Page 15 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
I push his wrist away with a chuckle. “Get the hell out of here. God you’re annoying. Anyone ever tell you that?”
“Only the ladies that want me.” I shake my head at his arrogance. “What’s going on, Kellar? Not like you to cry.”
“Yeah, because you know me so well.”
“I do,” he replies insulted. “I’ve known you almost my entire life.”
“You have gone to school with me most of your life, that doesn’t mean you know me.”
“I know you never cry, and I know that Julia is your best friend.” I quirk a brow at him. “I’m not just a pretty face,” he says, tapping his cheek. I turn my face away, trying to hide my smile from him. “I can actually be a good listener, if you give me a chance.”
Silence consumes us as I think about it. Am I seriously considering talking to him about this? I look back at him to see him watching me, and he smirks when he knows he’s got me.
I grab his drink from him and take a hefty sip of some nasty shit then hand it back. Blowing out a heavy breath, I drop my head back on the tree, look up at the starlit sky and think about tonight’s events. “Have you ever done something you aren’t proud of, no matter how good it felt at the time?” I think about my question then laugh. “Never mind, what am I saying—of course you have.”
He grunts, clearly not finding my remark as funny as me. “Nope, I don’t waste my time regretting shit, Goldilocks, and you shouldn’t either. Life is too short. Besides, whatever you did, I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
I keep silent, because I disagree. What I did probably ruined any chance of my father getting that contract, something he deserves to have, and it was all done out of pain and anger.
“Is this about that pig you have a thing for?”
I tense at his remark about Cooper. “Don’t talk about him like that. Not ever, and especially not to me.”
He grunts again. “I figured. You need to get over him, Goldilocks, that prick is so full of himself, you will never be good enough for him.”
I try not to let his words cut me but they do, deeply. I glare back at him. “You’re a real asshole, you know that?”
I begin to get up but he grabs my arm and pulls me back down. “Whoa, hold up now. I didn’t mean it because you aren’t good enough. I just meant that, to him, you never will be. That asshole thinks his shit don’t stink, and it’s because he’s been labeled the town golden boy ever since he moved here, all because of who his daddy is.”
I think about his statement and realize it’s partly true. Cooper’s dad grew up here and was the town’s legend when it came to football. He even went on to play pro for a few years. When the star quarterback returned to coach the high school football team, Cooper was immediately lumped into the same category as his father. Especially after proving his talents on the field by bringing home state championships two years in a row. I guess Cooper is partly labeled the town golden boy because of his father, but he also deserves that title. Even though I am pissed at him, there is no denying that he is a good guy. One day he will become Sunset Bay’s Sheriff and I have no doubt he will be a good one. Besides my father, he’s the best man I know… Ugh! Now I feel like crying all over again.
I’m suddenly pulled out of my thoughts when I feel Mark’s hand grasp the inside of my thigh. I immediately slap it away and glare at him. “What the hell are you doing?”
An irritating smirk tilts his lips. “I’m trying to get your mind off your troubles. Come on, Goldilocks, fuck him out of your system, I’m a willing participant.”
I gape at him when I realize he’s completely serious. Shaking my head, I expel a bitter laugh. “God, and here I thought just maybe you actually had a decent bone in your body, but I guess not.” I try to get up again but he grabs my arm, a little rougher than before and pulls me back down. “Get your fucking hand off me before I break it.”
“Come on, don’t be like that.” He leans in to kiss me and I smack him across the face, hard enough that it stings my hand.
“I told you to back off!”
I attempt to stand again but this time he grabs me by my hair. “I don’t think so, bitch.” He yanks me back down, drawing a startled cry from me. All of a sudden I’m on my stomach with his weight over top of me and panic immediately floods my system.
“Get off of me!” I kick and fight with everything I have to get free but I’m not strong enough and I quickly realize I’m in real trouble here. I start to scream but he shoves my face into the ground, the rough earth biting painfully into my cheek.
“Just stay still, and I promise I will make it better.”
My teeth clench in rage. I quickly spot a big rock only an arm’s length away. As he fumbles with my pants I’m able to slip my arm out from under me and grab it. Somehow I manage to wiggle and turn myself over just enough so that I can swing the rock and connect it with his face. A painful howl leaves him and I take quick action of his shock to slide myself out from underneath him. He grabs my ankle to drag me back but I’m able to kick free. As soon as I get on my feet I haul ass.
“You fucking bitch!” I glance back and see him getting up to chase after me.
Panic has me pushing myself faster. I begin screaming as I get closer to the party, hoping someone will hear me. I turn back to find out how close Mark is but I don’t see him, then, suddenly, I slam into a brick wall. Arms quickly grab me to steady me, and my fear has me fighting to get free, thinking somehow he ended up in front of me.
