Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

I’ve been so nice to her.

For fucking what?

For her to spread her fucking legs for Mad Dog Maddox?

I pick up my cocktail and tip it back, swallowing the expensive liquid.

I narrow my eyes at the table across the dining room, watch him put his filthy mouth on her.

I don’t want to stay.

I don’t want to sit here and fucking watch this.

I don’t want to act like a fucking doormat as they walk all over me.

“Want another?” the bartender asks, only paying me attention once my drink is empty.

I slide my empty glass toward him. “Yes.”

I think about the way Maddox rubbed his fucking car in my face.

I think about him stepping out of her office after that tacky party.

I think about her telling me she had a boyfriend.

Nearby laughter scrapes across my nerves.

I came here by chance. I’d read an article about how great it was. Saw the photos of the beautiful women seated at the bar, figured I’d come take my shot.

I clench my teeth as I pull my phone out of my pocket.

I’ll take my shot, alright.

Opening the camera, I act like I’m reading something, but I slide my fingers across the screen and zoom in.

ONE HUNDRED FOUR

MADDOX

Tony grins at me over Hannah’s shoulder as he hugs her goodbye.

It’s dark outside, but not so dark I can’t make out his stupid expression.

“Okay. That’s enough.” I slap my hand down on his shoulder.

“It was great to meet you.” Hannah smiles at Tony as she pulls away.

“Alright, say goodbye to Max, then we’re out of here,” I tell Hannah.

She furrows her brow. “Isn’t he coming with us?”

At the table, I stopped her from ordering a ride by telling her I’d drive her home. But she knows I rode here with Max, so it’s a safe assumption.

“Waller is gonna drive him back. He lives closer to our parents’ place than I do. Plus, I brought the car so he wouldn’t fit anyway.”

“Oh.” She hesitantly opens her arms toward Max. “Sorry I stole your ride.”

Max takes the hug. “I didn’t want to ride with that sap anyway.”