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“Ellie is not a slut,” Asher scolds “And I’m not your boy”

I search the cream-colored carpet for my socks and find therab thes sound like they are heating up in the living room

“Thank god for that You’re a piece of shit”

My breath catches in my chest Did Clint really say that? His blatant dislike for Asher tears ood man, with a kind heart He doesn’t deserve to be talked to like this, let alone woken up this way I hope this isn’t an everyday thing for him

“Whatever” Asher huffs “We’ll be out of your hair in five minutes”

“You owe me this week's rent,” Clint demands

My ears prick, curiosity spiked Why does Asher have to pay rent in hisdown trailer and abusive environ about their conversation feels off I hurry to finish tying the laces of my Converse

“I don’t have it yet”

Clint chuckles darkly “I’m not opposed to other for out with that slut of yours”

There’s a scuffling and then solass shatters I run out of Asher’s roo my ankle on a soft spot when the floor dips Clint has Asher pinned to the ground in the kitchen with the edge of a broken beer bottle against his neck

“Hey!” I yell, stor rooe from carpet to linoleum tile “Get the hell off him!”

Clint ignores ainst Asher’s neck A trickle of blood leaks, staining his pristine skin red Clint laughs at the sight while Asher is chillingly still Fueled by rage, I kick the man in the side

Clint grunts and turns his attention to me “You’re a stupid little bitch”

He stands and drops the beer bottle to the floor His sweat-stained tank top barely covers his sto off his hips His breath stinks fro his teeth and alcohol I absorb all of this in a fraction of a second, while he grabs me by the hair and pulls my face to his until we’re nose to nose

From my peripheral vision, I see Asher scurry to his feet, but I keep my eyes trained on Clint I’m not scared I knoithout a doubt that Asher won’t let anything happen to me