Page 42 of Endgame
When Daryl and I made the team freshman year, Alec had been the receding senior captain/quarterback. Playing college ball hadn’t worked out for Larkin and he had returned to Ocean Bay eighteen months ago to work in his Aunt’s café with his tail between his legs.
Personally, I’d never had a problem with the guy, Daryl was the one Larkin had beef with, but I had a feeling that was about to change. The way he was looking at Six assured me of this.
“What do you think his game is?” I asked, eyes still locked on him and Six.
Daryl snorted. “From the looks of it, I’d say his game is getting into your stepsister’s pants.” I bit back a growl. Yeah. That was not fucking happening. “Ignore him,” Daryl announced, drawing my attention back to him. “You know what that prick’s like,” he added. He finished off his drink and stood up. “If Larkin thinks he’s getting to you, he’ll never let up.”
“He’s not getting to me,” I bit out as I stood up stiffly and followed him to the door. “I couldn’t care less.”
“Uh-huh,” Daryl shot back with a grin. “You keep telling yourself that, Romeo.”
Mercedes
“ARE YOU GOING OUT WITH HIM?” were the first words that came out of Rourke’s mouth when I got home from work Friday night.
“Excuse me?” I asked, startled by his question and the aggression in his tone.
“Alec fucking Larkin,” Rourke growled. “Are you dating him?”
I raised a brow and met his stare head on. “What do you care?”
“Just answer the question, Six.”
Forcing myself to swallow my anger, I kicked off my shoes in the foyer and headed straight for the kitchen, feeling both hungry and irritated.
“Well?” Rourke demanded, following after me. “Are you?”
“That’s none of your business,” I shot back, irritated. I wasn’t dating Alec, nor had I any plans to, but that didn’t have a damn thing to do with Rourke freaking Owens.
“Yes, Rourke. We’re dating,” I shot back sarcastically. “In fact, Alec just asked me to have his babies. Isn’t that exciting?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Do you think you’re funny?”
“Not especially, but I think you’re asking questions that are none of your business.” Opening the refrigerator door, I pulled out a half-eaten plate of lasagna and carried it over to the microwave. “What do you care if I date Alec?” I added, sliding the plate into the microwave and switching it on. “You hate me, remember?”
“How I feel about you has nothing to do with this,” Rourke shot back angrily. “He’s too old for you, Six. You need to steer clear.”
The microwave pinged and I retrieved my plate and grabbed a fork before walking over to the island. “Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to be picky when it comes to friends.” Sinking down on a stool, I stabbed at my meal. “In case you didn’t notice, I’m not exactly the bell of the ball around here.”No thanks to you.“And Alec is about the only damn person in this shitty town who has been somewhat friendly to me since I arrived.”
“Yeah,” Rourke sneered, coming to stand at the opposite side of the island to me. “He’s being friendly because he wants to get you in the back of his truck,” he spat, glowering at me. “With your legs spread.”
“I don’t spread my legs easily, Rourke,” I quickly retorted.Not at all, actually...
He cocked a brow. “Why do I find that hard to believe?”
“Because you’re an asshole.”
“Fine.” Rourke threw his hands up. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you when he comes on hot and heavy.”
“I won’t,” I replied sweetly before popping a forkful of lasagna in my mouth and smiling.
Rourke turned to leave, but quickly spun back around to face me. “Are you that fucking lonely?” he demanded. “The guy is twenty-one. You’re seventeen, Six. Seven-fucking-teen.”
“Again,” I shot back. “What do you care?”
Rourke turned red. “Idon’tcare.” His words were laced with venom as he spoke. “I offered you some friendly advice. If you’re too fucking stupid and starved for attention to take it, then that’s on you, Six.”
That was it. I’d had enough.
