Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 147136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 736(@200wpm)___ 589(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 736(@200wpm)___ 589(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Just like that. As if it were that simple.
“Trying.” I nodded, giving her a small smile in hopes that would reassure her.
She smiled back bigger, as if she knew everything was gonna work out.
The microwave beeped.
I switched out the plates and heated the second one, carrying both over to the table at the same time so they could start eating together, stood across from them gripping the back of a chair, and glared over my shoulder in the direction of the living room.
What the fuck was Jenna doing?
Finally, the front door opened, shut, then quick footsteps padded on the floor and Jenna came darting into the kitchen.
“You get your phone?” I asked, straightening and turning toward her.
“Nope.” She smiled. “Already made the call.”
I leaned closer. My heart crawled up into my throat.
“And?”
She smiled bigger.
“There’s another way.”
* * *
Three days later I was standing in Mike’s office with a crowd surrounding him.
Crystal, Holly, and Jayden were there, the girls I’d shot with who were agreeing to say the videos of us were personal property, something they could say since nobody signed shit before filming, meaning Mike didn’t own them and didn’t have rights to share. We’d all met up last night and Jenna explained the plan, asking the girls if they’d be willing to threaten a lawsuit against Mike if he didn’t take down the videos and images. Not only were they willing, but they were also sick of Mike’s shit, and on top of backing me, they were there to tell Mike they were done.
He was pretty pissed about that. Oh fucking well.
Jamie stood off to the side, positioned there in case I felt the urge to break the other side of Mike’s face, and Calvin, the partner at Jenna’s firm who was doing me a solid by standing in and being a presence, making the threat of suing carry a little more weight, was standing beside me.
“You gotta be fucking shitting me,” Mike spat after hearing everyone’s piece, finding my eyes in the crowd the best he could with the one eye he had open.
The other was still swollen shut.
“Mr. Galloway,” Calvin stated, gaining Mike’s attention. “I suggest you take action immediately, sir, or I will. All the videos and still images containing Brian Savage are to be removed from your site. If anything is left up by accident or deliberately, my clients will be taking legal action against you. This is very serious.”
“No, you wanna know what’s serious?” Mike snarled, leaning forward in his seat and stubbing out his cigarette. He pointed directly at me. “What I’m gonna do to that motherfucker right there. That’s what’s serious. I’m gonna tear—”
“I suggest you stop right there, Mr. Galloway,” Calvin interrupted. “Unless you’d like me to call the authorities for threats of violence.”
Mike lowered his hand and slid his eye to me.
I smiled right at him, letting him eat it.
“Get the fuck out.” He pushed his hand through the air. “All of you! Get out!”
Slowly, everyone filed out of the office. I hung back and watched Calvin approach the desk.
Mike looked up at him.
“If you’d like to go ahead and get started on removing my client from your site.” Calvin pointed at the brand-new monitor gracing Mike’s desk. “We’ll leave when you’re finished,” he added before stepping back and taking a seat.
Mike glared at me with his one eye.
“I’ll stand. I’m good,” I told him.
Then I watched as Mike removed all traces of me from Xstasy, and I did it grinning.
Fucking grinning.
It was over.
I shook Calvin’s hand when we got outside to the parking lot. “Thanks a lot. Really appreciate you coming down here and helping me out.”
“No problem. Happy to help.” He released my hand, produced a business card out of his suit pocket, and handed it to me. “Take care of yourself. You need anything, give me a call.”
“Thanks.”
I slid the card away.
Calvin got in his black Lexus and I crossed the lot, reaching Jamie, who was waiting for me by my Jeep.
“See?” He held his hands out, looking arrogant. “Told you somethin’ would work out. Now you can go get your girl.” He slapped my shoulder.
“Yeah.” I nodded, scrubbing at my face with my hands. “Fuck,” I muttered.
I couldn’t believe I was about to get her.
“You got the store, right?” I asked him, tugging out my keys.
He backed away toward his motorcycle.
Fucking idiot actually bought the thing.
“We’re good, man. Go. Do what you gotta do.”
“Appreciate it.”
He jerked his chin, spun around, and got to his ride.
I climbed in the Jeep and started it up. I made it to the end of the lot when my phone started ringing in my back pocket.
Leaning over, I yanked my cell out and checked the screen. I didn’t recognize the number.
“This is Brian,” I answered, pulling out onto the road and heading in the direction of Tori’s house.