I turned around and left, leaving him bewildered.
18
June
I let out a yelp as something poked my thigh.
“Shit!” I cursed.
I barely got out of the thorny bushes, but I didn’t have any broken bones and only a few branches in my hair. By some miracle, I’d made it. I felt my skin on the back of my leg burn and touched it. A little trickle of blood oozed between my fingers.
I’d declared victory too quickly, and that wasn’t even the worst part. A vertical tear in my dress ran down to my groin. Now I was going to kill him. I swear I was gonna kill him with my bare hands in front of everyone.
James thought I’d come back with my tail between my legs, but my thirst for revenge was too great.
I walked around the house and into the living room with messy hair, scratched legs, and a raggedy dress. Nobody noticed me. I could’ve screamed until I was blue in the face when I was locked in the basement, but nobody would’ve come to my rescue because of how drunk they were.
“Look who’s back! Stripper White,” Marvin blurted, massaging the nape of his neck.
I ignored him and scanned the room to pinpoint my target.
“You’d be a lot more fun if you dressed like that every day,” Jackson chimed in from his spot on the couch.
“And we’d all be happier if you fucked off,” I retorted. I heard laughter behind me. Crass and arrogant. Unmistakable.
“What the hell are you laughing at?” I snapped, whirling around.
“CoolandWhitein the same sentence. It’s funny, isn’t it?”
James Hunter looked me up and down without moving.
“You’re a coward,” I accused him.
“Oh really?” He snickered. He was still shirtless, but I didn’t pay attention.
“Come on, you’re picking on a girl,” someone said.
I raised my hand to slap him but he grabbed my wrist and threw me against the wall.
“Hunter, didn’t your parents ever teach you not to lay hands on a woman? Hmm?” I asked.
James swallowed, and I stared at the veins and nerves roping around his neck. He was too close.
Concentrate, June. You’re here to get revenge.
“I was taught that men and women are equal. And you’re the one who punched me.”
His lips moved in front of me, and I caught a glimpse of his perfect white teeth.Don’t get distracted, June.
“Because I hate you.” I paused. “Edward.”
His blue eyes blazed. James pushed his forehead against mine. His lips parted slowly and were so close to mine that I felt the heat coming off them.
“That’s Hunter to you, you little bitch.”
Suddenly a voice startled us.
“June, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
