeing things. How did he even know it’s my hand when it’s not fully visible?
More importantly, why is he this attuned to me if he refuses to talk to me?
Preston types some more and Dahlia giggles, seeming to enjoy this as much as he is.
“Stop that, Pres,” I say pleadingly. “I don’t like playing these games.”
“Well, I do!” He waggles his brows, then shows us his texts again.
Preston
Why else? Because Vee is my girlfriend now. Finally!
Jude
I’m going to break your fucking neck if you don’t stay away from her.
Nah. Finders keepers, am I right? Of course I am. No need to answer that.
Kane
Great. He just arrived and now he took off. Count your days, Pres.
“Can’t say it was lovely knowing you, but RIP, Preston.” Dahlia laughs, clutching her stomach. “Serves that prick right. We should’ve done this before.”
“I know, right? I’m such an adorable Cupid.” Preston chuckles maniacally. “Let’s take one more picture just for fun, Vee.”
He grabs my hand, and I try to pull it away.
He pauses and pushes my cardigan up my wrist, his playful green eyes whirling with a cloud of confusion, then menace as he cocks his head to the side. “Why…do you have this?”
