Page 155 of Broken by my Bully
“What do other charity cases like youneed, Haven?” I stage-whisper, my sucker stick pointing her way.
She flushes, and just for a moment, I swear I can see those marks around her throat.
And fuck if that doesn’t make me hard.
I did that. Me.
Melissa stands so fast her chair almost falls over. “How dare you speak to a GAZ sister like that?”
“Actually, Melissa?” Hillary leans forward, arms on the table, boxing in the impressively thick file she’s compiled for the dance. “Haven isn’t a sister. She’s not even a pledge.“
“She’s right, Parker,” I say, pocketing my chewed-up stick in favor of unwrapping a fresh new sucker. “Haven’s an only child.” I pop the new sucker in my mouth, swirling it over my tongue.
That ought to do it.
But the bitch ignores me. Havenfuckingignores me.
She’s looking at Hillary, grabbing Melissa’s wrist and urging her back into her seat.
Yeah, I’ve heard this one.
Don’t feed the trolls, right, Haven?
I don’t eat scrawny mice like you. Hunger won’t drive me away from this bridge. I’m here to stay.
Unlike you.
“We could use some ideas, if you’ve got any,” Hillary says, glancing over at me like she’s wondering if I’m going to object again.
I purse my lips, flicking out my hands, giving Haven the floor. If she wants the spotlight on her so badly, then she must have it. Shewon’t come crying to me when she makes a fool of herself in front of everyone.
“Uh…yeah…I don’t have a copy of the list, but is there pet food on there?”
I laugh, but no one joins me.
Fuck, no one’s even looking at me.
“This is a charity event for people, not pets,” Hillary explains carefully, as if Haven might not be up to speed yet.
That kinda pisses me off. I never implied Haven was dumb, just poor. Hillary doesn’t let up, she’s going straight onto my shit list.
“Riversiders love animals.” Haven has the fucking audacity to look over at me like she’s making a point. “Everyone I knew had at least two dogs and shared a few cats between them and their neighbors.”
They laugh at that for some fucked-up reason. I cross my arms over my chest, gobsmacked by what the fuck is happening. When did my poor church mouse turn into a show pony?
“Pet food is really expensive, so we—theybuy the cheapest brand. That stuff’s so bad for the animals, they end up needing vet visits no one can afford.”
“What’s the problem?” I scoff. “No shortage of shotguns down there.”
Noweveryone’s paying attention to me.
Hillary even fucking gasps.
“Jesus, come on!” I throw my hands up. “It was a fucking joke.”
“Animal cruelty is a joke to you?” Haven says sharply.
My mouth opens, but fuck it if all my words don’t dry up. If she’s talking about thatfuckingsquirrel again, I swear?—
