I don’t like this. Not one bit.
“It’s fine,” she says, peering up at me. “I can take care of myself.”
I know that to be true, but I don’t like the idea of Neo getting in her head again. He’d love nothing more than to turn Scar and me against each other for his own personal gain.
“All right. I’ll be right back.” I kiss her lips then let her slip out of my reach. I don’t go far, though. Lucy and the keg can wait.
Instead, I press my back to the wall in the kitchen, and I listen.
“Glad you could make it to my party,” Neo says, using a condescending tone.
“As if I had a choice.” I can picture it now. She’s standing there, arms crossed over her chest and a Cheshire grin on her face.
“That’s true, but you’re here nonetheless.”
“What'd you want, Neo? I have much better things to do.”
“I’m sure you do. There’s a lot of girls here. Maybe a little three-way is in your near future? Ya know, Crew’s always enjoyed the company of many women at the same time.”
Fucking asshole!
It’s taking everything in me not to turn this corner and shove his face into the wall.
“Maybe so. But with me, he doesn’t need more than one. Can you say the same for yourself when it comes to the ladies? Or is that why you have to pass them on to your friends when you’re finished? So they aren’t left unsatisfied?”
Laughter climbs up my throat. Fortunately, “I Ain't Worried”by OneRepublic is playing loud enough to drown out the sound.
“You’re a real bitch, you know that?”
“Sure do. What about it?”
I’m not sure why I was ever worried. Scar can most definitely handle her own when it comes to Neo. Which says a lot, considering he’s a tough one to handle.
“Keep in mind, Scar…you’re only here because I allowed it. Piss me off and I’ll throw you to the fucking dogs.”
“Weird,” she huffs out on a breath of laughter, “I thought you were a dog?”
“That’s where you’re wrong, baby. I’m no dog. I’m the big bad wolf your mama warned you about and you better watch your fucking back because I’ll eat you alive the second you screw up. I’m watching and I’m waiting. I’m fucking hungry as hell, Scar.”
I can tell she’s getting bored with this back and forth by the sound of her sigh. “I’m not scared of you, Neo. You can throw out threats, but they’re not sticking. Now say what you need to say, so I can get as far away from you as possible.”
“You should be scared because I have knowledge that can shatter your entire world. Now you have to decide if you really want to drag Crew into your mess.”
I turn the corner, blood boiling. “That’s enough,” I lash out at Neo, as I scoop one arm around Scar’s waist, lugging her toward me. “Leave her the hell alone.”
“It’s fine, Crew.” Scar pats a hand to my heaving chest, glaring at Neo. “He doesn’t intimidate me. Neo just needs to use big, angry words to pacify his sad, little penis.”
Neo smirks, shaking his finger at Scar. “You’re gonna pay for that.”
“Dude, just get lost. There’s a dozen chicks here. Why fuck with mine?” I’m seconds away from tearing into him limb by limb, so it’s in his best interests to walk away while he has the chance.
Neo sweeps the air with his hand. “Fucking traitor,” he grumbles as he walks away.
I look at Scar with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry. I should’ve never left you alone with him.”
“Don’t be,” she says, “I told you I’d be fine, and I was. Neo’s words don’t hurt me. I am curious, though.” Her head tilts slightly toward her shoulder. “What did he mean when he said he has knowledge that can shatter my world?”
I’m as dumbfounded as she is on that one. I can only assume he’s referring to Maddie’s accident again, but we all know he’s grasping for straws at that one. “No clue.” Scar bites her lip nervously, so I ask, “Why? Are you worried about it?”