I scoff.“Who says I’m impulsive?”
The bastard gives me a pointed look.
“Anyway, you might want to brace yourself because I haven’t gotten to the shitty part yet,” Roman says.
“There’s a shittier part than attending a fundraiser Tight Ass is forcing Cobie to roll out?”Hawke sneers.
I hook my thumb toward him.“See?This man gets it.”
Roman gives him the side-eye.“Your dad wants everyone at the same table like at the last one.”
“Noooo,” I whine.Seriously, can I not catch a damn break?“Why?Why does he have to be such a dick?”
“And why did Cobie have to say yes?”Hawke adds.“She knows he’s an ass.”
It’s an excellent question.One I’ve been asking myself since my conversation with Cobie the other night.
“She’s still under his thumb,” Jagger realizes.
Hawke sighs.“Seems that way, yeah.”
Rubbing my temples, I try easing the pounding in my skull, but considering the fact that it started at school, and one thing after another has been thrown my way ever since leaving the library, I’m well aware it’s a lost cause.I drop my hand to my side and voice what we’re all thinking.
“Well, shit.”
9
JUNE
“Hey, Mama,” I answer.
“Hey, Junie,” she returns.“I hope I’m not interrupting?—”
“No, you’re totally fine.I’m just…” I peek up at the massive, open gate leading to Ford’s home.Do they always leave it open?They must.I can’t decide whether or not it’s a good thing.Probably good, since I promised myself if the gate was closed, I’d hightail it out of here.
“You headin’ to work?”she prods.
“Uh, yup.I'm on my way in now.”
“Already?”
“Yeah, I just had to…” I drive around the large fountain and park in front of the steps leading to the front door.“I needed to drop something off at a friend’s.”
“That’s sweet.Is it Lexie?”
“No, uh.”Man, I wish it was Lexie.“It’s someone else.”
“Bryan?”she suggests.
“No, it’s…” I pinch the bridge of my nose.“It’s a friend of a friend.I made sourdough as a thank you for his help with something and figured I’d drop it off before work.”
“That’s sweet,” she returns.“Your dad and I loved the photo, by the way.Good work, Quasi.”
I smile in spite of myself.“He did well.”
“Looked like it,” she agrees.“Seems like you got the perfect rise, and the crust?I could practically hear the crunch through the photo.”
“Glad you approve.”
