Page 25 of The Monster I Am
Okay. It might be a softened version without actual violence, but the words are still the same. At least he’s consistent.
“You can try,” I taunt, unable to fight back the smile which he mirrors.
I just start to lean down, drawn to his lips when a pair of hands grab my waist, yanking me backwards off the platform.
“My turn!” Tai grins, slamming his mouth to mine before I can protest. Rylan, with no vocal blockages, very loudly curses.
“Fuck’s sake, T!”
Pulling back slightly, I jump in as referee out of pity—and because it’s entertaining as hell. “Calm your tits and balls. No need to fight over me. Unless you want to do it in the cage. In that case, I’mallfor watching that.”
Rylan looks delighted at the idea, smirking when Tai slowly pulls back to glance his way. Not too far, though, still close enough that when Rylan opens his mouth to speak, Tai kisses me again.
At this stage, the cage might definitely be getting some extra use later. Though, if I’m being honest, Tai seems more like a lover rather than a fighter. But he has been known to surprise me from time to time.
“This is ridiculous,” Lannister hisses under his breath, tone sharp and full of venomous disdain that it actually does manage to separate us.
Rylan glances over to his friend, concerned. “What’s up, Hunter? You’ve been in a weird mood all night.”
Twisting around in Tai’s arms to face the two guys, I’m instantly annoyed when Lannister continues to act as though I’m nonexistent. Normally, I couldn’t care less. This is Lannister’s default setting whenever I’m in his direct vicinity. But given what happened this week, I can’t help but wonder what I’ve done to piss him off to this level.
The whole situation is giving me emotional whiplash. If he wants to continue to be an asshole and hate me, fine. But pick a damn lane and stick to it.
One minute he acts like I don’t exist, the next he speaks to me as if we’re back to day one of our dreaded forced proximity. Then he turns up at my house and has some mental breakdown.
It’s exhausting. I cannot keep up with his mood swings.
And they say women are the emotional ones…
Lannister dramatically huffs. “Nothing is wrong. You just don’t need to be shoving this ridiculous affair in my face. Grow up. You’re acting like horny freshmen.”
My eyebrow shoots up at the same time as Rylan’s. Behind me, Tai’s arms go rigid around my waist, clearly taken aback as well by Lannister’s random outburst.
Rylan stands up from his seat, turning to his friend. “What the fuck, H? That was completely uncalled for. What the hell is your problem?”
Slamming his hands down on the arms of the chair, Lannister shoots up, standing face to face with Rylan. “You’re just showing off. I get it—you’re pissed or whatever. But I don’tcareabout this display of PDA. Don’t forget, we have a job to do. But apparently, I’m the only one taking it seriously.”
The air thickens around the four of us as silence creeps in. When the other two don’t say anything straight away, I speak up. “We’re all taking it seriously, Lannister. But it’s fight night for fuck’s sake. We’re allowed a break for a few hours.”
The asshole finally notices me, staring daggers. “Oh, please. This little arrangement worked out conveniently well for you.” His eyes dart to Tai behind me before a sneer crosses his face. “Are we really certain this wasn’t orchestrated by someone from Cedar Heights?”
“Seriously?” I snarl. “We’re getting back on this little merry-go-round?”
“It’s a valid question, Duchess.”
“Sort your shit out, Lannister. Go have a nap or eat a snackor something.”
“You really want to mess with me, Spencer?”
“Sure, why not?” I answer, unfazed.
“That’s enough, Hunter,” Rylan snaps. “You don’t need to speak to Bexley like that. And why the hell do you think we’re pissed off at you?”
The pair are staring daggers at each other, and when Lannister’s eyes dart sideways toward me, it clicks.
He assumes I told them about his visit to my house.
I see the moment the truth dawns on him, Lannister taking half a step back. “Just forget about it. We’re done here. Feel free to stay, but I’m heading home. Make sure you lock up.”
