Cruel Me

Chapter 23: Achilles Heel

What the fuck are you looking at?

That's right. Look away, you little shit.

I glared at everyone who dared meet my eye.

"What's up your ass?"

I glanced at Alfie. He had a cup of beer on one hand, while a chick on another. We were at his party after the game. You know, the usual. We were celebrating our undefeated win. Same old fucking shit.

I turned my head away, didn't even bother acknowledging him. I pointed my finger to a dude a couple of feet away from us. His clothes were two sizes too big on him, making him look like a walking stick.

I recognized him. He was a second stringer on the team. Trent whatshisface. Huh, he got no chance of playing ball with that build.

"You," I nodded to him, expressionless. "Get me a beer."

"What?" stuttered Trent, blinking at me.

I cocked my head, and ordered, "Get me a motherfucking beer."

The dude visibly gulped. Pussy. He needed to do some manning up if he wanted to stay on the team.

"You want a death sentence, man?" Alfie asked him, chuckling. "Get him his beer."

Trent finally came to his senses, and left for the kitchen. Thank fuck. I needed alcohol in my system to at least calm my nerves. I could go home and get hammered on my own, but having people around was better. This way, I had someone I could beat up if I felt like it.

I felt Alfie staring at me, waiting for an explanation. I sighed, keeping my eyes on the people around us – just in case she decided to show up. Although, that was doubtful.

"Halo didn't show up tonight," I said.

"I saw her at the game."

"Yeah, but she disappeared right after."

By the time I got outside the locker room, she was gone. I checked at the parking lot but her blue Mustang was nowhere to be found. Then, I got a text from Brooklyn saying Halo went home to watch a movie with them.

Brooklyn. I got a fucking text from Brooklyn.

Last time I checked, Halo was the name of my girlfriend.

"She's still mad, huh?" asked Alfie, smirking at me.

I pressed my lips together and flashed him a sarcastic you-think look, ignoring the girl kissing his neck as if they weren't in public.

"First fight already got you on your toes," he said, amused.

"Tell me the fuck about it," I grumbled, bringing my eyes back to the crowd.

"You're just mad 'cause you can't figure it out."

I looked at him.

"Face it, man," he smirked, shaking his head. "It drives you crazy that you can't read her as easily as everybody else."

I didn't answer him, only turning my dead eyes away from his annoying scrutiny. I've always been good at reading people. It was a Lacy trait. And the fact that I couldn't read the one person I was dying to, was frustrating as fucking hell.

"Here's your beer," said Alfie, getting the cup of beer from Trent and handing it to me. "Cool it off. You sulking wouldn't really solve anything."

I took the cup and brought it to my lips.

Fuck. That hits the spot.

"You good, Oz?" asked my best friend.