Alpha's Castle - Ella Goode Page 0,23
for me. I’m used to people fighting against me. It’s different and I’m not yet willing to admit how much I enjoy it. So I’ll continue acting as though he’s putting me out and being a pain in my butt. I can tell he enjoys me giving him a hard time.
I lock my door and return to organizing my office. When I hear a knock on my door twenty minutes later, I figure it’s Dane. I don’t know anyone else around here. The last thing I expect to see is Tina and Connie standing on the other side of my door. That’s not the kicker though. Derrick, my ex, is standing there too.
What. The. Hell.
“You’re dating this douche when you have Dane?” Connie asks.
“I’m not dating him.” I pull the door open more. I’m not doing anything with Derrick. I never had, to be honest. He made me face who my mother was. I always tried to make excuses for her behavior, but this put a blinding light on who she really is.
“Want me to call the cops on him?” Tina suggests. She runs her eyes up and down Derrick. He’s not bad looking. More of the clean, boy next door look. Pretty boy, I think people call it. He is nothing like Dane. Boy or pretty could never be in the same sentence as Dane. He is every inch a rugged man.
“No,” I rush to say. That is the last thing I need, for Dane to show up and see him here. I can’t even imagine what would happen. I think he might have a jealous side.
“Too late.” Connie gives me a small smile. Crap. I know I only have a limited amount of time before Dane gets here. I let out a groan. “What? I have never seen him before, and everyone is whispering about someone lurking outside of Tina’s place.”
“You peeping on me?” Tina turns to glare at Derrick.
“I have no idea what any of you are talking about.” Derrick tries to step around the ladies and let himself inside, but they block him. “I’m her fiancé.”
“I wouldn't keep saying that if I was you,” Connie warns him. I don’t think I’m going to get anyone to move along. I am thankful that the girls are trying to block Derrick from getting near me. I didn't think either of them liked me. If anything it might be in their favor if Dane showed up here and I was with Derrick. But they aren't having any of that.
“I’m actually leaving.” I grab my purse that’s next to the door. I step out, locking the door behind me.
“We need to talk,” Derrick pushes.
“I have nothing to say to you. You slept with my mom.”
“You slept with her mom!” both the girls shout. Derrick’s face turns red with embarrassment.
“Khloe. That is a private family matter.” He runs his hands through his short blond wavy hair.
“Nothing is private here. Welcome to Smithville,” Tina informs him. I step around everyone. Derrick tries to grab my arm, but I jump away before he can at the same time Connie smacks his arm.
“We don’t just grab women around here,” she lets him know. I keep to myself that Dane does a lot of grabbing.
“Where are you going?” Derrick asks, ignoring Connie.
“I think I’m saving your life,” I inform him as I head toward my car. To my surprise, Connie and Tina are following me, then getting into my car with me. What are they doing? I’m not sure why they even showed up at my door to begin with. I’m guessing it's about Dane.
“Are you guys going to kill me?” I tease as I start the car. I can hear Derrick shouting from outside the car but can’t make out what he’s saying. I could care less.
“Depends,” Connie says, putting on her seatbelt.
Tina leans up from the backseat. “Are you going to hurt Dane?”
I turn my head to look at both of them, surprised by the question. I put the car into reverse, pulling out of my driveway.
“Is everyone in this town crazy?” I ask my own question.
“Yes,” they both say.
“Then yeah. The chances of me hurting Dane are high. Most of the time I want to strangle him.”
“He may be big and handsome,” Tina says.
“You forgot to mention that fine ass of his,” Connie cuts in. They both nod in agreement.
“Like I was saying. He might look big and bad, but he’s a softie on the inside. A real good man and we