Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I can’t move. Can’t speak. My brain and every part of me are fueled with nothing but rage. “Don’t talk about him. Don’t look at him. Don’t even fucking think about him.” My hands fist, my chest so tight it’s difficult to breathe.
“What the hell are you going to do about it? You can’t even function in life without Donovan. You know he feels sorry for you, right? Poor, stupid Eric who doesn’t have a clue.”
Even though his words hit every single one of my sore spots, I roll my eyes. He’ll never make me believe Donovan feels sorry for me, can never make me doubt who we are to each other. “You’re jealous because he’s mine. And you know you never deserved him. You didn’t deserve any of them.” Our argument is drawing attention, the people around us starting to watch what’s happening. “You used him so you’d feel better about yourself, about your pathetic little life, and now you’ve lost him and he’s mine. I’ll give you a hint: he never would have been yours. He would have seen through you.”
I turn and take a few steps away when Malcolm says, “He really loves cock, doesn’t he? I bet you think it’s just yours he loses it for, but I couldn’t keep him off my dick. He’s a good piece of ass, better than the other two, but I’ve had better.”
I see red, my body nearly vibrating out of my skin. All thought turns off as I whirl around on Malcolm. I’ve never hit anyone in my life, but I can’t stop myself from drawing my arm back and letting my fist collide with his face.
Gasps surround us. Malcolm stumbles backward, nose bleeding. He catches his balance, and before I realize what’s happening, Malcolm is charging me. He knocks me to the ground, and then his fist connects with my eye.
I throw him off me, flip us so I’m straddling him. I pull my arm back again, when I hear, “Eric,” and look up to see Donovan watching me. Rylan, Hayes, Anthony, Mads, and Ana are there too.
I already feel my eye swelling, adrenaline and hate for the man beneath me begging me to hit him again.
The music turns off.
Hundreds of people surround us, watching.
“He’s not worth it,” Donovan says. “He’s sad, pathetic, hateful, and he’s not fucking worth it. This isn’t you.”
The anger in me decreases. The hate I feel for this man doesn’t go away, it never will, but Donovan is right. He’s not worth it. “I feel sorry for you,” I tell Malcolm. “You had the best man in the world, and you didn’t see it. I won’t make that same mistake. I’ll love him better than you ever could.”
I shove to my feet, push away from Malcolm, and go straight for Donovan. He pulls me into his arms the second I get to him.
Security is finally heading over to us, and Anthony says, “Get him out of here. He’s not even supposed to be in here!” his voice cold in a way I’ve never heard it.
Two big men walk over to Malcolm and pull him to his feet. “Fuck you, Anthony! You were always my least favorite, the slut of the group, whose own family doesn’t even want him.”
Anthony freezes, then without another word, walks away. Security drags a screaming Malcolm out, and then the music is back on.
Donovan turns his head, and I know he’s looking after Anthony.
“Go. Talk to him. He needs his friends,” I tell Donovan.
The war inside Donovan is obvious—part of him wanting to go be with his friend, the other not wanting to leave me.
“I’m fine, baby. Go.”
“You guys head to the doctor. That eye might need stitches. I’ll go check on Anthony,” Mads tells us, then goes the way Anthony had.
It’s then I realize blood is running down the side of my face.
“Jesus,” Donovan says, just noticing it himself. “It was probably his ring. That’s really deep. You definitely need stitches.”
“I’ll call a car to get you guys to the ER,” Rylan says as Ana hands over a stack of napkins.
Everything goes quickly after that. Donovan’s hold on me is tight as he leads me out of the bar. Hayes, Rylan, and Ana follow along, and by the time we get outside, Rylan points us to a waiting car.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Ana asks.
“No. We’re good. Can you guys make sure she gets home okay?” I ask Rylan and Hayes. I can’t help but notice how quiet Donovan is.
“I can get home by myself, ya know. I’m not helpless.” Ana crosses her arms. “But it’s very sweet of you anyway.”
I kiss her cheek, then climb into the back seat with Donovan.
“Too bad this didn’t happen when the urgent cares were still open,” I say, trying to make him laugh.