Cuffed: A Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

feel Shane standing behind me and I wanted nothing
more than to scream at him for wrecking everything. Did he not realize it took
two months of screening losers and creeps before I’d met Toby? And then not
even five minutes into our first date he shows up and destroys everything. Instead,
I picked up my to-go box and walked out of the restaurant refusing to give
Shane the satisfaction of looking back.

Chapter 8

 
    Steph had assured me that Shane was working. It was the only
reason I was willing to go over to their house tonight. I had no desire to see
Shane anytime in the near future after Thursday night’s debacle. He had called
several times Thursday night, three times on Friday but today he had been
surprisingly silent. Not a single call. His sudden silence made me slightly
nervous that he’d be waiting for me, but I was mostly convinced that he had
taken the hint and given up.

 
    I pulled into the Williams’ driveway searching for signs of
Shane or his truck. I was being paranoid but the last time I thought he wasn’t
home I had literally run into him within seconds of walking through the door. I
peeked in the garage just to be safe before walking into the house.

 
    “I’m here Steph,” I called out setting my things on the
kitchen counter.

 
    “In the living room,” she responded. “I have wine.” There
was a god.  

 
    “Where’s my glass?” I asked walking into the living room.

 
    “Here you go,” she said holding out a glass to me. “Have a
seat.”

 
    I curled up on the loveseat across from her taking a sip
from the glass she had just handed me. “This is good.” I said with a sigh. “How
was your week?”

 
    “Not as interesting as yours.” She replied with a knowing
grin.

 
    “Oh god, can we not discuss my week?” I pleaded knowing
that’s all my best friend wanted to do.

 
    “My wine, my rules,” she said as I groaned.

 
    “Fine, but I’m going to need more wine if that’s the case.”
I said downing my glass in a gulp and holding it out for a refill.

 
    *                       *                       *                       *                       *

 
    “So you’ve been avoiding his calls?” Steph asked when I
finished giving her the details of my Thursday evening.

 
    “Of course,” I exclaimed. “What could he possibly have to
say to me that would make any of this any better? I just want to forget the
last week ever happened.”

 
    “So, what are you going to do?” Steph asked holding out the
bottle of wine to me. “It’s not like you can avoid my brother forever.”

 
    “Wanna bet?” I asked as I topped off my glass, emptying the
bottle. “Besides I’m sure his blonde friend will keep him busy for awhile, and
when he gets tired of her he’ll have another and another. It will be easy to
avoid him.”

 
    “Is that what you think?” Shane asked from behind me causing
me to jump and nearly spill my glass of wine.

 
    “What are you doing here?” I demanded throwing back the wine
remaining in my glass. Liquid courage was definitely needed for this situation.

 
    “I live here.”

 
    It dawned on me then that Steph had set me up. “Really
Steph? You tricked me?”

 
    “I didn’t plan this I swear,” she protested standing up.
“Shane texted and asked what I was up to and I told him you were here.”

 
    “How could you?” I stood up too, feeling betrayed.

 
    “Don’t blame Steph,” Shane said and I whirled around to face
him. The blonde was standing next to him; at least she was fully clothed this
time.

 
    “What’s she doing here? Haven’t you had enough of rubbing it
in my face that you picked her over me? Fuck you Shane! Just leave me alone.”
    I stomped out of the living room and into the kitchen,
grabbing my purse off the counter on my way out the door. I slammed the door on
my way out. I had an