Page 30 of Just a Little Prick

“Touchy.” Ryker leaned against his half-wall. That stupid smirk on his face had the anger in me burning hotter. “I wouldn’t mind a shot at the muffin girl, either. She’s cute.”

“Please. Like you can even get it up for anyone who isn’t Bay.” I snorted, shaking my head. “You stay away from her, too. All of you. Keep your hands off Kenzie and Lora and all the other girls at the bakery.”

Ryker straightened up, frowning at me. “Wow. Okay. Uncalled for, Bradley.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t need to be talking about Lora like that. Shut it and get back to work.”

The conversation died fast. The guys went back to whatever they were doing, and I turned to open my sketchbook again.

Beside it, my phone lit up.

Lora.

Busy tonight. Maybe later, or maybe tomorrow. Text you then.

I text back immediately.Sure. Whenever. Let me know and I’ll be there.

I had a feeling I’d be going home alone tonight.

Chapter Twelve

Lora

Showering after a long day of baking always felt so good. It was nice to scrub away the sweat from the ovens, and all the stray flour and dried batter that got stuck to my skin. I stood in the hot water, idly rubbing the bar of sensitive skin soap over my healing tattoo. It helped with the pain to wash it in warm water, and patting it dry eased the itching a little.

But at the same time, it made me think of Bradley. It made me think of how he touched me. How good it felt when he kissed me—even earlier, when I’d wanted to slap him.

I was in trouble.

I wasn’t supposed to be getting attached. There was no reason for me to have gotten so angry over him and that girl.

That hadn’t stopped me from wanting to scratch her eyes out.

I huffed angrily, shaking my head and rinsing my tattoo. It was the last step; I turned the shower off and started to dry myself, careful of the ink. Stupid Bradley.

Regardless of how involved we were supposed to be, he’d still been kind of an asshole.

I got dressed and headed out to the living room. I kept my place pretty clean, so there wasn’t much to do.

His note was still on my kitchen counter.

Talk later? -B.The butterfly, a trail of stars in its wake.

I sighed. I’d text him again later, I told myself. Just not right now. I couldn’t right now. I’d just say things I didn’t mean.

I reached for the note, intending to move it, but the doorbell ringing caught my attention. I turned to let Kenzie and her friend in.

“Lora! Hey! This is my friend Sydney!” Kenzie wasted no time, jumping right into introductions.

She gestured to the girl with her—pretty, with black hair and bright green eyes. She was a little curvier than me, but had a warm smile.

“It’s nice to meet you! Thanks for letting me crash your girls’ night!” Sydney held one hand out to me.

I took it and shook, smiling back at her. “Hey, of course. It’s nice to meet you.”

We all got comfy on the couch with a bottle of wine. Kenzie ordered pizza but refused to let me pay.

“Listen, you brought the wine, okay?” I said to her. “And you suggested this. I should foot the bill for something!”

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