Page 32 of Too Sweet
She’s just like Kaya. A damsel in imaginary distress.
SheletJustin touch her. She didn’t do anything to stop the asshole groping her, and now she shoots me the look. Theplease help melook Kaya sent my way every weekend.
Fuck my life.
No matter how appealing the idea, I can’t leave her to fend for herself. My brother is into that girl. Not for long because I’m not keeping this to myself. I’ll tell him she’s not worth the hassle, but for now, I can’t walk away.
The triplets consider her their little sister.
They’re protective of her.
Probably because she gives off that deer-in-the-headlightsvibe... she has them wrapped around her finger.
My temper goes from zero to prison when Justin cuffs Mia’s wrist, not letting her leave.
I cross the room and nail his face before he sees me coming. Next thing I know, he’s on the ground, clutching his bleeding lip. Another flashback hits me, fueling my anger to the point I could crack open Justin’s skull like an egg. The faces of all the guys I put in a similar predicament flicker on the backs of my eyelids. So many unnecessary fights.
“What the fuck?!” Justin booms, poking my chest once he hauls himself up. “What’s your problem, Nico?”
“Beat it, kid. She’s not yours.”
“How do you know? Maybe sheis.”
Like hell.
“I told you I’m not interested, Justin,” Mia says, quivering like a two-day-old puppy whisked from the litter, her cheeks white for a change.
She’s a better actress than Kaya, I’ll give her that. Her unease rings genuine, but I’m not falling for that. It’s a fucking play. She’s in character. Acting the same way Kaya did.
Justin turns to her, but I grab his collar and shove him against the bar. “I saidbeat itbefore I lose my patience.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Mia, pale like a ghost, sink to her knees and rummage through her bag. She pulls out a travel-size bottle of mouthwash and unscrews the cap with trembling hands, inhaling the minty scent.
“Out,” I clip, pushing Justin toward the door.
He readjusts his t-shirt, shooting me a dirty look. Not as dirty as the one he shoots Mia, though.
I crouch before her, reaching for her shoulders to haul her up, but she jerks away so suddenly that she spills half the mouthwash down her dress.
“Don’t make a fucking scene. You let him touch you. Don’t act distraught now.” I reach for her again, and she falls back on her ass, scrambling away, those big eyes searching for a way out. It only pisses me off more. “Get up. I’m taking you home.”
“No, no, I-I—” She pauses, inhaling at what’s left of the mouthwash.
She glances past me. I look around, too, remembering Aisha’s here. She should be the one to escort Mia home, but a quick scan of the bar tells me she’s gone.
So are Toby and Adrian.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Great. Just fucking great. Looks like I have no choice but to deal with the little diva.
NINE
Mia
OBE EVENING. That’s all I asked of Aisha. One evening together to catch up. I thought she’d endure a few hours since it was my birthday yesterday.
Unfortunately, I was born the same day as Aisha’s new boyfriend’s friend. Not even the peacock feather can grant me time with my sister anymore. I know it’s childish, but it represented something important when we were younger.
Not now. If not for Dad making her promise she won’t move out till I graduate, she’d be long gone. And she probably wouldn’t keep in touch.
