“Yeah?”
My grin widened. “I think we can do a better job.”
Chapter 38
Serenity
I’D FANTASIZED ABOUT GETTING REVENGE on different people a handful of times throughout my life. I’d spend sleepless, restless hours stewing in fake scenarios where I’d get even with everyone who hurt me—Scarlett, Courtney, Cassidy, John. But I always left those imaginary sequences deciding that revenge would just stoop me to their level, and I wanted to be better than them.
So instead, I pictured certain characters in my books as each of them. These characters were always the assholes who eventually died or got defeated. They were also minor characters, because they didn’t deserve more than that.
Now, as I walked from my car toward Oakley’s, that sentiment was gone. Revenge was exactly whathedeserved, and I couldn’t wait to deliver my sweet gift.
Prioritizing myself and my needs was still new for me, but each time I took a step in that direction, the easier the next step became until I was making actual strides toward something brighter.
Those steps currently had me waltzing up to the table Bradley sat at with his friends. I’d texted him, letting him know I wanted to meet, and he’d quickly responded that he was here. That was perfect. I wanted his stupid friends to see.
It was the first time we’d exchanged words in over a month. I’d been too busy with finding myself as best as I could while he’d apparently been recovering. He’d been out of work from some sort of accident that broke both of his hands. That had made being at work easier for me, because I hadn’t been ready to see him, yet.
I was ready now.
Courtney spotted me first, nudging Cassidy with a snicker. Cassidy’s haughty gaze traced my black minidress. It was tight, exposing every curve, and a laced bow was all that kept it secured right over my cleavage. Unlike the past, I didn’t let her, John, or anyone else’s disgusted looks stop me from holding my head high.
“Dollface,” Bradley greeted when I reached his side. Dark circles lined his eyes, but his smile was wide and eager, most likely because he thought I was crawling back to him again without him even having to love bomb me.
I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my body into his. His brows shot up, and he rested his hands, which were still bound in casts, on my hips to pull me closer between his legs.
“Damn,” he laughed huskily. “You really missed me, huh?”
Cassidy scoffed, and Courtney gagged around a giggle. Normally, I would’ve ignored those things and internalized the hurt they caused behind my mask. Not today. Today, they were facing a new Serenity, one with a demon at her back and a sword of confidence in hand.
With my arms still wrapped around Bradley’s neck, I looked at the two girls and met their condescending stares head on. “Do you have something to say?”
They stared at me. Courtney’s smile cracked, and Cassidy’s eyes narrowed.
“Did we say anything?” Cassidy snarled. “I don’t think so.”
I nodded slowly with a purse of my lips. “Ahh, forgive me. I heard the sound of two bitches and mistook them for you. After all, that’s what you two are. Cold-hearted bitches.”
Cassidy reared back like I’d hit her while Courtney’s jaw dropped. I’d never talked back to them. I’d never spoken up when they made fun of me under their breath or directly to my face. The shock of me doing so now left them speechless.
“Woah,” Bradley chuckled nervously, patting my waist with his thick casts. “Someone’s feisty tonight.”
I turned back to my old lover and flashed him a sensual grin. I tilted my head so that my long hair fell back over my shoulder and my cleavage stood out. “More than you know. Can we go to your place now? I want you to see just howfeistyI’m feeling.”
Bradley’s breath hitched, and his lustful gaze zeroed in on the tops of my round breasts. John let out a low whistle, which earned him a hard shove from Courtney on his other side.
“Let’s go,” Bradley said with gravel in his voice.
I dragged my hands from his neck, down his shoulder and arm, before grabbing his wrapped hand, all while a confident smirk adorned my red-painted lips. He didn’t see the pacing tiger hiding behind the doe-like grin.
“What the fuck happened to her?” John whispered to Mark as I pulled Bradley away.
“Did she get hot or something?” Mark murmured back in a poor attempt at whispering.
The overheard conversation only emboldened me as I walked Bradley to my car. I should’ve stood up for myself a long time ago, because that shit felt good.
But not as good as what was coming would.
