Page 5 of Mine to Claim

“Oh, my…” I murmured between chewing.

Halfway through the meal his phone vibrated against the table and once again, it was second to none. When the waiter came back and asked me how it was, I gushed about the food before asking for the check. He gave me an empathetic look and returned shortly to drop it in front of Parker. He completely ignored it, too enthralled with whoever was on the other side of the phone. Fed up, I picked up the little black book holding the bill and stuffed in a wad of ones and fives.Plus a 20% tip because customer service isn’t freaking easy. I barely have a few dollars left to my name, but it was worth it.

“Thank you. The food was amazing. No change.” I passed him the book and got up.

“Of course. I hopeyouhave an amazing night.” He didn’t so much as look at Parker as he walked away.

“What was that about?” Parker grumbled, but I didn’t bother giving him an answer as I pushed my chair back. Standing, I headed out without another word. I took the elevator alone and gave the ticket to the valet. I stood out in the cold in front of his car with my arms crossed in front of my chest. When he made his way outside, I was already contemplating his death. The urge to slap him rattled through me, but I’ve never so much as killed a spider.

As soon as the attendant pulled up, I yanked the door open and slid in. The seat was cold and I stared at him as he slowly made his way around to the driver’s side. Parker was the cutest guy I’ve dated. With his blonde hair swept effortlessly to the side and his blue eyes, he was the perfect cover model.He’s easily the hottest guy at UW, but I’ve never wanted to be as violent with someone as I do right this moment.I tried and failed to take deep breaths to calm myself down. As soon as he was in and closed the door, he held his precious phone at an angle so I couldn’t see his screen.I can’t hold it in anymore.

“Is this so-called project more important than me?” I started as I faced him.

“First off, why are your panties in a twist? Holy shit,” he said exasperated, as if this was coming out of nowhere.

“You’ve said maybe three sentences to me since you picked me up. Who’re you writing and why aren’t you being present right now?”

He shook his head and brushed me off like I was the one who wasn’t making sense. Turning on the car he cranked up the heat and pulled away from the restaurant.

“I don’t know what your deal is, but lay off. I need you to chill the fuck out.” He brushed a stray strand out of his face as he quickly glanced at the screen.

“Are you actually fucking kidding me? I’m pissed and you can’t give me more than a second of your time?” After how he’d acted this entire evening, I shouldn’t have been, but I was in disbelief.

“Lila. Lay off,” Parker warned through clenched teeth.

My jaw drops because for once I know he’s the one in the wrong. I saw the silence filling the car for what it was—distance. If I was a priority he would be trying to hold my hand, trying to fix the misunderstanding, trying to make it up to me, but he wasn’t doing any of those things. He saw my frustration as a reason for him to be upset with me and not a sign that he’d royally screwed up. I was stuck between wanting to fix it and knowing I couldn’t let it slide. His warning repeated in my head, but the storm was waging and there was no pulling it back.He’s fine with me sitting here with my mouth shut as long as I let him do what he’s doing. My needs take a backseat when his wants are involved. I hate it and I’m so done.

I snatched his phone mid-text, and he cursed. The car swerved and jerked to a stop on the shoulder. When he reached for it, I dodged, leaning toward my door. His nails clawed at my cheek, and I cried out. I blocked him as best I could while he fought to grab it back.

On the screen was a picture of a woman I recognized, posing in a mirror selfie. She wore lingerie and had a pencil-thin frame. Beneath it, one sentence burned into me:

Does she know you’re coming to me after?

“Give me my phone, Lila!” he yelled as my stomach twisted. Sitting back, I let him yank it from my hands. He threw his phone against the dash and it ricocheted back, hitting me just below the eye. A sharp cry escaped me as he yanked my hair so hard my scalp tingled.

“I knew something was going on,” I cried. He shoved me face down, bashing my nose against the dash. Releasing me, I held my face as blood dripped down my hands. When he looked at me, he had the audacity to look angry.

“Can you blame me? You never put out. I’ve got needs. You had to go and be a nosy ass bitch and now you’ve hurt your own feelings,” he spat. My chest ached as I replayed the last few weeks, trying to figure out when it started.

“Are you seriously blaming me for the fact you were sneaking around like a rat?” I hissed. Before I knew what was happening, his hand snapped out and I hit the back of my head against the window. There was a flash of white as it banged and I swear I heard something crack. Blinding pain shot through me and I screamed. Hunching forward, I grabbed my eye as warmth drenched my shirt.

“Look what you fucking made me do.” Parker’s voice was cold and collected. Nothing like the way he was acting.

“I… I…” my words died as my eyes watered. Parker had been rough with me before, but he’d never hit me. I was at a loss for words. My ears were ringing as my mind struggled to grasp what had happened.

Parker hit me. No, he punched me.

What. the. fuck.

“I told you I’ve been stressed. You made me wait for so long. So, yes, I needed to get my dick wet somewhere. Don’t start fucking crying like this is my fault,” Parker sneered. His eyes flashed and I swear they almost looked yellow. My tears had broken the dam and I was full on sobbing now.I might not be the prettiest or skinniest, but I know I don’t deserve this.

“Stop the car,” I hiccuped.

Parker kept driving like he hadn’t heard me. His gaze darted between the road and the floor. He was still focused on his phone, on her, and that just confirmed it all.

“Parker, stop the fucking car!” I screamed.

He hit the breaks and I pried the door open. I hopped out, and his roar chased me down the shoulder.

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