Cursed Heart (Cursed #2.5) by T. H. Snyder Read Free Book Online Page B

tonight?” Linc asks, moving toward the back of Dault’s car.
    Etty looks up and stares into my eyes, witnessing the smile sprawled across my face.
    “I finally got Etty out of the house,” I reply with all the pride I can muster.
    Linc turns to look at both of us with a confused look on his face.
    “Yeah, I can see that. What did you two do?”
    Sensing the tension building in Etty’s body, I feel bad that Linc is digging for information on our night.
    “It’s not a big deal, guys. Christian suggested we do something so we went for dinner and a movie.”
    “Sounds like a date to me,” Dault says.
    My eyes scan from Etty to Dault, a look of pure hatred staring back at me.
    Bring it on, motherfucker!
    “What’s it to you?” I spit back to him.
    Etty pulls her body from mine and begins to walk toward the house.
    “Where you going?” Linc asks, holding a large box with his good arm.
    “Can someone help him with that? He only has one arm…come on, guys.”
    Feeling like an ass, standing here with my tongue in my mouth, I take a step forward. Etty turns her body and quickly moves to help Linc.
    “I’m good, Etty, relax,” Linc says, trying to pull the box from her.
    Dault moves alongside of them, his arm brushing against Etty. A bolt of jealously runs through me as I witness his face lighting up from her mere touch.
    I knew it; the fucker has feelings for her.
    “I got it,” Dault says, taking the box from Linc and standing next to us.
    The four of us stand motionless, speechless, waiting for someone to make a move and do something.
    “You know what? I’m really tired and think I’m going to call it a night. Thanks again for getting me out of the house, I really needed it,” Etty says, turning her head to face me.
    “I can come in if you want,” I reply, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.
    “She said she’s tired, bro, let her have some time alone,” Dault states, the look on his face more stern and full of anger than it was before.
    “I think she can make that decision on her own, don’t you?” I bark, removing my arm from Etty and taking a step forward.
    “Seriously, guys, this isn’t a pissing contest and I’m ready to call it a night.”
    Turning her body to completely face me, she takes my hand in hers and walks us back to my car. I’m livid and can’t let him treat her this way. Doesn’t she know that I was only trying to stand up for her?
    “You know I hate the way he treats you, Etty. It’s as though you’re his property and no one else can have you,” I whisper.
    She abruptly stops in her tracks, giving me a look of sadness.
    “That was uncalled for, Christian. Things are complicated and you know it. Just go home and I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
    She’s doing it again—letting her pain take over and pushing me away. When the hell will she realize that I’m here to help her, not hurt her like he does?
    “Fine, but make sure you get some rest.”
    Leaning down to her, I place a gentle kiss to her forehead.
    “Goodnight, Christian, and thank you again for tonight, I did have a lot of fun.”
    Shrugging my shoulders, I walk to the driver’s side of the car without another word. With a heavy heart, I let her go and get into my car. Pulling away, I look in the rear view mirror to see her waving goodbye.
     

 
    The Monster in Me
    Journal Entry
    Pained…griever…lost…lonely.
    Those are the words that come to mind when I think about the emotions I feel day in and day out.
    Worthless…bastard…loser…waste.
    Those are the words that come to mind when I think about my life and the names people have called me.
    Growing up, moving around in one too many foster homes, I was never treated as an equal. Instead, I was pushed around, dismissed, and made to feel as though I was an object rather than a human being.
    As a small child, I didn’t realize what was happening to me. I just wanted to fit in and play with the other children. They’d look at me like something was