Take (Need #2)(24)

I blink at him, then look down. “Vodka.”

“Starting with the heavy stuff, huh?”

I shrug in response and take a few gulps. It burns the whole way down, making my body involuntarily shudder from the strength.

“You know, if you’re doing that so you can seduce me, you don’t have to. I’m ready, willing, and available for you.”

I start to laugh, almost at ease with his flirtation attempt, then I remember what happened and stop.

“Me and every other female.”

He cringes. “Ouch.”

Did that sting? Good.

“You know if I could go back, I never would have—”

“Fucked that slut?” I’m laying it all out, tired of all the bullshit.

“That’s not it.”

“What is it, then? Because I’m still pissed, Austin.”

“I never would have let you push me away. Then I never would have . . .”

His admission softens me. I know it’s Brayden and his past with her that makes me hate her so much. “I just can’t stand that of all people, why her? Jennifer’s f*cked half the school. Who knows what diseases she’s carrying.”

“Excuse me? What the f*ck are you saying about me?” Jennifer asks as she steps forward.

It’s then I realize we’ve gained a few prying eyes and ears, including slutty herself.

I take another swig of the open bottle in my hand. “I was talking about how you’ve ruined the pool of available guys in the area.”

Her blue eyes are wide, jaw tight. “Who are you to judge me? What makes you so special, Kira?”

“I don’t f*ck every guy in a ten-mile radius.”

“No, you’re a cock tease who has them running to me when you won’t put out.”

My eyes go wide and I step forward, practically snarling. “You are so disgusting! Is that how you’re going to go through life? On your back?”

“Not just on my back, but on my knees, too. Not that little Miss Priss would know anything about that.”

“You don’t know anything about me.”

“And you know shit about me. So, stop running your prude mouth. Stuff a dick in there, and maybe you’ll see the fun in it.”

“Fuck you!”

She lifts the hem of her skirt and slaps her *. “Go for it, bitch! This * knows how to satisfy a man. Maybe that’s why guys run from you to me.”

I snap, lunging forward, my fingers clenched tight around the bottle, ready to smash it into her skull.

The bottle misses as Austin pushes Jennifer back, and I’m yanked away. An arm wraps around my waist, lifting me up into the air.

“Let me go!”

I turn back to find Brayden’s green eyes as he drags me away.





“What is your malfunction? I said, let me go!”

Her nails dig into my arm as I pull her through two rooms and out the back door. She doesn’t weigh much, but her flailing legs kicking around as she tries to break free make it tough to hold on.

There are a few people out on the deck who scurry away as we exit the house.

I set her back on the ground, and she sways, regaining her balance on her sexy-ass heels. They match her sexy-ass dress, and I want to f*cking drag her away.

“Calm down.”

She scowls at me. “What the f*ck? Couldn’t stand to see your f*ck doll get hit?”

“It looked more like you wanted to kill her, especially with that bottle.” I point down to the bottle, which is in her death grip.

She shifts her weight from foot to foot, jaw locked tight.

“What is it about her?”

“That was about you. I can buy you sexy lingerie, but I don’t have enough for bail.”

“That’s laughable.”

“Why?”

“You’re my devil, not my knight in shining armor.”

My jaw ticks, and I try not to cringe at the sting of her words. “Kira, I love you. I’m always going to protect you, even when it’s from yourself.”

She stares at me for a moment, then takes a swig from the bottle. “I don’t want that.”

“Tough. Now, hand over the bottle.” I hold out my hand expectantly.

Her eyes narrow, and she steps back. “Fuck you.”

“I’m not telling you not to drink, just pace yourself. Give me the bottle and sip on a beer.”

She lets out a sigh and holds it out. “In exchange, you leave me the hell alone tonight.”

I snatch it from her, glancing down at the label. “For a while.” Vodka. She was sucking down vodka like it was water.

“All night.” She jabs a finger into my chest. “This is my night. Don’t ruin it.”

“I’ll have my eye on you. No more starting fights.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and stalks past. I don’t miss the whispered “*” as she goes.

My gaze stays fixed on her, watching her as she gets a beer, and her friends, Ashley and Marilyn, come up behind her. Hopefully they can help contain any more explosions.

I twist off the top and take a long pull from the bottle. It burns all the way down as I slump into one of the deck chairs.

Kira has never liked Jenn, but I didn’t know it was so deep. If I’d arrived a few seconds later . . . She was just lashing out, but the bottle is thick glass, and heavy with liquid.