Filthy Rich, Wild with Lust

Chapter 19

Mud.

Everywhere.

Potted plants tipped over and chewed up.

My white Italian outdoor couch cushions covered in mud. “Someone has broken in and vandalized my entire backyard.” I look around. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

From the corner of my eye, I see something move and turn to see Juliet’s mangy dog up on my white outdoor couch as if he owns the place, fast asleep on his back and snoring. He’s covered in mud from where he dug under the fence to get into my yard.

I inhale sharply and clench my fists at my side. “Motherfucker.”

Adrenaline surges through my body.

I walk over to the snoring dog and glare down at him as I imagine his grisly end. “What did you do?” I growl.

He keeps snoring, and I see red.

Calm down.

I inhale deeply as I look around at the disaster zone.

I’m livid.

“Barry,” I hear Juliet call from next door. “Barry, where are you?”

The dumb dog lifts its head up when it hears her voice and then flops it back down to sleep again.

My eyes flicker red as thermal nuclear energy threatens to steal my control.

Before I can stop myself, I find myself marching to Juliet’s. I push open her side gate.

“Barry,” she calls from her back steps.

“Juliet,” I scream as I lose all control. “Get your f*****g ass over here!”

Juliet

“What?” I screw up my face.

“You heard me,” Henley growls from his place at my side gate. “Get the f**k over to my house now and see what your f*****g fleabag has done.”

“You are so dramatic. Are you going for an Oscar or something?” I huff. I march past him through the gate and over to his house. The gate is open, and I walk around into his backyard.

My eyes widen in horror.

Oh no.

Mud as far as the eye can see, tipped-over pots, chewed plants, torn-up couch cushions.

I put my hands on my hips, indignant. “Well, how do you know it was Barry?”

Henley looks at me deadpan. “Open your eyes.”

I glance around to see Barry asleep on his back on the white couch.

Fuck me dead.

“Barry,” I scold him.

Barry sits up and pricks his ears, all happy-like.

“Don’t smile at me, young man. You are in trouble.” I try to sound tough and convincing.

“First of all, he’s not a man, he’s a mutt. And second of all, clean this s**t up. Right f*****g now,” Henley demands with his hands on his hips.

“Do not use that tone with me, Henley. I will not take it,” I fire back.

He steps toward me, and we come face to face, only inches apart. “You’ll take whatever I f*****g give you,” he growls.

“Like hell I will.”

“I bet you take whatever he gives you.”

Huh?

“Who?” I scrunch up my nose as I try to follow the conversation. “Barry?”

“Don’t act dumb, Juliet. It really doesn’t suit you.”

“What the hell are you talking about, you nutjob?”

“You can stop f*****g lying now.”

Okay, what the hell is he talking about? Have I missed part of the conversation?

“What are you talking about, Henley?”

“Why don’t you ask your f*****g fiancé what I’m talking about?”

“I don’t have a fiancé.”

“I saw him with my own f*****g eyes,” he explodes.

Oh... Liam.

I roll my lips to hide my smile.

“You think this is funny?” he whispers angrily. “You’re riding my c**k at that wedding and engaged to be married the whole f*****g time?”

“Okay, let’s get something straight here.” I hold my hands up, trying to calm him down. He’s about to pop an artery. “Are you angry about my dog, or are you angry about Liam?”

Full of contempt, he steps forward, and I step back. “I’m angry that you’re a liar,” he sneers.

“Well... you are right, I am a liar.”

“I knew it,” he spits.

“Liam is my brother, you f*****g idiot.”

“What?”

“He lied to you back then because I was upset at how you treated me and he wanted to get you back.”

“What?” His eyes nearly pop out of his head. “How I treated you? How the f**k did I treat you?”

“I waited at home all day for you to call me, and you stood me up and never called me again.”

“I was working,” he yells.

“Bull f*****g s**t you were working. I saw you at the club. I saw you being a sleazebag, you lying asshole.”

“That’s bullshit.” He frowns and puts his weight onto his back foot. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Oh.” I have proof. I swipe through my phone, and I know exactly where the video Chloe sent me is saved because I’ve watched it a million times. I bring up the video and hit play and hold my phone up to show him.

