Free JINXED: (Karma Series, Book Two) by Donna Augustine Page A

neutral as possible, I forced myself to sit there. Bic and Angus had taken a few steps away from me, and closer to them, clearly enjoying the gossip as well.
    Lars looked over at me and I tried to pretend I couldn’t hear every word he said. I couldn’t decide if it was better to stop the gossip or pretend I didn’t know. Either way was equally humiliating, so it was a tough call.
    “The story is they slept together and then he dissed her,” Lars said. The other three all made gasping noises at this new tidbit.
    Holy shit, this could not be happening. The second I left here, I was going to track Luck down and beat her with every last ounce of energy I had.
    “So he dissed her?” Cutty asked, completely engrossed in the intimate details of my life.
    Lars shot another look my way and then lowered his voice a notch before continuing. “From what my source said, it wasn't an I'm not interested in you rejection as much as it's better for you if we're apart type.”
    “What did she do?” Bic asked, he and Angus pretty much right on top of them now.
    They were seriously going to stand there and gossip about me now? This just crossed every line I had, lines I didn’t even know existed until now.
    “From what I've heard, she was pretty upset but pretended she didn't care. Then he was all I don't care either but he definitely does. I’ve seen them,” Lars added.
    Cutty started nodding his head. “So what do you think is going to happen?”
    Throwing my file down, I got to my feet. I couldn’t do a round of speculation, too. I marched over, forced myself in between the four of them and put my hands on my hips. “What has or has not happened between us is not for your discussion.”
    Cutty looked down at me. Actually, they all did. Fate’s guys were freakishly tall, up close.
    Cutty looked at me assessing and nodded. “Yep, They slept together.”
    “I didn't say that.” I knew I shouldn’t raise my voice, but it happened anyway.
    “You didn't say you didn't .” Cutty turned back to Lars. “This makes things much more difficult.”
    “No shit.”
    Cutty lifted the roll of tape in his hand. “We can't tape her to the chair, so what do you guys want to do tonight?”
    “I'm not his girlfriend!”
    They all looked at me and then decided to ignore me.
    I poked a finger into Cutty's chest to get his full attention. “You tape me to that chair this instant!” I tried to rip the roll of tape from his hand but he wouldn't let go.
    “No!” He yanked it back and held it up above my reach. “I won't do it and you can't make me.”
    “Let's take a vote,” Lars said.
    “What's the point?” the Bic said. “If she's doing Fate, what’s left to do?”
    “Not about her, you idiot. Where we're going out tonight,” Cutty corrected.
    “What about O'Toole’s?” Bic said.
    “O'Toole’s is good with me. You two good with that?” Angus added in.
    That was it? They were just going to leave? Probably to continue with the gossip over a beer. “I'm not good with that!”
    “Karma, I'd like to help you out, but it's just not in the cards.” Cutty threw his hands up in the air. “I'm sorry. Nothing I can do about it.”
    Cutty headed toward the door and the other guys followed.
    I ran in front of them and tried to block the door. “No. No one is leaving here!”
    “Can someone else step in here? I just can't keep doing this with her when she won't take no for an answer.” Cutty stepped aside and Angus stepped forward. He put his hands on my waist, picked me up and then deposited me to the side.
    “That's it?” I yelled out after them.
    “Oh, yeah. Sorry. We're finished here. You need a ride or something?” Lars asked.
    “I hate you all.”
    “Are you sure he didn't dump her cause she's crazy?” I heard Bic say as they walked out without me.
     
     
     
     
     

     
    Chapter Nine
     
    Even a cat only has nine lives.
     
    Luck was sashaying through the lobby, her five-inch heels clicking away, when I finally