The Game (That Girl, #2)(32)

“Are you serious right now?” I ask.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

A clattering noise draws my attention from the bullshit running from Levi’s mouth, but my skin is still sucking in every ounce of his touch. The * convinced me to stay last night, and I can guarantee it’s only for a good f*ck. Looks like he won.

“Put this on it, and then a Band-Aid.”

“Jesus Christ, I told you to throw some dirt on it and move on. We raise champs, not pussies in this house,” Lincoln yells while flipping a pancake.

He tries to look tough and all badass-ish, but flipping pancakes just doesn’t do it for me. None of us takes his words seriously. We actually laugh at him because we all know he’s the tender-hearted one of the bunch.

Lynlee pulls up the hem of my shirt, and I know exactly what she’s looking for. Fresh cuts. Well, she isn’t going to find any because I refuse to give any one of these *s satisfaction.

“I have to pee.” The words leave my mouth as my body tries to escape.

Levi is still firmly grasping me while trying to clean up my knee, and Lynlee is sitting on the floor inspecting his work. I’m really not sure how I keep finding myself in one circus after another. I just want all this craziness to stop.

“I said I have to pee.”

I really do, but more than that I need to get out of here. I should’ve done it last night. I try avoiding eye contact with Lynlee because it will only make it harder to leave with her sitting right there. Then the thought haunts me—she ran so easily from me.

“Let me up now before I piss on you.”

I throw an elbow into Levi’s chest and feel guilty for about a half second, but when he loosens his grip, I make my move, darting off toward the bathroom.

“She is Pissy Polly this morning.”

I don’t know who says it, and don’t even care. Locking the door to the bathroom, I exhale a sigh of relief and slide down the back of the door until my bottom hits the cold tile. Levi’s words still swirl around in my head with his warm and welcoming smile this morning. He wrapped me up in his lap like we were old lovers, not like someone he could talk so callously about. Just proof he’s a player and will do anything for instant gratification. He’s right about one thing, he’ll never be able to love again.

My mind is made up. I’m running, leaving this place, and going home. There’s been a real estate agent calling me weekly about selling dad’s trailer, but more importantly, his land. My childhood home sits on five acres of prime real estate, and the vultures were always hounding Dad to sell. I remember as a teen I wanted him to sell, so we could live in luxury. But my dad was always proud of what was his, and that trailer, land, motorcycle, and I were the only things he outright owned.

I could sell, leaving behind all my memories, and start new. Throw a dart at a map and build a new life. I’m outgoing enough to make new friends, find a career I enjoy, and make a place for myself. One that is my own.

Turning the doorknob carefully, I hear their voices, and the word love comes up. I know exactly what topic they are discussing. I am furious at all of them for talking so easily about this when I’m in the house. Instead of sneaking out, I march my proud ass right down the hall.

“Levi, you’re never going to be able to move on if you don’t face it. Instead of being the lonely cat lady, you’ll be the miserable trophy man.”

Lynlee’s now sitting on top of the bar next to Lincoln. He chows down food and adamantly nods his head in agreement.

“You both can f*ck off. I’m not going to do it,” Levi replies.

“Well, in my opinion, all of you can f*ck off.”

Three heads swing in my direction. I have their attention and am now ready to lay it all on the line, since I can so easily be disregarded.

“I think you’re all *s, and I’m sick that you can…”

Lincoln interrupts me before I can finish my rant. “Jazzy, you’re a sensible person. Tell Levi he’s being a stubborn dick.”

“What?” I question.

Levi walks over, grabs my hand, and guides me to a fresh, hot stack of chocolate chip pancakes.

“Tell him he’s making a mistake for not closing the door with Rebecca.”

Now I’m really confused, and decide to shovel food in my mouth instead of finish my rant and run. My head is spinning, and with each bite my anger slowly dissipates while more confusion takes over. Lincoln continues, and I just listen.

“Rebecca wants Levi to meet Lily.”

“I’ve f*cking told all of you I’m not going there. That bitch hurt me, and since you feel the need to make this a family topic, do any of you realize how humiliating and devastating that experience was?”

Lincoln bites right back. “Actually, no, we don’t, because you are so closed off to the rest of us.”

“It was hell. Seeing a child I thought was mine for months will do no good for me or her. End of story.”

I shovel down mouthful after mouthful of pancakes, avoiding the whole conversation. I put in my two bits yesterday and regret doing so. I try to blend in as much as I can.

“Jazzy, what were you going to say when you came out of the bathroom?”

Fucking Lincoln, I swear he never misses anything. I was hoping the beginning of my rant would be magically forgotten.