Page 26 of Dark Things
This seems to pique her attention, but not enough for a full-blown emotional response.
“What are you mixed up with, Brooks Templeton?” she whispers before breaking my hold on her arm.
As I’m about to ask what the fuck she means, a shriek sounds from behind me. I close my eyes, nostrils flaring on the next inhale.
“What the fuck, Brooks!” Mary screeches. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. I shiver before I can think betterof it. Still staring at me, Reb clocks all my expressions, and for the first time since I saw her up close, her smile breaks across her face.
I’m momentarily stunned by the sight. Her whole face morphs, and for a moment, I’m lost in the past and the present at the same time. My chest pangs, and my heart aches. My breath hitches, but before I can say anything she’s backing away and turning away from us.
“I told you, bitch; don’t talk to my man,” Mary says.
“Big guy was just telling me about how much he couldn’t wait to see you again. He seemed so excited.”
She winks at me before taking off, and I swear she chuckles.
Fuck.
I spin around and face Mary. “What the fuck do you want?” I growl.
I can’t hide my annoyance this time. If we didn’t need her father for more information about where to look for Belle, I would have kicked this bitch to the curb a long time ago. She’s the last fucking person I want to talk to. Tonight cannot come soon enough.
“Is that anyway to talk to me, Brooky? I saw you with her. You had your hand on her arm. I want you to stay away from that skank.”
If I ever decided to start hitting women, I’m most definitely starting with Mary. I couldn’t even bring myself to touch her the whole time we’ve been ‘dating.’ She makes my skin fucking crawl, but I would doanything to find Belle, even put up with this obnoxious bitch.
It tookall afternoon to shut Mary up about Reb. She went into a whole tirade about Reb at the last football game. It’s almost like she can smell our interest in Reb and wants to put a stop to it before something happens. Too bad for Mary this is the last time I’m ever going to be talking to her about anything.
“Why did we even come here? It’s so trashy, I mean look at the booths, there’s duct tape. You should have taken me somewhere nicer. I know Daddy isn’t going to be happy about this,” Mary hisses while we’re being shown to a table in the corner.
Manny’s is a typical mom and pop diner that’s been around for ages, but of course Mary doesn’t see it as the food being the best around; she only sees the lack of fancy decor.
“Honestly, Mary I don’t give a fuck what you tell your father. Sit down and stop being a fucking snob. We’re getting a burger; it's not like they’re trying to serve you escargot,” I reply, sitting down and taking the menu from the waitress.
Mary grumbles while she tucks herself into the chair across from me. She’s as miserable as ever, but I needed this to happen in a place where she can’t make too much of a scene. Hopefully, she takes it better thanI anticipate, but Staff and Colt are in the truck out back in case I need a quick getaway.
“Whatever, I just want to eat so we can get to the party. It’s bad enough that you made me drive here. I was looking forward to drinking. I didn’t want to take my car.”
I clench my jaw and flip my menu up so I don’t scream in her face. God this is going to be the longest fucking dinner I’ve ever had to sit through, and that’s saying something because I’ve been at my fair share of stuffy, boring, rich people parties since I was a kid.
The bell above the door rings as I place my menu down, and I swear under my breath before darting my eyes away from Reb and Aslyn coming inside.
“What the fuck is she doing here? Is she stalking us? And what the fuck is Aslyn doing with her?” Mary says, as she’s trying to turn in her seat.
I grab her wrist and try to make her stay seated, but it seems Mary’s looking for more of a fight.
“Don’t you fucking dare. She’s not here for you or me; leave it alone,” I say, teeth gritted.
“Why are you trying to protect her? She’s with Aslyn, and I want to fucking know how she thinks that’s acceptable. I told all the girls on the team she wasn’t supposed to be spoken to.”
I squeeze her wrist a little harder before letting go. I can’t fucking do this anymore.
“You know what, Mary. I’m done. I can’t keep doing this with you anymore. You’re self-centered and a giantpain in the ass. You think you’re better than everyone else, and you make everyone around you miserable. I’m out. Enjoy your fucking burger. Don’t call me.”
“Brooks! What are you fucking talking about!”
I get up from my chair, and my eyes connect with Reb’s for a moment as I make my way over to the front door. She looks at me and Mary before her lips curl up in a smile. And then she winks. Winks.
What the fuck?
