Diamond (Rare Gems #2)(4)
Chapter 2
“So help me, if you say that to me again, I’m going to pop you in the face when I get there.” Diamond looked at the man standing in the line at the grocery. He’d been arguing with someone on the other end of his phone since she’d walked up behind him five minutes ago. She looked around to see if anyone would open another lane so she could get out of the way when this guy blew his top. All she wanted to do was pick up some ice cream and go home to eat the entire container while feeling sorry for herself. She’d never been unemployed before, and she was going to enjoy every second of it. This wouldn’t be all that long. At least she hoped not. Just long enough for her to talk Doctor Talley into letting her come back to work.
“There is no f*cking way that I’m going to put up with your shit any longer.” He turned and glared at her as if whatever was going on was somehow her fault. “You had better have your shit out of my house by the time I get there, or so help me, hell will be paid. And all by you.”
She was never sure when someone was finished with a call when they used an ear device and were actually talking to her or still in conversation with the person on the phone. So when he snapped his fingers in front of her face several times, she was startled enough to take a step back. His laughter did nothing for her horrible mood.
“You know, you really should be aware of your surroundings when you’re talking on one of those things. Perhaps I didn’t care to hear you arguing with your friend, and I might have found your use of language offensive.” She watched as his face turned a nice shade of purple before she continued. “And for your information, snapping your fingers in front of my face will get the shit knocked out of you someday too.”
“Fuck off, bitch. If you didn’t like the conversation, perhaps you shouldn’t have been listening. And it’s a free country last I looked, so I can say what the f*ck I want, when the f*ck I want to. So f*ck you.” She smiled at him and thought of all the things she’d like to do to him if he pushed her just a little more. “Women like you, all uptight and coldhearted, shouldn’t be out among others like me. You need to find a man and get f*cked. You might feel better.”
Over the limit, her mind screamed at her, but she took a step back. But when he pressed his finger to her forehead and told her to get a clue, it was not only over the limit, but had raced the f*ck over the finish line and into the next realm. Her fist came out and connected with his face so fast she’d not even realized she’d hit him until he started screaming like a little girl. Then someone called the police. And when they arrived fifteen minutes later, her mood did not improve.
“Miss Erickson, I’m sorry, but Mr. Caldwell said you hit him without any provocation.” She looked at the police officer who was standing between her and the man she’d hit. Several times as it turned out.
“Who’s Mr. Caldwell?” He nodded toward the man that had pissed her off. “Oh. I didn’t know what his name was. But as for no provocation, I’d say that’s a false statement. He called me names, and when I tried to back away from him, he punched his finger into my forehead and told me to f*ck off. And he called me coldhearted and said I needed to get laid so I could feel better. Actually, what he said was I should find a man and get f*cked. Then I’d feel better.”
She heard someone laugh behind her but didn’t turn as they put Caldwell into the other ambulance. Diamond had had enough of people today and wasn’t going to engage in any more verbal disputes. She looked at the officer, who she only just realized was a wolf when he suddenly stiffened. He quickly told her she was free to go. She just knew it was going to be Blair or her sister behind her. When the large hand pressed against her shoulder, she was actually relieved to know it was Blair and not Sapphire. But that was short lived when Thad spoke.
“Perhaps you need to enroll in anger management classes.” She heard Blair tell Thad to hush, but the stupid man seemed to like egging her on. “Or maybe some yoga. You might benefit from a few classes that show you creative ways to channel your anger.”
“He told me to get f*cked and I’d feel better.” The hand on her shoulder tightened and she had to put her hand over Blair’s before he hurt her more. “He also called me a bitch, which, actually I am, but what really made me take offense was when he said I was coldhearted.” She stood up to leave when she was pressed back into the gurney she was sitting on. Blair handed her the ice pack that had fallen from her cheek. Thad pulled it away when she tried to cover her face with it.
“Did he hit you?” She nodded at Thad and felt the tears threaten again. “Where is he?”
“He was taken away when they figured out I’d broken his arm. I told him not to grab me again, but he just wouldn’t listen.” She looked up at Blair, who was still holding onto her arm. “I’d very much like to go home now. The police said it was okay for me to leave as soon as you got here. Can you take me home?”
“Come on, baby.” She was helped to stand by Blair and felt Thad standing a little too close to her. She wondered what he was doing there when Blair told her. “I was taking him back to the hotel where his things were so he can stay at the house. He was in the truck when Sapphire called me.”
She nodded. Well, she supposed, he really was staying at the house. He’d better stay the hell away from her or he’d really be hurt. Stretching her neck, she tried to calm her wolf. She’d been pissy with her since she’d left the hospital. When she climbed into the backseat of Blair’s truck, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It had been one hell of a day, and it was only three in the afternoon.