Page 35 of Girl Violence

Letting out a deep breath, she plasters a smile on her face. Before talking herself out of it, she shoves her ball into Jason’s chest. “Take my shot.”

Turning on her heel, Josette makes her way over to Vince and Elizabeth. Her legs are like noodles, and maybe she’s the one who is high. But Josette wants Vince to know she’s aware Elizabeth is his girlfriend and what he did with her was cruel. Vince sees her approaching, and his eyes widen in warning, but she ignores him.

“Hey, Vince,” she says in the most over-exaggerated voice possible. Elizabeth turns and looks at Josette, eyes scanning her.

“Hey,” Vince clears his throat, and Josette wants to laugh.He’snervous?

“I thought it was you when I came in.” Her mouth forms a calculating smile. “I’m just with my friend over there and thought I’d come and say hi.”

Josette points in Jason’s direction, who gives a little wave. He’s highly entertained, judging by the smirk on his face. Vince’s eyes lock with Jason’s, and his lips flatten before turning his glare back to her. Diverting her gaze to Elizabeth instead, Josette smiles, “Oh, you must be Vince’s girlfriend?”

“Uh, yeah.” Her cheeks flush pink.

“Vince has told me so much about you.” If looks could kill, Josette would probably be dead.

“How do you know Vince?” she asks.

“Oh, we’re neighbours and co-workers,” she tells her. “We work in the library his aunt owns.”

“Oh, that’s cool…” She smiles sweetly, but it’s too sweet and massively forced. Maybe she recognises her from their selfie on Instagram.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you.” Josette looks Vince dead in the eye. He’s so pissed, his eyes a shade of thunder, causing a shiver to run through her. “I think I should get back. See you at work.”

His eyes narrow, and Josette thinks he wants to throttle her. Good. She’s not a pushover, and he should damn well know it.

Turning on her heel, Josette goes back over to Jason, who is shaking with silent laughter. She picks up the pink ball to take her turn. She knows Vince is still watching her. His eyes are practically burning holes through her.

Ignoring him, she throws the ball down the lane. It falls into the groove, and she sighs. Going over to them didn’t make her feel better. In fact, it just made her feel worse. The only one whose bullshit was called out was her own, for once again clinging to a past that Vince has well and truly let go of.

* * *

Vince and Elizabethleave before her and Jason’s game finishes. She watches them walk out with a heavy heart as Vince walks slightly ahead, and Elizabeth trails behind.

Despite the drama, Josette allows herself to have a little fun. She beats Jason, and judging by his moodiness after, he wasn’t secretly letting her win. As soon as the game ends, Josette buys him his blue Slush Puppy to shut up his whining that she apparently cheated. “You can’t cheat on bowling, Jason.”

“You can when you wear a crop top and a skirt.”

“Not my fault you’re a pervert… I’m just going to the bathroom.” Instead of replying, Jason’s head swivels to check out a pretty goth girl standing in the queue.

Leaving him to it, Josette heads into the bathroom. Vince isn’t far away from her thoughts. She doesn’t know what she’s feeling right now. Anger? Hurt? Elizabeth confirmed that she’s his girlfriend, which means he basically cheated on her with Josette. She’d love to know what the hell he was thinking. Surely being drunk doesn’t make you forget if you’ve someone else on the go.

When her phone buzzes, Josette stops outside to look for it. After rummaging around in her bag, she pulls it out, seeing it’s a call from Jenna. In the middle of answering, Josette is suddenly pushed into the male toilet opposite.

“What the—” Her phone slips out of her hand and drops to the floor, but she’s not looking at her phone. She’s too busy staring into a pair of dark blue eyes.

“What the hell was that?” Vince demands as Josette gapes at him. She hadn’t expected him to come back, and for a moment, she’s speechless. Until what he said sinks in.

“What was what?” She snatches her arm from his grip and narrows her eyes at him.

“Why did you come over and act like a…a—”

“Go on—say it.”

“Like a bitch! Why are you playing games?” he all but growls at her like a raving lunatic. Josette tries not to let it hurt, but it’s too late. He thinks she’s a bitch for showing him what a liar he is.

“Have you lost your mind?” she demands. “You’re the one playing the games. You’ve been an asshole all week, ignoring me after that night. Which, by the way, shouldn’t have happened if you already have a girlfriend!”

“Why would a scumbag like Jason Meade say he kissed you?” he asks, completely ignoring what she said. Her eyes widen at the hostility in his expression. She’s never seen him this mad. And over Jason?

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