Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 51243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“It means it was a long time ago. It has nothing to do with you, and she has nothing to do with whatever’s left of us.”
“Whatever’s left?” She laughed bitterly. “I’m keeping all these clothes and the car.”
“That’s fine.”
“I hope you’re happy with her.”
“We’re not together.”
“Sure.” She crossed her arms, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. “How many other girlfriends has she ruined for you?”
I didn’t answer.
There was nothing left to say anyway.
I walked out without another word, the echo of my footsteps following me down the hall and out into the cold air.
The night air hit harder than I expected—sharp, sobering, and colder than it should’ve been.
BULLY YEARS: ELEVENTH GRADE (FIRST SEMESTER)
AUDREY
Ohhhh my god!
I looked at this week’s ranking board in AP English, blinking my eyes to make sure what I was seeing was true.
I was ranked number one in the class—again.
Taylor was tied at number three with George Thompson, proving that he was falling off for the second month in a row.
What the hell is his deal lately?
Picking up my folder, I looked over at him.
“Why the long face?” I asked.
“Like you actually give a fuck.”
“You’re right. I don’t.”
I put away my pens and triple-checked my essay packet before zipping my bag.
“Erica dumped me,” Taylor said. “Out of nowhere, she just fucking dumped me.”
“Wow. That sucks.” I picked up my laptop. “I’m sure you’ll lure some other victim into your web soon, though, so… bye.”
“She said that someone told her I was cheating on her.”
“Again, Taylor—” I couldn’t even pretend to care. “You’ll have another girlfriend soon, so use it for writing inspiration.”
I left the room before he could lure me into a conversation I’d hate myself for joining.
Heading to the parking lot, I slid behind the wheel and sped away. As I was approaching the exit, Taylor jumped in front of my car.
What the hell? I slammed my foot on the brake and honked my horn.
“Move!” I screamed. “Are you out of your mind?”
He placed his hands on the hood, glaring at me.
“Put the fucking car in park.”
I was tempted to refuse, but the look in his eyes made me think otherwise.
Swallowing, I obliged, and he slowly let go before walking to the passenger side.
He tugged on the handle, but I didn’t unlock it.
He reached through the open window, pulled up the lock, and slid in.
“This isn’t the way to ask for a ride home, Taylor.”
“Does it look like I’m asking you for a ride?” His voice was low, rough. “What the hell did you say to Erica?”
“Nothing.” I glared right back. “You think I would waste my time getting involved in your love life?”
“Tell me what you said to her.”
“I didn’t say anything.” I enunciated every syllable. “Just like I’ve never interfered with any of your other girlfriends. Now, get the hell out of my car.”
“If I fucked you, would that finally make you stop fucking with me?”
“What?”
“Is that what it’s going to take?” He leaned closer. “I’ll give you a pity fuck if you agree to put an end to your ways.”
“My ways?”
“There isn’t an echo in here,” he said.
“Then there’s something worse if you seriously think I would ever want to sleep with you, Taylor…”
I leaned over to slap him, but he caught my wrist mid-air.
“Maybe you’re just a terrible boyfriend,” I hissed. “That’s not my fault, and if you don’t get out of my car within the next five seconds—”
“You’ll what?”
I lifted my left hand and slapped him across the face. The crack filled the car.
He let go of my wrist, jaw tight.
“Audrey Parker…”
“Taylor Wolff…” I shot back.
“You’re going to regret that.”
“I doubt it.”
He grabbed the back of my neck before I could blink. The air shifted. Heat crawled up my throat, my pulse pounding under his thumb.
His thumb brushed the edge of my jaw, and the air between us crackled—thick, electric. I could smell him, all soap and sweat and the faint bite of mint. My body betrayed me first; my pulse stuttered before my mind could tell it to stop.
“You done?” he asked.
“Not even close.”
He kissed me—fast, hard, nothing sweet about it. His mouth hit mine like a dare. I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t move, and then I stopped pushing.
The taste of him hit—beer, mint, anger—and I hated how easy it was to want more. His tongue slid against mine once, rough, confident, before I bit down hard enough to make him grunt.
“Still think I’d want a pity fuck?” I muttered.
He laughed, breathless. “You tell me.”
“Seriously, Taylor?” A shriek from outside the window snapped me back.
“Erica?”
Her voice cut through the night. “I fucking told you the issue and then you go and rub it in my face?”
“Erica, wait!” Taylor jumped out, chasing after her.
I sat there, heart still racing, my lips stinging.
Whatever that was—it wasn’t forgiveness.
It was a mistake waiting to ruin us both.