He frowns as he stares at the screen. He watches himself laugh and talk and then turn his attention to the girl’s behind.

I’m so angry that the whole sky has turned crimson.

“So you just f*****g lie to me?” he growls. “I thought you were engaged this whole f*****g time.”

“You were never going to call me anyway, Henley. What does it matter?”

“I might have.”

“Who on earth do you think you are? You might have... pfft. f**k you,” I huff. I turn and storm toward my house, infuriated.

“Get back here and clean this mess up.”

I flick him the bird and keep walking.

Clean it yourself.

Ugh, why did I agree to this stupid welcome party?

It’s Saturday, and I can see everyone walking across the road to Carol’s house with their platters of food.

I’m dreading this with a passion.

I haven’t spoken to Henley since our fight over Barry. And now I have to go and pretend to everyone that I like him when all I really want to do is tip a drink over his entitled-asshole head.

I take one last look in the mirror and exhale heavily.

All right, I look good.

Feminine while not trying to be sexy. I’m done with being sexy on this street. The appropriate outfit for me right now would actually be a straitjacket, but whatever. This pink maxi dress will work just fine. It’s full and flowing, long, with spaghetti straps.

I grab my platter of hors d’oeuvres and, with my heart in my throat, make my way over to Carol’s house. The sound of chatter echoes through the street, and everyone seems to be in a jovial mood. Carol’s front veranda is full of people, some I’ve never seen before, and they all turn to look at me as I walk across her front lawn. I contemplate turning around and running back home.

Awkward.

“Here she is”—Carol laughs—“the guest of honor.”

“Hi.” I kiss her on the cheek and smile at everyone.

“Hi, Juliet.” One of the boys smiles. Everyone waves. “Hello, hello,” they all chime in.

“Hi.” Oh crap, this is awkward as hell. “Where would you like me to put this?” I gesture to the plate of dips and cheeses that I’ve brought.

“Just inside on the table, sweetheart.”

“Thanks.” I open the screen door and walk inside and smile at Carol’s house. It’s like a step back in time. Photos in frames are all over the walls, and the furnishings are all in perfect condition but date back forty years. There are even three flying ducks on the walls, like you see in the movies. I put my plate onto the table and take my time to rearrange it. Seriously, I just want to go home. This is not enjoyable.

“Hi,” a voice from beside me sounds.

I look up to see a girl with light-brown hair. She’s around my age and pretty. “I’m Rebecca. I live a few doors down; I’ve been meaning to come over and introduce myself, but time has gotten away from me.”

“Oh hi, nice to meet you.” I smile as I shake her hand. “You’re in the blue house?”

“Yes, that’s it.” She gestures to a man across the room and waves him over. He’s blond and good looking and probably in his late thirties. “This is my husband, John.”

“Hello.” I shake his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Sorry I haven’t been over yet. Time flies,” he apologizes.

“Oh no, please, I totally get it.” I shrug. “I’m busy too.”

“What do you do?” he asks to make conversation.

“I’m a nurse.”

“Fantastic,” he replies. “Another medical professional on the street. That makes three of us now. I’m an orthopedic surgeon.”

“Wow.” I smile. I turn my attention back to Rebecca. “Do you work or have children... or?”

“God no.” She winces as she pours herself another glass of wine. “I’m a teacher—best contraceptive in the world.” She crosses her eyes as she tips her head back to drink.

I giggle. I like Rebecca already.

“Have you met everyone?” she asks.

“Some.” I shrug. “I work a lot, so I miss most people.”

“Come on”—she takes me by the hand—“I’ll introduce you.”

“Ugh, do you have to?” I whisper.

She giggles. “Unfortunately.” She drags me by the hand over to a group of men. “Boys, this is Juliet. She’s the homecoming queen of today. This is Blake Grayson.” She introduces me. “Blake is a doctor.”

I feel like I know a creepy stalker amount of information about Dr. Grayson already, not that I’ll ever let on.

“Hello.”

“Juliet is a nurse,” Rebecca tells him.