Perfect Bastard (by Mary D. Sant) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33: You Won’t Mind, Right?

ETHAN

Bennett knew never to bring up that subject.

“Enough! If you’re not leaving, I will.” I stood up, feeling the anger consume me, and he did the same.

“You’re the one who chose to live like this. If you can’t offer anything beyond sex, leave her alone,” he said before turning his back on me. “We’ll be waiting for you at the bar tonight,” he added, stopping near the door.

I sat back down.

“I’d rather spend a week in hell,” I declared, staring at the ceiling.

“It’s not like you have a choice,” he said before walking out.

I knew exactly what they were trying to do. I understood that they cared about Miss Brown–at least, in part–because, to me, she seemed perfectly capable of making her own decisions and even acting like a total bitch when necessary.

She was always ready to bare her claws, at least with me. But I wasn’t about to give in, no matter how much they pushed me. I would handle things my way.

There was no reason for them to interfere. I had been honest with her; I hadn’t promised anything beyond what I could offer.

I was getting ready to leave after staying an extra hour at the office, long after everyone else had gone.

It was a little past seven when Bennett’s name popped up on my phone screen. Reluctantly, I took a deep breath before sliding my finger over the green

button.

“What do you want?”

“We’re waiting for you. Don’t tell me you’re still at work.”

“We?” I asked. “That means you and Will?”

“And Jack.”

“Let me guess… He wants to kick my ass too?”

The line went silent for a few seconds, and then I heard Will’s voice.

“If you’re not here in twenty minutes, we’re coming to get you, Morgan,” he threatened before hanging up.

Great. Will was still pissed at me. Shit, Who would have thought that spending a night with a woman and then having a quickie in a bathroom would be

enough to make all my friends want my head?

To make things worse, I still wanted her. Even now, I just wanted to put my hands and mouth on her and take out all my frustration.

174

4:36 pm P P P P

Chapter 33: You Won’t Mind, Right?

I drove to the bar, realizing that going home wouldn’t help, I knew Will–he’d drag Jack and Bennett to my apartment if necessary.

1 was exhausted, and hearing my friends‘ opinions about my life and what I should do with it was the last thing I wanted.

When I arrived at the bar where we usually met, my shoulders felt heavier with every step I took toward the table where they were sitting.

They managed to go at least ten minutes without bringing up the subject, always keeping my glass full, but I could feel their scrutinizing gazes on me from

time to time.

I had finally started to relax a little, listening to Jack talk about little Sophia and how fast she was growing.

She was just over two years old now, and I felt like an asshole for not having met her yet.

“When can I meet her?” I asked.

“Zara is thinking about hosting a dinner on Friday, bringing everyone together. I didn’t know you liked kids, Ethan,” Jack said, looking surprised and

confused.

“That’s because you’ve never seen him with our niece,” Bennett grumbled.

I smiled, remembering Annabel. She was our younger sister’s daughter and the most beautiful little thing in the world. With blonde hair and enormous blue

eyes, she looked like a little angel.

“Don’t be upset just because I’m the favorite uncle, Benny,” I teased, and he rolled his eyes.

“If you like kids so much, why don’t you start thinking about having your own?” Will provoked before downing the rest of the whiskey in his glass, making

me sigh in frustration.

“I figured it was only a matter of time before you started telling me what you think I should or shouldn’t do with my life.”

“If you weren’t so damn stubborn, I wouldn’t have to worry.”

“I don’t want your concern. Or anyone else’s.” I looked at each of them around the table.

“Fine. We shouldn’t worry, since Ellie made it pretty clear that she doesn’t intend to keep this going before she left,” Will revealed.

“What? She was here?”

“She said she’s aware that you can’t offer her anything and that you two were just having fun.”

I didn’t know how to feel about that, but what he said seemed to align with what she had told Will earlier.

“So, you brought her here too, to tell her what she should do with her own life?” I asked sarcastically.

This was ridiculous. We were adults, and we could handle this. Why the hell couldn’t they see that?

“Unlike you, she understands our concern. And since she made it clear that she wants nothing to do with you, you’re going to leave her alone, right?”

“You’d love that,” I provoked.

“If all you want is someone to stick your dick into, find someone else,” he warned, his gaze sharp. “Ellie deserves and wants more than that. You don’t know

2/4

Chapter 33: You Won’t Mind, Right?

what she’s been through, but I do. I watched her suffer because of an asshole who didn’t deserve a single tear she shed.”

The asshole ex. Again. I was aware that she had suffered, and even if I cared, it had nothing to do with me. It wasn’t my fault.

“You know I don’t intend to hurt her.”

“It doesn’t matter. If you don’t like her or care enough, just stay away.” He seemed more irritated with every word. “Say it.”

“What?”

“That you won’t chase after her again,” he demanded.

“He can’t say that, can he, little brother?” Bennett chimed in. “Because he’s starting to like her.”

“That’s bullshit!” I scoffed.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify