Hostile

by Nicole Dykes

Eighteen years old and should feel like the luckiest guy in the world but the truth is . . . I’m broken. Undeniably broken.

Aw shit here we go again

Yeah. Happy fucking birthday to me.

There has been like a strange amount of exposition rn thru self-deprecation LOL You know what it’s just like fkn Andy in Project Hero explaining to us that he’s a loser but Falcon? He’s a hero. UUUGH

“You sure? You’ve been . . .” Moody. Angry. Ungrateful.

I’ve just met you, how are you so annoying LOL

“Well . . . there’s this studio apartment. It’s not too far.” She looks surprised and carefully asks, “You already found a place?” “Y-yeah.” I drop my hand and sigh, trying my best not to hurt her feelings. “I’m going to move in this weekend.”

BRUH

“Oh yeah? I thought you said she was into you.” He stands a little straighter. “Well, she was. Or I was in her not all that long ago.” Again, with the eyebrows, and I try not to cringe.

Yoshida shock

On the boy with sandy-blond hair and piercing green eyes.

If you’re talking about Rhett, I’m retconning this LOL

“I’m not drunk, Grayson. I like you.” She may not be stupid drunk right now, but I can smell the alcohol on her breath. “I like you too.” “But not enough to fuck me.” Christ. I lean my head back against the couch, kicking myself, yet again, for coming to this stupid party.

Why are we having mirror conversations lol

“You’re not alone.” Fuck. Emotions threaten to escape. Feelings I can’t begin to understand overwhelm me as I nod my head at him, trying to silently tell him I understand what he’s saying.

I wish you would tell me <3

“I don’t . . .” I grip the back of my neck, trying to sooth some of the tension there. “I don’t think of her like that.” He turns his head to look at me. I don’t see anger in his eyes. It’s more . . . Pity? “Why? Bree is great.”

Who cares!

“No. That’s gross. She’s like my sister.” I shove his shoulder. “That’s what I’m saying, dumbass.” He laughs again and then groans, “But she doesn’t see you like a brother. I don’t think she ever has. You guys have a different kind of bond.”

Oh so it’s only ok when it’s you

“Okay. I get that. I do. But can’t you let her down easy?” “I tried,” I defend. “Well, she’s hurt. You have to talk to her. She hasn’t been herself. It’s hard to put yourself out there, Rhett. And then to get rejected?”

What do you want him to do bc unreject her is not an option lol

Letting everyone down, even though I’m doing everything their way.

Why are these just the same characters

“Why?” His voice is gravelly and deep, a rumble that goes straight to my dick,

Well our first sentient dick

But as I work, it’s eyes on me from across the room—big, dark-blue eyes that I’ve only just noticed have some golden flecks in them—that leave me feeling uneasy and distracted. I can’t figure out

You can see golden flecks from that far??

I bristle, pissed off that he doesn’t seem to fear me at all.

LOL Ok thats funny and relatable

My eyes narrow in his direction. “Now who’s being judgmental?” His gaze seems to soften only slightly. “Like I said, Grayson. We aren’t friends.” With that, he closes the door, and I watch him climb the stairs up to his apartment. Then, I smile. Because yeah. Yeah, we are.

No, I don’t think you are but. Whatever to progress the plot.

Bree—a.k.a. my current obsession’s adopted sister.

OK

They spend so much time telling me how good I am, but I just can’t get past the fact that if I were so damn good, my parents wouldn’t have given me up.

OK he’s traumatized and is dealing with abandonment - this is good to know! Wishing him a very THERAPY.

“What do you think I’m doing?” That’s great, Grayson. Fight questions with questions. Brilliant.

You guys are so good at making things embarrassing for ME

study him cautiously. “You aren’t?” He shakes his head slowly, his eyes focused on my lips. I swear my heart might burst out of my chest. “No.” “Rhett . . .” Before I can say anything else, his lips slowly press against mine,

I wanted this to happen and yet :italian pinch: its doing nothing for me

Our tongues fight for dominance—his

I HAVEN’T SEEN THIS LINE IN A PUBLISHED BOOK IN SO LONNNNG AHAHA

“I thought I wasn’t interested in sex. To the point I was sure I was totally broken.”

YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE BROKEN BC YOU WERE ASEXUAL FOR A BIT :SOB:

“So . . . you see what I mean? I have no label.” “That’s probably not true.”

Who cares!

“Of course, it matters. I don’t know what I am.” “You’re Rhett.” I point to him, completely serious. “Moody asshole, decent artist, really good kisser. Rhett.” He looks like he’s partially annoyed and amused by my answer, but he doesn’t snap at me like I thought he would. Instead, he seems to be thinking it over before he huffs, grabbing the handle and pushing the door to the car open, still holding my gaze. “Fine. We can be friends.” I grin. “Friends who kiss?”

Reading this convo is like trying to follow the dialogue in a fast and furious movie

“Please don’t kick me out, Rhett. Not yet.” I look at him in horror, my eyes widening, and his voice remains a quiet plea. “I’ll go if you want me to, but please, not right away.”

AAAEW MY HEART he got to me here

I flinch slightly at that and lean my side into the back of the couch. “Grayson, listen to me, okay?” His eyes are fixed so fiercely on mine, it almost takes my breath away, but I have his attention, so I continue. “I’m fucked up.”

Brother, I’m sorry but I laughed

“Because no matter how good they are . . .” I meet his eyes with intensity. “It doesn’t matter to me. I’m fucked, beyond fucked, in the head. I don’t fully trust them, even though they’ve only done good

I hope Grayson’s answer on the next page is “ohhh you need therapy !”

“Not Rhys. Kole. He owns Hostile Ink,

Enough LOL

This. Guy. It’s like he gets me in a way no one ever has, but I still can’t figure him out.

You know why he gets you? Because You Talk To Him With Words LOL YOU WANT RHYS TO GUESS?

“Okay.” There’s a heat in his eyes and an electricity between us I can’t deny. I’m not even fighting it anymore.

We just made out - i didnt know we were fighting it

“Why?” His eyes are blazing with heat so intense, I suck in a sharp gasp of air that should embarrass me. It probably would if I wasn’t so turned-on. “I didn’t ask you to.”

Very good :lip bite:

We’ve done everything else, but when he told me he wanted me to fuck him, I’ve never been more afraid.

If you want to bottom, just say that

These italic thoughts at the end of every single chapter is taking me tf out

I’d love the idea of him being there in the crowd, secretly rooting for me. Knowing he’s been inside me. Knowing he knows what I look like when

This is a mad transition LOL

I don’t want to change Rhett.

Brother wdym? YOU’RE the one that’s not out LOL

“We aren’t together.” “Exactly.” His voice drips with anger now. “You’re pissed at me?” “I’m angry at life, Rhett!”

One thing about this book is it’s gonna make me hate teenagers

You have a boyfriend.” She gestures to me, and Rhett and I both freeze.

GIRL :SOB:

“And you have a home with your family, no matter where you move. Blair is crazy, and she will find you.”

I love her LOL

“What’s the name of his place again?” Rhys asks. “Hostile Ink,” I say with a grin, expecting a joke about how fitting it is that I’m going to be working there. He only scoffs with a grin and head shake. “Stupid fucking name,” he teases, and I laugh.

HAHA

where a pretty blonde woman is fussing at Fletcher and a stoic,

I’m sorry but Blair has black hair :heart hands:

Now that high school and are over, I’m left with nothing.

And wot? Lol

Bree scoffs, which is weird because I thought she’d understand. “I loved you for so long in secret.”

This is not the same thing at all? LOL

“If you need me before that, call.” I narrow my eyes, letting him know I’m dead serious. He only grins and kisses the tip of my nose. “My big, strong protector.”

Cute!

“I love him.” He’s flippant about that, waving his hand in the air, pushing it away. “Fine. Good. I don’t need details, just like I wouldn’t if you were with a woman.”

Why is his dad lowkey funny