“I know but—”
“You’re going. End of story.”
“But—”
“End. Of. Story. Don’t test me, I’ll lock you out of this house if I have to.”
I shake my head at her. “I haven’t even asked work yet, so ...”
“They’ll kick you out of the door too, believe me. You work your ass off. Call that boy, and tell him you’re going. Trust me, you won’t regret it.”
I sigh and run a hand through my hair.
My phone rings beside me, and I glance down to see a private number again.
“Who is it?” Shania asks.
“Private number. It’s called a few times. I think someone has the wrong number.”
“Here, let me answer it.”
She snatches the phone before I can argue and answers it. “Hello?”
She listens for a minute. “Seriously, if this is someone trying to sell something, you should stop calling, we’re not interested. Okay, have a great day.”
She hangs up, drops the phone and acts like she’s dusting dirt off her hands. “There, that’ll stop them calling again.”
I laugh. “I highly doubt it, but thanks.”
“I get those calls all the time, too. Soooo annoying. Anyway, tell me about Jack. Did you saddle that bad boy up yet?”
I shake my head with a giggle. “It’s not like that.”
“It’s going to get like that this weekend.”
“No, no, it isn’t.”
“Yes, yes, it is.”
I flop down onto the bed beside her. “I feel like I can trust him, I feel like he’s a really good person, but I don’t know that I trust myself anymore, you know? I thought York was all those things, too.”
“Yeah, but not everyone is evil like York. Just because one person hurt you, doesn’t mean others will. You have to trust again eventually.”
“I know, I’m trying, but ...”
“You’re scared.”
“So fucking scared,” I whisper.
“Just go with them this weekend, enjoy yourself, maybe it’ll help you see things more clearly.”
I roll to my side and stare at my best friend. “Do you think he’s a good person?”
“I don’t know him. But I think you should get to know him and find out for yourself. You’re smarter now. You’re not going to fall into the traps you did with York, because you’ve learned, even if you think you haven’t. Take it easy. Go steady. And just see what happens. If it ever feels wrong, even for a second, you leave.”
I nod, chewing on my bottom lip.
“If you stop, and look back, really look back, you know that it felt wrong with York long before you left him. You knew it, deep down. If you feel that again, you run.”
She’s right.
I ignored what felt so wrong before, and because of that, I got myself hurt. I trust my instincts a lot more now, but I also know I’m still fragile, my self-esteem isn’t what it should be, and I can still be far too soft. I wonder sometimes if I could be manipulated again, with the right twist of words and actions.
“I’m not sure I can trust myself fully,” I admit.
“Well, you have to teach yourself one day. I think now is a good time to start.”
I smile at her. “Where would I be without you?”
She smiles back. “Probably in a mental ward.”
We both laugh.
And I send a silent prayer of thanks for her. Because I honestly don’t know where I’d be without her.
CHAPTER 15
NOW – BAYLEE
“You got everything?” Jack asks, throwing my bag into the back of his truck.
“I think so,” I say, rubbing my arms. “I’ve never been sailing.”
“As long as you have plenty of cool, light things to wear, like dresses and swim suits, you’ll be fine.”
“I have all that.”
“Then you’ll be fine. Jump in. We’re riding with Molly and Roman. We had to rock paper scissors over who got stuck with Quinn and Phoenix, and it must be our lucky day, because my brother Diesel and his girlfriend Mercedes got him.”
I laugh. “Thank god.”
He chuckles and opens the door for me. I slide into the car and look over at the back, where Molly and Roman are snuggled together, one of her legs casually thrown over his lap, his arm slung around her shoulder.
“Hey, guys,” I say, giving them a little wave.
“Hey, chicky,” Molly smiles. “You ready for this?”
I smile nervously. “I’m not sure what I’m in for, so it’s hard to answer that.”
“Don’t worry, it’s Roman’s first time, too. You two can be afraid together.”
Roman snorts. “I’ve seen enough from you, I’m not sure anything could scare me now.”
“Don’t bet on it,” she teases him, pinching his arm lightly.
He snaps his teeth at her, to which she curls her fingers into his hair and brings him forward for a kiss. Right. I turn and face the front as Jack slides in. He looks back at the two of them making out and clears his throat. “This is not some porn taxi, or a place where you can get down and dirty. Separate.”
Molly laughs as she pulls away from Roman. “I love when you get bossy.”
Jack flips her the bird. “If I catch you eating his face again, I’ll throw you out of the car.”
“By all means, throw her out,” Roman teases, and Molly thumps him again.
“You love me, you doodle.”
I giggle.
“About as much as a thorn stuck deep, deep in my foot.” He grins down at her.
“Don’t worry about those two,” Jack says. “They’re about as serious as a comedian.”
“They’re cute,” I say, crossing my legs on the chair.
“They’re annoying.”
I roll my eyes.
