“Enjoying yourself?” I fume.
“I’m sorry?” I forgot how she was as a teenager, sassy just like this. Her tone is exactly as it was when she was sixteen, as if she knew she was pushing buttons and she was going to push them just a little harder.
“The fuck was that all about?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I walk close, leaning into her space. “I’m talking about that.” My head jerks in Perry’s direction. “Why the hell are you flirting with that piece of garbage in my gym?”
“Flirting? With Perry? Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“I look across the room, he’s got his hands on you. I look a second time, he’s got his hands on you. I look a third fucking time, you know what I see?”
“Just stop it.” Two bright red splotches appear on her cheeks and she narrows her eyes.
“Him. Touching. You.”
“He was helping me. Grow up, Joel,” she snaps.
“Yeah, he was helping you all right. He’d help himself to your pussy if he thought he could, and that’s my point.”
“Why are you talking to me that way?” She’s pissed, but she sounds hurt, too.
“What way?”
“That way! You’re being crude.”
“Maybe it’s so I’ll get your attention, since you don’t seem to be real swift at picking up social cues.”
“This is ridiculous! Please stop being so hateful,” she begs. “He wasn’t flirting with me, and I definitely wasn’t flirting with him. Okay?”
She’s trying to reason with me, but all I can see is his hand on her hip. And then his hands all over her, in all the places no one but me should ever touch.
“It’s not okay. He’s trash. Stay away from him.”
“How can I stay away from him? This is his gym, too.”
“It’s not his gym, it’s my gym. He’s just here.”
“And you’re the one who wanted me here.”
“So you could get your shit together. Not so you could moisten Perry’s dick.”
Her whole face turns bright red and I’m almost sorry for what I said when she says in a low, trembling voice, “You’re disgusting!”
“That’s me, disgusting.” I shake my head. “Sweetheart, you have no fucking idea how disgusting I can be.”
“I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know if you get any more disgusting than that. And FYI, the last time I checked, I was a grown woman. I can’t help it if you’re suffering from some kind of weird jealousy.”
“Jealous? Of Perry? You must be out of your fucking mind.”
“Yeah, jealous of Perry,” she taunts. “Because at least he knows how to be nice.”
“There’s only one man I’ve ever been jealous of, sweetheart, and he’s dead.”
The words are out before I can call them back, and she actually jerks as if I’ve struck her. Her face drains of color, but her eyes never leave mine.
“I fucking hate you,” she spits, and she means it. I’m surprised she’s not clawing my eyes out or practicing the right hook Cassidy’s been teaching her. Her chest heaves as she glares at me, and I know I’ve fucked this up beyond repair.
“Fine. Good. Stay the fuck away from Shaun.” I turn and walk back to my office where I drop the blinds and wait until she’s gone to come back out.
* * * *
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To properly thank who I need to thank, I need to start at the beginning. Last fall, when I was 4500 miles away from my friends and family and social media was my lifeline, I started For Life. Like most projects, it was inspired by some random thought that stuck in the gears of my mind for whatever reason and wouldn’t go away. And then Grady appeared, and the rest is history.
Grady had some early fans. To Amber, Dana, Kristi, and Terri – THANK YOU. It was your encouragement in the very early drafts that kept me laboring on this project. Your belief in Cassie and Grady’s story means more to me than you will ever know. For the encouragement, the many rounds of feedback, the teasers, the pimping, and the love, a million hugs and kisses.
My betas –Dorota, Eva, Jen, and Marlena – thank you for your investment in this story and your honest, thoughtful feedback. The book is so much better because of you.
Camisha, my Boo, thanks for being my cheerleader throughout this process and in my year of transition. You are as real as it gets, and I am keeping you.
Kim. You are a one-woman wonder. I aspire to be like you when I grow up! Thanks for being my unofficial PA. Big hugs!
Jena, if I did ten favors a day for you for the next ten years, I’d still owe you. Thank you for your advice, artwork, and inspiration. I am dazzled by your multitasking skills and amazed by the amount of stuff you accomplish on a daily basis. One day the drinks will be on me.
The Saucy Minxes, especially Terri – you ladies are a daily delight. Thanks for infusing sunshine and laughter into my life!
My Bitchfaces. You know who you are. Thank you for the crazy online shenanigans. I love my little family! Susan, Lisa, and Jennifer, thanks for taking it to the next level and being part Grady’s Girls. (How many groups are we in together now? Like, a thousand?)
My blogger friends, all of whom have been so gracious to me. You ladies work so hard and make so many people happy. A special shout-out to After Dark Book Lovers for hosting my very first author takeover!
To Christine, Ella, Jane, and Julie – watching each of you do your thing is awe-inspiring. Thank you for showing me how it should be done and occasionally allowing me a peek behind the curtain.
Last but never least, a big thank-you to Sharlene for believing in me more than anyone ever has. This is why you are my person.
If I have forgotten to say thank you, it’s not because you’re not amazing. It’s because I need a handler.
And thank you, lovely reader, for being willing to read every last word.
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