So it’s strange to find I feel shitty right now.
“You’re not listening. Lav is—”
“Don’t call her that,” I snap, curling my hand around the apple.
“What?”
Like a snake striking, I’m up from the desk, the apple bouncing to the floor as I wrap my hands in his jacket. “Your sister would appreciate it if you used her full name,” I enunciate carefully. Okay, through gritted teeth.
“Piss off! You’ve only known her five minutes,” he says, trying to smack my hand away. “Don’t try to tell me about my own fucking sister.”
“Who also happens to bemywife.”
“Yeah, and I’m wondering what kind of idiot that makes you.”
Tension flares in my biceps, my fingers tightening on his lapels. But if I was going to hurt this idiot, it would’ve happened before now. Maybe that was my first mistake because if I had hurt him, he wouldn’t be standing here now, cocksure and insolent.
“Get the fuck out.” My arm moves like a piston, propelling him in the direction of the door. I didn’t like him before. I like him a whole lot less now.
“You’ve got this all wrong,” he says, straightening from his stumble. He pulls on the front of his jacket. “But I get it. I really do. You want to hurt me. You want revenge.”
“If I wanted revenge, I would’ve burned your fucking house down months ago.”
“Steady on.” He blinks, shaking off his shock. “Talk about overreacting.”
“Did Polly drop you on your head when you were young?” What is it with this idiot?
“Look, Lav—I mean, Lavender, she’s gonna drive you insane.”
“Maybe I like insanity,” I retort, moving closer. “Maybe I’m insane myself. You ever think of that?”
“I hear you’re more reasonable than others with similar business practices.”
Fuck. Ishould’vebeaten him to a pulp already.
Too late now. Lavender probably wouldn’t like it.
“You’re not even her type.”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“She has a thing for wounded birds, my sister. And that’s only because she gets to pluck off their wings.”
“That’s bullshit.” And he knows it.
“Is it? Tod’s been trotting behind her like a Pekinese for two years now. All sad eyes and panting tongue. She says ‘jump,’ and the idiot asks how high. Roll over, Tod, and he does. Just so she can kick him in the balls.”
“I don’t give a fuck about Tod. And I don’t give a fuck aboutyou.”
“What about Lavender? You give a fuck about her, or are you just fucking her?”
I lunge for him again, though he jerks out of reach, careening in the direction of the opening door.
“What the fuck!”
“Oi!” Lavender complains from the other side as it slams shut on her. When she opens it a second time, I have Brin in my grip.
“What’s going on?” Lavender’s brows lift expectantly.
