Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

I stay put. It’s not like I have any pride left at this point, and I’d rather not be tackled again.

“Why are you attacking kids in the hospital?” Bella asks me.

“I want to know that too,” Evil Linebacker says.

“I wasn’t… I came to apologize, and this crazy, supernaturally strong woman tackled me.” I point an accusing finger at said woman, who snorts derisively at me.

Bella arches an eyebrow while crossing her arms over her chest and staring down at me, annoyed.

“You can’t go picking up random kids.”

I glare over at the kid who is laughing at me, but he smothers it with his hand when Berta cuts her eyes toward him. That kid is a jerk.

“Look, I—”

“Daniel’s room is at the end of the hall. Feel free to stop in and tell him you’re his hero. I need to get home.”

With that, she steps over me, and I stay on the ground, staring at the ceiling for a second. This really didn’t work out the way I planned.

“So I’m not calling the cops?” Berta—the evil woman—asks.

“Not this time,” Bella calls out. “But feel free to tackle him if you ever see him again.”

I swear that evil woman grins at me like she can’t wait. Fuck my day. This sure as hell didn’t go as planned.

Chapter 31

BELLA

My phone chimes for the eighth time today, and against my better judgment, I look down, seeing the preview of a picture.

It’s from Ethan, and it’s a picture of him in a suit. As if I want that now. It’s a little too late for that.

Maverick answered my phone? So the hell what? Ethan is a freaking five-year-old for giving me the silent treatment without even asking me what was really going on.

I’m glad I have the day off, because I feel like death. I’ve definitely been overworked and underpaid.

Dragging my ass out of bed at noon, I start sifting through my fridge, looking for something to eat. My phone chimes again, and I groan while looking at the message.

ASSHOLE: I know I fucked up, but give me a second to explain. Please. Don’t make me track you down.

ME: That didn’t work out so well for you yesterday.

ASSHOLE: I don’t need a reminder. Next time I plan to be more successful.

ME: Stranger danger!! Stranger danger!!

MAVERICK: Why are you sending me stranger danger?

Ah hell. That was a good one too, and it went to the wrong person.

ME: Not meant for you, Mav. I’m mad at you, BTW.

ME: Stranger danger! Stranger danger!

This time that message goes to Ethan, and I giggle a little. Then I curse the giggling because it hurts.

MAVERICK: Ethan already took a shot at me. You don’t get to hit me too.