Status Updates From Unhinged (Unraveled Renegad...

Rod fidgets frustrated and restless. “Go back to Richmond. I’m beyond help.”
“I don’t believe that statement.”
“You weren’t there.”
“Did something occur at the Halloween party?”
“No. Almost.” He sighs, and his blinking eyes water. “Yes.”
“I saw you dancing.”
"Dancing. If only.”
“You danced with Ali. Did things go further?”
“A little. But she made me do it.” His face and voice harden. “I’m used to that.”

“You think I’ll give up easily?” Amos laughs. “Then you underestimated me.”
“I’m not surprised you’d sink this low.”
“When do you get a break?”
“I can never catch one of those fuckwads.” I set the bourbon bottle down with a bang that vibrates through my arm. “I have nothing more to say to you.”
“I beg to differ. You want to talk about it here, then? Fine. I believe it’s because of a certain woman. Or two.”

“I’ve learned that sex is not just to get off. My desire for you is a serious hunger, not useless coercion.”
“Greg Rodwell is getting all flowery and shit.”
“Well, I’m in love.”
I smile and whisper, “Me too.”

“You can leave now, Amos.”
He shakes his bald head with the Members Only beard. “Nope. I have planning to do.”
“For your exodus? Have a pleasant trip. If you go now, I won’t cry too hard.”
“Business plans.”
“I’m pretty sure you know what it means, Rod.”
Candi laughs. “Rod? Did he just insult you?”
“In a thousand ways.”
Amos grins like a great white, which he barely passes as a roadie for that useless band.

Just promise me you don't want him. I stood by once, but never again. This time, I won't go down without a fight. I would die for you, but I'd rather kill for you.

“I don’t care what you say. I saw you with her, and I can’t stand in your way, but I also can’t stand to watch you fall in love.”
His laugh makes me look up at him. Greg sighs. “Are you fucking serious?”
I scowl at his attitude. “Yes. So, you can be with Kleo.”
“But you can’t watch me fall in love? Why does it bother you to watch me do that? There has to be a reason.”

“I gave her an indecent proposal without the cash.”
“You propositioned her?”
“Use smaller words, Vaughn, or I’m going to sleep.”
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions.”
“Jump away, Frogger. I asked her to screw me, so enjoy that mental picture. I wanted her to cheat on Wilder.”
“You wanted her to have an affair with you?”
“God save the queen. Get the hell on board. I’m not rebuilding the goddamn Titanic.”

Taking off her coat, she glances at me but then looks away. Her ass looks good in a short black denim skirt. Goddamn, her legs. The way she moves is like watching a tide pool swirling sand. I don’t even just stare at her ass. My eyes are all over her legs, tits, and smile, which she does a lot. People love her.
Someone asks, “You got a thing for the new girl?”
“No.” Again, way too fast. I have no chill.

Unable to hide it anymore, I whisper, “I want you. So goddamn much.” Her hand goes to my T-shirt, and she shoves it upward. I stop fingering her to sit up, and I get off the bed. When I push down my jeans, her eyes are on my dick. I creep over her, impatient yet unsure of what the fuck I’m doing. Hovering over her, I look at her naked body beneath me.
She whispers, “What? Are you okay? We don’t have to do this.”

“You’ll sleep with him but not take me up on my offer? I gave you a path to forgiveness.”
“It’s emotional blackmail. Forget to forgive me because you either forgive me now or never. If me fucking you is the only way you might stop hating me, then you can go fuck yourself. I’m not some mindless whore you can manipulate or guilt into having sex, just so you can screw other women. Now, get out of my way, Rod.”

"Oh, my God, Greg." Her pussy grabs my dick like it’s the last contraband donut at a health spa. I may as well be coming again because her orgasm is tight, slippery, and it feels fucking amazing even with a rubber. It also sounds like I’m stomping through mud puddles. She whisper-shrieks, so I cover her mouth with my hand until the only sound we hear is pots and pans clanging on TV.

You left Richmond without even a fuck you.”
“You’re right. How rude of me. Fuck you. There you go.”
“Lovely. And it’s not just me you left. You left Birdy.”
“What good was I to her there?”
“You’re right. Her mother never left.” That also stings. “What about Hadley?”
“Get out of my face.”
“I guess you never cared about her, either. I’ll make sure to tell her that, and she’ll hate you forever.”

“Rod—”
“Stop calling me that.”
Amos frowns, not expecting that. With the music more muted in the kitchen, I practically hear his judgment. “What? Rod?”
“The one and only.”
He squints like I shined the sun in his face. “For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve been Rod.”
“Not by choice. It was forced upon me. This is where I kill Rod. I’m Greg. Always been and like Janet Jackson, I’m finally in control.”

“You’re acting weird.”
Mom's phone bounces around in her hands and she catches it. “Lord Almighty, Greg!”
“Settle down there. You planning a bank heist or something?”
“Just checking messages.” Her smile is stiff.
“What’s with you?”
“Nothing. I hired a new assistant today—Kelsey.”
“Sounds like a cheerleader whose favorite position is on her knees.”
“Honestly, Greg. Why do you say things like that?”
“Because I can?”

You think I’ve changed? Well, all aboard the Crazy Train and hold on for wretched life. Those sharp turns and sudden betrayals are a bitch.

“You propositioned Hadley?”
“Use smaller words, Vaughn, or I’m going to sleep.”
“I’m trying to understand, and I don’t want to jump to conclusions.”
“I asked her to screw me. I wanted her to cheat on Wilder.”
“You wanted her to have an affair with you?”
“God save the queen. Get the hell on board. I’m not rebuilding the goddamn Titanic.”
“I apologize. I’m trying to understand. How far have you gone with Hadley?”