Page 181 of Filthy Beautiful
Since they were taking two cars and had two designated drivers, I didn’t really have an excuse to stop them. Courteney wouldn’t even look at me, much less talk to me. So I just let them go.
Except Larissa. As they filtered out to the driveway, I grabbed Trey’s sister by the wrist and stopped her.
“If that guy hurts her,” I told her, “I’m gonna have a problem with it, Larissa.”
Larissa’s eyes went big and round. “He won’t. Stephan’s a nice guy.”
“Right.”
She looked me up and down. Then she lifted her chin, like she was looking down on me, even though she was like five-four, at best.
“If you want her,” she said, “why don’t you just tell her so? You’re always playing games with her.” Then she planted her hands on her hips. “MaybeIhave a problem with it ifyouhurt her.”
Well. That was unexpected.
Sure, I’d seen Larissa sass her brother, plenty. But she’d never sent any attitude in my direction before.
She cocked an eyebrow at me expectantly. “Well?” she demanded. “Nothing to say for yourself? You’re not gonna admit that you like her?”
“I think I likeyoubetter when you’re giving me the gears,” I said.
She kinda sniffed and turned on her heel.
I caught her arm again.
“I’m serious, Larissa. If he tries anything, I want you to text me. I’ll come pick her up.”
She pressed her lips together, skeptical.
“Don’t let her go home with him.”
“He lives next door,” she pointed out.
“I don’t care. If she comes home with him, we’re gonna have a problem.”
She made a dismissivetsshhtsound. “I’m not her babysitter and you’re not her daddy, so stop being gross, Xander. You’ve been acting like a pervy chaperone all day. Courteney is smart. If you want her, just be a man about it.”
With that, she turned on her heel and took off to catch up with her friends—who were honking their horns like drunken maniacs in the driveway, calling her name.
Jesus Christ.
I slammed my way back into the house as they took off, and I went upstairs to change. No way was I sitting here with my dick in my hand while they went out partying.
I changed into jeans and a nice shirt, grabbed my wallet. Smoothed back my hair. Changed out my nose ring for the diamond stud. Maybe I’d go pick up with Trey tonight.
Fuck someone.
Fuck a whole lot of someones until Courteney Clarke’s pussy was a distant memory.
Yeah. Right.
I made it as far as the front steps and sat down, keys in hand. Then I went around back and started cleaning up all the shit they’d left by the pool.
After I cleaned up, I ordered in dinner. I texted Cary to see if he wanted anything, but he didn’t answer.
So I ate takeout in front of Netflix, alone. I even changed into sweats.
Then I fucking sat around for the rest of the evening, alternating between watching TV, checking my phone, checking the driveway, and sweating a girl who was avoiding me. Like a fucking loser.
