Page 4 of Asphyxia
“What’s that?” He inquired, arching a curious brow as he eyed it.
“Nothing.” I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. “I broke things off with Amber this morning.”
“About fucking time!” Marcus cheered as if I had just told him it was my birthday. “I told you that bitch was no good for you.”
Marcus had a knack for skipping any form of subtlety when it came to sensitive topics.
“And what would you know about a woman being good aside from in bed?” I teased, trying not to seem as agitated as I felt.
“A lot more than you, apparently, seeing as you let Amber stomp all over your balls for the past year and a half.”
“If you’re looking to piss me off even further, you’re doing a great job right now,” I growled at his mockery.
“Look, all I’m saying is you deserved better.” He sat up, holding his hands in front of him. “I watched as she sank her fangs into you for months—treating you like complete shit—like you were unworthy of being with her.”
While I knew he was right, it did nothing to brighten my mood. All I wanted to do was get the fuck out of this office and grab a drink, but now I had to talk to Derek about this new case and figure out where he wanted us to start.
“I’ve got to talk to Derek about this new assignment, but can we discuss this over a beer after work instead?”
I needed to keep my mind distracted before I did something stupid—like run my sorry ass back to Amber—and even though Marcus pissed me off, venting to him was a better solution than doing nothing at all.
“Sure, I’ve got nothing better to do tonight.” He grinned, his eyes insinuating everything his words didn’t.
“Not to find a hook-up,” I warned, picking up the folder as I stood and stepped around the desk.
“You’ll never get over her without getting under someone else,” Marcus teased with a smirk as he licked his lips. “And you know I’m right.”
I shook my head with a contemplating grin as I left our office and turned the corner to enter Derek’s right next to ours—pretty sure he hated sharing a wall with Marcus now.
Maybe Marcus was right…
Chapter 3
Marcus
Takingaseatacrossfrom Dean at one of the high tops, I slid him a beer as he stared like a zombie at his phone. Austin’s Bar had become our regular hangout spot downtown whenever we needed a break from work or a quick drink.
“Wait, don’t tell me… You’re hoping she’ll text you, begging for your forgiveness again?”
Amber was a cunt, and I fucking hated the way she treated Dean as if he were nothing more than a dog on a leash. This breakup was long overdue.
I tried numerous times to talk Dean out of staying, but he was convinced that it was all just some bullshit phase of their relationship and that he loved her—but there was no love in their relationship. Amber was nothing more than some selfish bitch that abused the fuck out of him and took advantage of his golden retriever personality.
I should have gone with my gut and protected Dean when I had the chance, but he was so wrapped up in Amber that I didn’t want to be the one to tear him away from his happiness—however brief it was.
I only wished I was there when he walked out on her—to see the look on her face as he finally told her togo fuck herself. The thought alone made me smile like a child on Christmas day.
When Dean didn’t answer me, I picked up his phone and rapidly scrolled through his contacts and messages to erase the fucking she-devil from his life for good. I didn’t want him crawling back to her with his tail between his legs like he’d done so many times before—the least I could do this time was save him his dignity.
“Marcus, what the fuck!” Dean barked as he launched himself at me, attempting to grab his phone out of my hand.
“You’ll thank me later. I won’t just sit here and watch that succubus leech any more life out of you—you need an upgrade.” I tossed his phone back once I had blocked and permanently deleted her number.Bye, bitch.
“She wasn’t asuccubus. Just because you two didn’t get alo—”
“She was a fucking narcissist, Dean. Manipulating your ass into believing that she was the center of the fucking universe.”
“Marcus!” Dean growled, his eyes darkening the longer he glared at me.
