Excuse Me, I Quit! novel Chapter 24

Evan's P. O. V.

I halfheartedly walked Annie to her house. I felt angry and weak as I couldn't do anything to keep her away from that witch. Annie seemed much calmer since she took her pain medication. She must be feeling better now.

I took her other hand and kissed her palm. "If she tries anything you have to run back to my house. Promise me," I demanded.

"Okay," she said and smiled. "I'll be okay. My mom always lashes out on me," she said.

I pulled her towards me for one last kiss before she went inside then headed back to my house.

I was surprised to see Mike waiting for me at the front door. He was leaned against the wall, playing with his phone.

"Hey, what's up? What are you doing here all of a sudden?" I asked.

"I came to see you because I wanted to talk to you about something," he said.

I opened the door and motioned him to go inside. I wonder what was so important that he had to show up unannounced.

"Well, what's the big emergency?" I asked.

"I want to talk to you about Annie," he said.

I narrowed my eyes. "What about her?" I asked. I had a feeling I already know what this was about.

"I want to ask her on a date but I think she is hesitant because of you," he said.

Damn straight she is. What makes him think she would pick him over me?

"I think you better back off bro. Annie belongs to me. I mean I saw her first in case you forgot," I chuckled.

"You don't own her. Look, we are friends so I am gonna be honest with you. Annie deserves someone nicer than you. You have a track record of hurting girls who care about you and I don't want her to get hurt. She will be happier with me," Mike insisted.

"Fuck off! I will never hurt her. I really like her. Besides, you don't know her like I do so I won't let you have her," I snarled. "Don't act like you are better than me!"

"I am not. I just know you," Mike's eyes were hard. "I see how you treat girls. She doesn't deserve that."

"You are wrong. I would never treat her badly," I insisted.

"Are you sure about that?" he glared at me.

It's true. I wasn't a Mr. Nice Guy. I hurt people in the past. Many times. My girlfriends never last because they all eventually got tired of me acting like a jerk. Just like how Portia did and the one before her. I promised myself I'd never do that to Annie but will I be able to keep that promise?

"What, no response?" Mike asked.

"It doesn't matter. She likes me more than you anyway. She will never go out with you," I chuckled. I was pretty confident about that as I imagined her melt into my arms every time I touched her.

"Whatever. Is that all you did? Or did that boy pop your cherry too?" she chuckled. "No, that can't be. That boy wouldn't touch your ugly mug," she added cruelly.

"STOP IT! Please just leave me alone!" I cried. I can't take this anymore. Why won't she leave me alone?

"Whatever, just go to your room and stay there. I've had enough of you. And if you leave the house again just because of my little punishment, don't bother coming back again," she waved her hands in dismissal and walked back inside her room.

I walked to my room in a daze. The pain in my hand was back and her cruel words didn't help. I needed to lie down and try to tune everything out.

I took off my glasses and laid on my bed motionless. I wish my life was normal with a mother who loved me. What do loving mothers act like anyway?

I thought about Evan. It was a shock to see him act like that. I never imagined him of all people would get turned on by me. Did he really mean it when he called me beautiful? Or was it because he just wanted to have sex with me. Does he think I am an easy lay?

But that can't be right. He protected me today. He was gentle and caring. Maybe he does care about me. I wanted to know how he truly felt but I didn't have the guts to ask him directly. What if he says he only wanted to sleep with me? That would hurt more than my burnt hand.

I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep. I jolted awake after a few minutes as I heard a light tap on my window.

Evan? Did he come to check on me?

My heart fluttered. I quickly got out of the bed and put my glasses back on then strode toward the window. I gasped as I opened the curtain.

Mike!? What was he doing here?