Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
We play a few more games and then hit the funnel cakes. Coen and I share one while the teddy bear sits on top of a picnic table. I can’t help but be a little envious as I watch Hank kiss powdered sugar off the corner of Erica’s mouth, or the way Xander hasn’t let go of Ann Marie’s hand all night. They’re officially a couple now.
But still, Coen won me a teddy bear and kissed me on the Ferris wheel. It’s a far cry from him threatening to have me arrested.
We say our goodbyes to everyone right there. Erica and Hank are heading back to the games. He’s not ready to give up trying to win a bigger bear, and while Coen doesn’t give him shit about it, he looks smug. And Xander and Ann Marie want to hit the Ferris wheel again.
As we near the midway exit—Coen with the big bear slung under one arm—I realize this was probably as perfect an evening as I could’ve had with someone like Coen. I know there’s more to come, as Coen will stay at my house once again tonight, but I think he enjoyed being out in a casual environment with laid-back people.
Just as we’re about to step through the gates leading into the parking lot, a group of women step into our path. I wish I could say I was surprised to see it’s Cici leading the pack, but I’m not. She’s giggling, as are the others, and I’m guessing they’re drunk. They’re all dressed in tiny shorts, midriff-baring T-shirts or halter tops, and full-blown makeup and styled hair. I doubt one of them has been on a ride, and I’m sure funnel cake would mess up their bony hips.
God, I’m petty, and I hate myself for it, because that’s my insecurity talking. Funny how I was never really insecure around their presence and taunts until I had Coen’s notice.
They don’t look at me but instead focus on him. “Hey,” Cici says, her voice a bit slurred but obviously trying for a sexy purr. “We were wondering if you wanted to come back to my house. I’m throwing a party tonight, and everyone will be there.”
Does she not understand the world doesn’t revolve around her? Doesn’t she get that Coen isn’t interested because twice so far he’s called out her and her friends for being bullies?
“A party, huh?” he asks. His voice is pleasant and… interested?
My head whips toward him. Have I misjudged everything? Is a party with pretty, drunk girls a better prospect than sex with me tonight?
My heart sinks, and I fear our expiration date is upon us.
“It will be a wild time,” she murmurs seductively, and I feel like I’m going to vomit.
When Cici steps in closer to him, Coen gives her an appreciative look, starting at her head and going down to her toes before focusing on her face.
“Cici.” Coen leans toward her, voice rumbling in a way that would make any woman shiver, and her eyes turn hot in response. “If you were the last woman on earth, there’s still no way in hell I could ever tolerate being around you.”
Oh, damn. That was brutal.
I even feel slightly bad for her.
Okay, no, I don’t.
It takes a moment for it to register that she’s been insulted, her eyes narrowing. She opens her mouth to say something, but my attention is diverted when Coen reaches out and drapes his arm around my shoulders. He escorts me past the women just as Cici screeches in outrage.
Glancing back, I see her with her arms crossed over her chest defensively while the other girls surround her in commiseration. Sadly, nothing about this exchange will change who she is. She’ll always be a self-centered bully who will never understand how unlikable she is.
When we’re in Coen’s truck, he turns to me before cranking the engine. “I’m sorry you had to be subjected to that.”
I shrug, because truly, I’ve never let Cici get to me. I might have been on the dorkier side of things growing up—and maybe even now—but my parents raised me to be confident and embrace my differences. “She doesn’t bother me, Coen.”
He stares at me and releases a frustrated sigh before starting the truck. “Well, it bothers the fuck out of me.”
I reach out to touch his arm. “But why? It’s not that big a deal.”
Head swiveling slowly my way, I note the sadness in his eyes. “It bothers me because that’s exactly the type of woman I would have gone home with not that long ago. I told you I’m not a nice man.”
“Oh,” I murmur, my hand falling away. I don’t know what to say, and I’m disheartened that someone like Cici would attract him. Or at least used to and perhaps would again.
Maybe I’m just a novelty.