Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

“Don’t tell me what I need or want. You don’t know me.”


Cooper snorted angrily. “Nice move. You tell me nothing then accuse me of having no right to know you because I don’t already know you.”

Stepping back, I sighed. “I’ll be your friend. One day when I’m settled in, I could be more. I can’t right now though. Nagging won’t change my mind.”

“Nagging? That’s cold. You make me sound like an old lady.”

“If the shoe fits,” I said, shrugging, “who am I to argue?”

Cooper opened his mouth to continue nagging then changed his mind. “A burger and fries will be fine, servant.”

“I appreciate your order, jackass.”

“As you should, beauty.”

Our eyes met and I felt my skin warm from the way he said beauty. If only we could work, I might find such happiness with a guy like Cooper. Of course, a guy like Cooper didn’t want my type of happiness. He wanted what he wanted and there were no picket fences in his future.

Even now when he gave up on nagging, Cooper hadn’t given up on winning the argument. I had become more than a girl he wanted to bang. I was a challenge for someone so rarely challenged in life. Fortunately for me, I was accustomed to challenges and I knew how to do without in a way that Richie Rich didn’t. As challenges went, I planned to crush this one.





Chapter Eight


On Friday when I had no work, Bailey joined Skye and me in the dorms. This was when I learned how the people Skye knew from the area were the Johanssons. In fact, Kirk and Skye’s dad Randy were super tight. Somehow, I sensed Skye kept this information quiet on purpose.

Was Skye my friend because Cooper told her to be? Or was I full of myself to even consider such a thing? Yet, Skye talked constantly and never mentioned how the guy I had gone on a date with was her lifelong friend.

The way Bailey and Skye spoke to each another made clear how they’d been palling around since school started. I felt played and my feelings were hurt. I excused myself to the bathroom then dialed Tawny’s burner phone. My sister answered immediately, sounding paranoid too.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Dad left two days ago and hasn’t come back. I’m not sure how long I’m supposed to wait? What if he didn’t pay enough for the room?”

“If someone shows up, tell them the truth and they’ll call social services. The state will send you to Grandma’s and I’ll convince her to send you here. It’ll be fine.”

“What about Dad?”

“Maybe it’s time for him to stop being in charge of you when he can barely be in charge of himself?”

Tawny exhaled. “You sound tense.”

“I think my friend Skye was only pretending because that guy Cooper told her to.”

“Is she mean now?”

“No.”

“Is she still driving you around and paying for lunch?”

“Yes.”

“So what’s the problem? If she’s faking it, you should enjoy the lie. What else can you do? Confront her and lose out on her fake friendship?”

“I just feel sad that she doesn’t like me for real.”

“Maybe she does like you. Just cause that guy told her to be your friend doesn’t mean she didn’t end up liking you. Everyone likes you, Farah. You’re nice.”

Smiling, I missed Tawny so much I nearly started crying. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Don’t be scared. Either Dad will come back or you’ll be sent to Grandma’s.”

Tawny said nothing for a minute then blurted out, “I don’t want to live with Mom.”

“She’s not messed up anymore.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want to look at her face. I never want to see her again.”

Shocked by Tawny’s admission, I didn’t reply right away.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just don’t want to pretend.”

“I know and you shouldn’t have to,” I said, feeling guilty for not reassuring her more quickly. “If you come here, I’ll find us a place. Just you and me.”

“The place you’re in is big, right? You’d be giving up all the space to live with me.”

“Nothing I give up would compare to having you here. I miss you so much and I feel lost without you around.”

“Me too,” Tawny said, bursting into tears.

For the next few minutes, I reassured her while she sobbed. I could picture her twirling her golden hair in a tight knot around her fingers the way she did when the tension became too much. Finally, she calmed down and put her best face forward.

“I’ll be eighteen soon then I can live anywhere.”

“I’ll send money. I’d send it now, but Dad or Mom might make a stink if you’re a minor. I never know what they’ll do.”

“Soon then.”

“Mere months away.”