Tad’s hackles rose. He glared at the guy. “Touch me again and I’ll break your nose.”
The dickhead just laughed and shoved him again. “I’d love to see your faggot ass try.”
Tad bristled from head to toe. Dropped his bag to the ground. Then balled his fist and threw an angry punch. His knuckles connected. The dude’s head flew back. Guess the cocksucker thought his faggot ass was bluffing—or that he wasn’t dumb enough to get scrappy in a three-on-one.
Well, Tad definitely hadn’t been bluffing, and never claimed to be a genius.
The other two grabbed his arms and hauled him to his Jeep, then shoved him against it and caged him in.
“So, you’re queer and stupid.” Dickhead wiped his bloody lip. “Maybe we should beat some fucking sense into you.” He didn’t wait for Tad to reply, just hauled off and clocked him square in the jaw with a right.
Pain exploded through Tad’s face. Fuck, that hurt! He bit back a curse and glared at the prick. “Wow. Look at that,” he ground through clenched teeth. “Feeling smarter already. Mission accomplished.”
The first guy chuckled, trading places his friend. Cracking his knuckles, he got in position to take a turn. “Don’t sound very smart to me, fag boy. Not smart at all. Any idiot could see that we’ve only just begun.”
Tad glowered furiously, even as he tried to moved away. But the other two held him by his arms. Asshole number one landed a solid to Tad’s temple. Pain streaked through his skull. Stars littered his vision. Even his damn equilibrium took a dip.
Another hit came, plowing him straight in the eye. Tad hissed, feeling the skin split, right on his brow, then fought anew to get free so he could retaliate. But those cock suckers wouldn’t budge.
The next shot slammed into his stomach. Air punch from Tad’s diaphragm as he doubled over in pain. Then that asshole’s goddamn knee nailed his face. Agony assailed his mouth and nose. Tad roared, seeing red—or was that blood?—but the bastards just laughed and kept going.
“You gonna cry, little homo? You gonna run home to your boyfriend? Shit, when I’m done with you, you’ll be so fucking ugly, he won’t want your faggot ass anymore.”
A left connected hard with Tad’s cheek a second later. More pain streaked through Tad’s face. He fought harder to get free, but didn’t succeed. Guys his size on each arm were hard to combat.
A fist like a wrecking ball careened into his ribs, knocking the wind straight out of him. Tad wheezed for breath, heart pounding, chest aching.
“How you feeling now, fag boy? Any smarter? What’s ten plus ten?”
Tad shot him a murderous glare through his grimace. He could feel his eye swelling, the blood trickling from his brow.
“No? Not any smarter?” Asshole grinned and cracked his neck. “Good. ‘Cause I’m just warming up.”
Fuck. Tad tugged harder—he didn’t need another round—but cronies one and two had iron grips.
“Relax,” one snickered. “Only hurts till you black out.”
Goddamn it. Goddamn it!
Asshole hauled off again, this time striking him square in the mouth. Tad’s lip split open as his head flew back, nailing his Jeep with a whack. Blood doused his taste buds. Punch-drunk haze blitzed his brain. “Fuck you!” he barked, lurching up straight. “Fight me like a man, you fucking bitch!”
Problem was, these thugs were the farthest thing from men. Didn’t have one ounce of honor. No moral code.
His assailant laughed. “Now why in the fuck would I do that? This way’s much less messy.” He pointed to his temple. “See? Using logic. ‘Cause I’m smart.”
“Look like a goddamn pussy to me.”
Asshole’s smirk faded fast. “What the fuck did you just call me?”
“A puss-see,” Tad spat out, enunciating every syllable.
The ruffian to his right chuckled. “Damn. Even dumber than I frickin’ thought. And I thought you pretty damn dumb.”
Asshole’s lip curled into a sneer. “You’re gonna wish you never said that.”
Doubtful. Tad was already consumed by pain. Getting beaten into unconsciousness would be an upgrade.
But before he could make like a punching bag again, another car roared up and slammed on the brakes. Tad peered past his assailant to get a look. A yellow, jacked up Mustang. Shit. No one he knew. Although, the thing did look vaguely familiar.
Asshole glanced over his shoulder as the doors kicked open, gangsta hip hop pumping free into the night. “Don’t make me wreck shit, hectic, next to the chair, got me goin’ like General Electric—”
Tad blinked, still half dazed. Cypress Hill? For real?
Two dudes emerged from the souped-up coupe and casually propped their forearms atop their doors.
Tad froze. Oh, shit. The jocks from that frat party—who Scott beat to a pulp not too long ago. Great. They’d probably love some payback, too.
“Hello, boys.” The driver grinned. “Having a party? We love parties.”
Asshole growled and turned to face them. “What the fuck, dudes. Go away.”