Tough Shit (Rejects Paradise 1)

Who knows? Maybe Colton’s running scared, now that he knows what kind of power I have standing at my back. I’m not some bitch he can mess with whenever the fuck he wants. I’m the motherfucking bitch you want to stay away from.

I’ve only just started where Colton is concerned. He’s damn lucky that he seems to have backed off, as I have a full arsenal of ammunition and I’m not afraid to use it. After all, messing with a chick who has nothing to lose is going to be the biggest regret of his life. Maybe the fucker will even learn a lesson or two, but then again, maybe I’m underestimating him. Yes, he’s backed off, but maybe there’s a reason why and he’s getting ready to hit me in a big way.

I’d be a fool to assume the worst is over. Guys like Colton Carrington don’t accept defeat, and the last time I saw him I had the last word. He might have won that round and got his way, but he saw it in my eyes, he’d barely scratched the surface.

Since that night, my four Black Widows have been in overprotective mode, especially since they witnessed Colton’s antics first hand. I get at least two messages from each of them a day all randomly spaced out, so I never go long without hearing from one of them. I love them, but it kind of sucks. I know they love and adore me, but it’d be nice if they were messaging me just for the sake of saying hi, because they wanted to, not because they were waiting for something to go down. It doesn’t matter how often I tell them that I can handle myself, they just keep messaging.

Nic is a different story though. He’s still pissed about the whole thing and blows up my phone as much as he can. He calls before and after school then checks on me again at night. It’s going to kill me when he finds his soulmate, but at the same time, maybe it will give him someone else to aim all that big dick energy at.

I try to take my mind off everything that’s been going on this week and focus on me. Particularly my reflection in my full-length mirror. I can’t even believe it’s me.

My long dark hair flows in soft waves down my back, my makeup has been done to perfection, and the dress … holy hell.

Charles had invited me to the party late last night after he’d overheard a few of the staff asking mom what my plans were for the night. They had wanted me to help out during the party, handing out champagne flutes and walking around with those expensive snack thingies with fancy names. Charles was on the doorstep of the pool house in no time. I was about to take my shower when I heard a knock at the door and to be honest, I was more than surprised to see him. It’s his place and all, but I’d assumed he’d be the type to keep away from dedicated staff areas as though he was above it all.

He apologized for forgetting to extend an invitation and I beamed up at him as though he’d just handed me all my dreams on a silver platter. I was so excited about this party and when the invitation never came, I’d gotten used to the idea that I was going to have to watch through the ballroom window. Charles had explained that it was a big week and it had completely slipped his mind. He’d also assumed that I was just going to be there, invitation be damned. Honestly, I probably would have snuck in at some point despite mom’s warning.

My excitement came off me in waves until I remembered that I didn’t have anything appropriate to wear for the party. Thankfully, I was allowed to have free range of Cora and Casey’s closets to find a suitable dress.

It was insane. I’d never seen anything like it.

I went through everything. I swear, there was more in their closets than in the whole mall in Breakers Flats. I spent two hours searching for something to wear and didn’t even care that I could hear Colton’s late-night activities in the next room. He was definitely having a good time, but no chick is that animated during sex. He was watching porn, or at least, I think he was. Either way, hearing him come through the wall got me so fucking hot but it was worth it. Hearing that low groan was sexy as hell but it didn’t do anything for the whole stupid attraction to him thing.

Once I’d finally found a dress and returned to the safety of the pool house, I had no option but to finish myself off. I instantly cursed myself for thinking about him the whole time.