Page 32 of Only With Me

He frowns. “Why not?”

“I worked all day and am tired.”

I’m also hanging out with Bentley tomorrow afternoon and don’t want to be dragging ass after work.

“That’s never stopped you before. Plus, Ashley’s gonna be there and she wants to hook up.”

That sounds more painful than having poison ivy.

“And how did you hear that?”

“She told me.”

“Thenyouhook up with her. I’m not interested.”

“Been there, done that.”

“Dude.” My upper lip curls in disdain. “Then why would I wanna be with her?”

He shrugs like the carefree asshole he is. “Why not? She was a decent lay. She has a Daddy kink, though, just FYI.”

“And we’re done talkin’ about this.” Nothing against her preferences, but I wasn’t interested before I knew and still not after.

I stand and walk to the kitchen for a beer since the freeloader didn’t even bother to get me one.

“I’m stayin’ in, so you’re gonna haveta go without me,” I tell him when I return to my spot on the couch.

“You’re no fun.”

“Why don’t ya stay in and…oh, I dunno…get more than four hours of sleep?”

“Sounds lame.”

Defeated, I roll my eyes and grab the TV remote. “Well, call me when you need a ride.”

Chapter Seven

Harlow

TWO WEEKS LATER

Icurl my body into itself on the pavement of our driveway and my hands cover my head as a metal bat slams into my ribs. Screaming out in pain, the tears flood down my cheeks.

“You fucking bitch!” the guy shouts above me for the second time.

The first was after I kneed him in the balls.

“Please stop,” I cry out.

“Get away from her!” Dad yells from inside the doorway of the garage, but he can’t help me. He’s in his wheelchair and no one else is home. “I’m gonna kill you, ya bastard!”

Dad’s roaring voice lands on deaf ears because the guy continues kicking me. When his heel digs into my chest, he forces my body to unfold and then the toe of his boot slams into the side of my head.

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I can’t feel much anymore.

My legs are probably broken. I know a few ribs cracked.

I taste blood from my nose.