Page 69 of The Monster I Am
Cedar Heights are heading to the beach while the Willowbrook people go wherever it is they go after fight night. Probably a fancy dress ball or something.
The three men stand as I cross the room with Arch, Tai being the first to spring from the platform to squeeze me in a bear hug.
“Careful! I’m fragile goods,” I groan, squeaking as his muscular arms tighten around my back and I swear I hear something crack like a glowstick.
“Nothing fragile about you,” Hunter comments playfully. “Perkins on the other hand…”
I throw him an amused smile over Tai’s shoulder. “Is he going to be okay?” I ask.
Rylan snorts. “Who cares? He deserved it after flashing his man-tits at me.”
Tai lets go and my body sags from the pressure release. “It was most definitely the strangest pre-fight gloating I’ve ever seen,” I agree. “At least he didn’t rub his nipple at you. I’m mortified that I know what shade of lipstick he should be wearing.”
The expression on Hunter’s face hardens. “He won’t be doing much rubbing for a while now.”
“Ah, yes. The disappointment of left flaps everywhere is ricocheting the universe into an off-balance,” I mock. “Those poor Willowbrook women.”
“That’s being generous,” Arch interjects. “You’re giving too much credit to believe he knows where to locate the labia majora. He probably thinks women give birth from their assholes.”
I wrinkle my nose in disgust. “I bet he’s one of those idiots that thinks we can turn our periods on and off.”
Arch laughs. “It was cute that he thought he had a chance in hell against Parker.”
Rylan sneaks up beside me. “That was a good call pairing them up.”
I narrow my eyes suspiciously at the four of them. “You sneaky snakes. Never thought I’d see the day when the four of you would get along.”
Shrugging nonchalantly, Arch smirks at Ry. “You know what they say—if you can’t beat them…”
“Fuck them?” I offer with a snort.
“No offence to Roberts but the only asshole I’m interested in is yours, Bexley,” Hunter grunts.
I smile slyly at him. “I’m not sure if you’re calling me one or talking about something else.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” he replies back sharply. “Take your pick if you like.”
Throwing an amused glance at Arch, I mumble, “See—nothing has changed. Still no love lost between enemies.”
Chapter twenty-two
Bexley
I’m not entirely sure if I’m flattered by the babysitting arrangement the guys have implemented among themselves or offended that they think I need supervision.
Either way, itiskind of nice having company in the house. For once, I’m not drowning in the quiet. Ry, Hunter, and Tai have been taking turns spending the night, though if Mayor Astor decides to turn up, who knows what the plan would be. It would be the world’s most awkward family reunion. Maybe I should keep snacks in the house in case. Food makes everything better.
Could candy fix that situation? Probably not… but no harm in trying, right?
Scratch that. Hard liquor seems like the better option.
I suppose there are some benefits for them though. I’ve never been sorer, but it’s the best kind so I have no complaints.
Well, the only complaint is that Tai might actually be a wolf in disguise. The body heat on that man is insane, and no surprise, he’s a grade-five clinger in his sleep. I wake up all sweaty just from his body squishing against mine. None of them will let mebe the big spoon, and despite my promises that their assholes would be safe, I keep finding myself waking up to boners digging into the backs of my thighs.
When Monday rolled around, I had high hopes that the hostile energy had been taken down a notch thanks to the double fight nights. But even with Perkins’ punishment on display and offering more stress relief at the warehouse, I’m frustrated to find I’m still on the receiving end of small-minded bullying tactics.
It’s mostly words though, and the occasional object hurled at me. Thankfully the throwers aren’t Olympic athletes by any means. I’m actually concerned by how poor their aim is given the level of funding Willowbrook receives. No one has tried to touch or corner me though, so I guess that’s a win. Definitely not worth mentioning to the guys. They are already on edge and I’m worried that one minor inconvenience may send them into a full-blown meltdown and ruin the entire plan.
