Perfectly Toxic (The Sterling Shore Series Book 9) by C.M. Owens Page B

hospital off me. I’d also like to wash away his scent.
    Ethan runs a hand through his hair just as I near him, and he arches an eyebrow at me.
    “Krysta—Ruby’s sister—is the girl I took home,” he states without any sort of emotion in his voice.
    My footsteps falter, and I end up stopping just a few feet away from him.
    “She’s too young to be getting wasted at my house,” he goes on. “I didn’t trust someone else not to take advantage of her, since she’s going through some stuff right now. As for Lynn, I got my leg cut before we ever got down to business. So no, Bella, I didn’t lie to you. But you’d know that if you bothered to fucking hear me out. But go ahead and think you have it all figured out, and keep going on your desperate dates. As for me, you’re finally getting your wish. I’m done trying to play this game with you. Turns out that it’s not my thing.”
    I don’t even get the chance to speak before he pops his helmet back on and revs out of the space he was in, zigging in between traffic and heading back toward the city.
    I’m not sure what I would have said even if I had been able to form words in time. Desperate dates?
    Okay, so maybe they are a little desperate, but not as desperate as thinking a guy like him is magically going to be a steady, legitimate boyfriend.
    Magic is for fairytales, and I stopped believing in happily-ever-afters with guys like him a long time ago. Guys like him can have any girl they want, and they usually do.
    Happily-ever-afters come from guys who don’t have hundreds of other options at their greedy little fingertips.
    Deciding I can’t stand here all day and think about it, I resume my walk home. My car is still back at the hospital, because I walked to that damn milkshake shop.
    I don’t know if I feel guilty or relieved that Ethan is finally finished with me. But I do feel like I need to apologize.
    I hate my life sometimes.
    My phone chirps, and I read a message from Ruby.
     
    RUBY: 911 – my friend Bo needs some serious girl time, and you’re the best person to help me out. We’re taking her to Silk.
     
    I don’t think I’m in any position to help anyone out, but I blow out a breath and decide to roll with it. At least a night out will help me get Ethan out of my head.
     
    ME: Send me the address.
     
    Ruby has briefly filled me in on the Bo and Jax thing, but she’s more concerned about Bo than the breakup. Bo seems to be struggling to find herself.
    Been there. Done that. Thought I was finished with that portion of my life… Until that bastard started stalking me and making me question my reasonable life plan.
    After rushing home, showering and changing, I head to the address Ruby gave me. Bo’s apartment building is one hell of a badass place, and I have to ride up the elevator to the fifteenth floor.
    The door is unlocked, and I walk in like I have the right to. Holy mother of pearl. Her apartment is bigger than my house.
    “Get dressed,” I hear Ruby saying, which reminds me I’m supposed to be on girl duty.
    “Why?” asks another voice, and I walk into the bedroom unannounced.
    Bo startles when she sees me, but I just flash a smile at her. This is what I’m good at—being a good girl friend even to strangers. I just suck at all the other stuff.
    “Bella, will you grab those black boots in the back of the closet?” Ruby asks me.
    I’m dressed like I’m on the prowl, but in reality, I just want to go home and crash. Not that I let them know that. I’m not a total buzzkill.
    “What’s going on?” I hear Bo asking as I fall in love with her amazing freaking closet. Holy jackpot! Can’t I just be gay and sweep Bo off her feet?
    “We’re taking you to Silk,” I tell her as I force my eyes to zero in on the wall of incredible shoes.
    I’m fairly sure I just whimpered.
    I snatch up a pair of the most perfect black boots the world has ever seen, and maybe I drool a little.
    “You said you wanted to get out more,” Ruby