Page 217
Chapter 217 of "Tempting Venom" opens presenting key developments: I have to scroll through pages and pages of Preston being so dramatic and Jude... Read on!
I have to scroll through pages and pages of Preston being so dramatic and Jude and Kane either calling him out or threatening him. That seems to result in him being more dramatic and threatening them back.
Oh, and he talked about meâwell, mostly after he burned my bike, to which Kane and Jude said it was a bad idea. It was. Because theyâre right. I targeted him even harder after that and got him exactly where I wanted him.
In my arms.
The group chat only gives me bits and pieces. Kane and Jude are clearly overprotective of him. They keep checking whether or not he took his meds. Even late last night, theywere both texting to check in about his whereabouts, and Jude was asking, âWhat the fuck was that in the parking lot? Answer me, Pres. Are you okay?â
He grumbled for a bit, then told them he was fine and spending the night at his dadâs.
Liar.
Jude and Kane mention the word âspiralingâ a lot. Which I suppose he tends to do.
His chat with Jude is mostly about meds, food, training, and general annoying details, considering their cohabitation.
That has to end as soon as possible.
If he needs someone to keep him in check, that will be me,notJude.
And no, I donât give a fuck about their âbestiesâ status. I donât like another man babying whatâs mine.
Thatâsmyjob.
I scroll to his exchanges with his father, since thatâs obviously a wound he refuses to treat.Dad (Aka Daddy Issues)âas Preston saved himâis what Iâd expect from the leader of the Armstrong family. Terse, austere, marginally out of his depth with Prestonâs over-the-top humor and ironclad deflection methods.
The moment his dad turns serious, which is most of the time, Preston comes up with the most random replies.
Dad
We need to discuss your behavior yesterday.
Or you can have someone handle me
What?
Sure, Dad. Letâs pretend *someone* doesnât exist. Makes both our lives easier.
Preston. Who is someone?
Right. Right. Weâre doing this. Gaslighting King
And another one.
Dad
The Armstrong Gala is in two weeks. Attend. Presentable. Sober.
Define âsober.â
Not injured or drunk.
So that means I can be high on Julianâs drugs or nah?
Then another.
Dad
Why did the trainer say you have bruises again? Are you fighting?