Page 148 of Unsuitable

I jog down the stairs of my building and let myself out the main door. The cool morning air hits my face, nipping at my cheeks.

Letting the door close behind me, I stand there for a moment. Hands on hips, I tip my head back to face the sky, watching the clouds drift over, as I take some deep breaths of fresh air.

Steady breaths in and out.

See? I’m starting to feel better already.

“Daisy.”

My body freezes at the sound of that voice. I know that voice. I know it well.

And there goes my good feeling.

Heart pounding, I lower my head, and my eyes meet with the one person I never wanted to see again. “Jason.”

He’s standing a few feet away, and I’m glad to say he looks terrible. His eyes are bloodshot, dark rings circling them. His hair looks like it hasn’t been washed or cut since I last saw him, and his clothes are crumpled. He looks a mess.

“What are you doing here?” I’m not surprised at the level of anger in my voice.

“Daisy.” He takes a step forward.

Everything inside me screams to step away, but hatred and pride have my feet firmly set in place.

The breeze blows between us, and I get a strong whiff of alcohol.

“Are you drunk right now?” I scowl.

He lets out a low laugh. It sounds pitiful. Unsurprisingly, I can’t find a shred of sympathy for him.

“If you drink constantly, does that constitute as being drunk, or is it just your normal state?”

“I’m not in the mood for games, Jason. Why the fuck are you here?”

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you swear.”

“Yeah, well, prison will change a girl. Now. What. Do. You. Want?” My hands are clenched into fists at my sides.

“I just…” He softly shakes his head. “I just heard you were out, and I needed to see you. Needed to see that you were okay.”

I slap him. Hard.

The sound rings out in the silence surrounding us. And my hand stings like a bitch.

That is the first time I have ever hit anyone.

I don’t feel better for it.

My adrenaline spiked, my body is shaking, and my chest is heaving with heavy breaths, like I’ve just run a marathon.

I want to cry. And scream.

Seriously, it never rains, but it fucking pours. I fall for Kas, and he lies to me. And, the very next morning, my lying bastard of an ex turns up on my doorstep.

I have the worst luck of anyone ever.

Unfocused eyes come back to mine. “I deserved that.” His words are soft.

“You deserve more,” I grit out.