Page 120 of Now to Forever

He grins, like this is good news. Like he knew I’d know who he was, like he’s some kind of steaming-hot pile of golden shit I’d be lucky to step in.

“The one and only,” he says, preening as he raises his glass.

I am no longer in control of my body, covering the distance of the six barstools that separate us. This is the guy that beat the shit out of Wanda and never paid; no way in hell is he coming out of this place with both testicles.

“And my lovely date, Jessica.” He beams.

And then I look at thelovely dateand know for the first time in my life the stars have aligned. I’ve won the mother lode.

“Jessicunt,” I say, feeling my lips curl into an evil grin. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“You two know each other?” Cal asks, oblivious to the revenge story I’m plotting, which involves me flushing their ashes down a shit-filled toilet.

Jessica looks at me, and it pleases me to see that she hasn’t aged well. Lines run like canyons on her face and, in an attempt to retain her youth, she wears too much foundation and has lips filled to the point of resembling a balloon animal.

“Oh yes,” she says, lifting a martini—she would drink a martini—up to her lips. “I’ve known Scotty since she was trailer trash. Now I’m getting to relive our glory days as the Callahan girl plays pretend too.”

Bitch.She knew—probably helped—execute whatever was done at Homecoming to Wren.

“Ben,” I call, not looking away from her ugliest shit shade of brown eyes.

“Yeah?”

“You know June’s number?”

“Uh. Maybe? I have Camp’s for sure. Why?”

“I need you to call them. Tell them I’m sorry, but they need to come get me. I smashed my phone.” He’s quiet, but I don’t take my eyes off Jessica. “Got it?”

“Yeah.”

I turn to Cal. “Cal, I wish Wanda would have been a better killer.”

He blinks, confused, but there’s no time for him to say anything.

I sling my arm back and snap it forward, punching him right in the nose.

Blood spurts.

Jessicunt screams.

Ben shouts, “Jesus, Scotty!”

Cal cups his hands around his nose with a grunt and spits, “You stupid, crazy bitch.”

I pick up his drink, dump it on his head, then bring the glass down to his crotch, pressing the rim into what I assume to be a pitifully small penis until he wails with pain. I increase the pressure as I lean close to him.

“Bet you won’t be so keen to beat up a woman when you’re a dickless eunuch.”

Cal moans in pain, begging until I coolly return the glass to the bar.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Jessica jumps to her feet, toppling her stool over. “You always were a piece of trash. Never did see what Ford saw in you.”

I guffaw. “You never could handle the fact he wasn’t interested in your deep throat,” I snark. “And we fucked on the hood of your Camry.”

Her jaw drops; I grin, jerking my arm back then sending my fist flying forward straight to her jaw, which it connects to with a crack.

“That’s for fucking with Ford’s kid,” I grit out.

---