Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies 3)

Relieved, she nods. “But if you need anything, someone to talk to, I’m here. That’s what friends are for.”

Where was she three years ago?

As my eyes fill with tears, I nod before turning to head to the bathroom.

“You don’t have to tell me what happened, but know I’m here for you, Avery, and I’ll listen.”

Looking back at her, I send her a smile. “Oh, I won’t, but thank you.”

Tearing my gaze from her shocked one, I shut the door behind me and close my eyes as I lean against it. A stray tear rolls down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away before dropping my towel. As another tear slides down my face, over my jaw, and onto my breast, I undo my pants and kick them and my panties up against the door. I don’t know why I’m crying, or even why I’m annoyed. I’m not sure if it’s because of all these things I’m feeling for Jace and I don’t know what to do with them, or if it’s because I wish I’d had someone like Mekena all those years ago. Maybe then I wouldn’t have felt like I was completely alone, with no hope left.

When I move to turn the shower on, my reflection catches my attention, and soon, I’m turning to look at my naked body.

I used to love my body.

But I don’t now.

Well, I love almost all my body, except for my thighs.

And not for a girlie stupid reason.

I wish it were cellulite that covered my thighs.

That could be acceptable, even normal, but I don’t have that.

No, I have the scars of all the pain caused by him.

Scars made by me.

“So you don’t know her last name?”

Markus looks at me dubiously as I search Skylar’s friends list for my little nightmate. It has become my mission to find out everything I can about Avery. I know, stalker alert, but it’s like I’m infatuated with her. I have to know everything. I wish I had gotten her number earlier, but I was still recovering from the kiss and the overwhelming feelings that I did nothing but stare at her.

I’m paying for that now.

“Obviously not,” I answer, getting frustrated since Skylar has like a million friends. “I didn’t ask that when I had my tongue down her throat.”

“And you didn’t get her number?”

I shoot him a deadpan look. “No, man.”

“Wow, your game is nonexistent.”

“Fuck off,” I yell, throwing the nearest thing I can grab at him. To his dismay, it’s the Xbox controller.

“Ow! Asshole.”

“Shut up, then,” I say simply, still scrolling through Skylar’s friends. “Jesus, she has a billion friends, I swear.”

“Who, Skylar?” he asks, trying to see my phone.

“Yeah.”

“I don’t think she’s friends with Skylar. She’s roommates with her sister. Missy? Michelle?”

Dropping my phone to my lap, I think for a second. It was the cute chick with them last night, not that I remember much about her since I was zeroed in on Avery. What was her name? “Madison?”

“No. Mary?”