“Who is ready to hit the road?” Jack calls.
“I am!” Molly cries.
“God help us,” Roman mutters.
“Let’s do this,” I say with a deep breath.
“All right, let’s do this indeed.”
Jack starts the truck and we pull out onto the road, heading in the direction of the highway that’ll lead us towards the coast. The second we’re on the main stretch, Molly starts singing.
“Ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall ...”
“I swear to God, Molly, I will throw you out of this car myself,” Roman says, his voice light with humour.
“I’d like to see you try.”
“I’d help him,” Jack says. “I’m fairly sure Baylee would, too. Nobody likes that song.”
“Yeah,” Molly says with a giggle, “well, nobody likes you either, Jack.”
“Come on now.” Jack laughs. “Baylee likes me.”
“I don’t know,” I say with a laugh. “I’m starting to think I’d rather hear the song.”
“Ohhhh, burned,” Molly squeals as Roman pinches her leg.
“You wound me, sweetheart.”
I grin at Jack and his smile gets huge. “Like it when you grin like that.”
My heart flutters.
“I think we can find some better music, so we don’t have to listen to Molly’s amazing singing the whole way,” I say lightly, playing with the radio.
“Aw, come on, it isn’t that bad!” Molly says.
“You ought to hear her in the shower, it’s like a cat getting strangled.” Roman laughs.
“I will beat you down, Roman,” she threatens.
“Try it,” he says, his voice low and husky.
“God. You two turn everything into sex talk. Animals,” Jack mutters.
I laugh and settle on a station, turning it up.
Molly starts singing along.
Roman is right, it does sound like a cat being strangled.
But it’s the best damned sound I’ve heard in a long time, so I kick back and let her torment the entire car with her incredibly painful sound.
We travel like that, with Moll
y singing on and off, and then finally falling asleep against Roman’s shoulder for about three hours before we stop for gas. We all pile out of the car, leaving Molly to sleep and go inside to get some snacks. There are two other trucks travelling with us, and I realise I’ll finally get to meet Jack’s older brother, Diesel.
I spot him right away.
It’s hard not to. He’s nearly an exact replica of Mack. By his side, he has a gorgeous blond that looks tiny compared to his tall, well-built frame. He’s got the same skin, the same dark hair, and the same Native American eyes that take your breath away. He walks over to where Jack and I are standing, and I just stare at him. Wow. This family has some seriously good genetics; I can’t deny it.
“Little bro,” he says, clapping Jack on the shoulder before his eyes swing to me. “This must be Baylee. Hey, I’m Diesel, and this is my girl, Mercedes.”
“Hi,” I say, extending a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
He takes my hand, his long fingers curling around it. He’s scary, like his dad, but not in the usual way. It’s a subtle strength, one that radiates off him. You know you wouldn’t mess with them. They don’t have massive muscles, or tattoos, but there is something that screams don’t fuck with me.
“Gosh, you’re so pretty!” Mercedes says, stepping forward and throwing her arms around me. “It’s so nice to meet you. Just think, one day we might be sisters.”
I giggle, I can’t help it. She’s funny. And cute. Cute as hell.
“Jesus, Mercy, you’ve barely said five words to the girl, slow it down,” Jack grumbles, crossing his arms.
“Aw, Jack, don’t kill my buzz.”
“It’s okay.” I laugh. “It’s nice to meet you, Mercedes.”
“Call me Mercy, and you too.”
“God, can we come in your car!” Phoenix mutters, stepping up to the group. “Riding with Diesel is like riding with a damned slave driver. You laugh, he barks at you, you cry, he barks at you, you fucking fart, the dick barks at you.”
We all burst out laughing.
“Well, if you weren’t such an annoying little shit, I wouldn’t bark at you,” Diesel mumbles.
“Seriously, can we swap?” Phoenix pleads.
“Not sure what’s better, an annoying, farting Phoenix or Molly’s terrible singing,” Jack mutters.
“Fuck that, you keep that girl and her singing,” Diesel says, crossing his arms. “I’ve witnessed it. I’d rather Phoenix.”
I laugh.
“Hurry up, we’re so close, stop chattering!” Matilda says, skipping up to Diesel and poking his ear with her finger.
“Matilda, I swear, I’ll drop you,” he growls at her.
Mercedes bursts out laughing.
“Stop poking the bear, sister.” She giggles. “He’s moody.”
“Not been keeping up the lovin’, Merc?” Matilda laughs, wiggling her brows.
Mercedes winks. “Oh, there’s plenty of lovin’. He’s just got that constant moody thing going on. Like a man period.”
Diesel looks to the sky. “God fuckin’ give me strength.”
I laugh again.
“Well, come on, TJ is waiting in the car,” Matilda says, and I hear Roman snort.
I glance at him, and he winks at me. What am I missing?
“Long story, but you wait until you meet the man Matilda calls her boyfriend,” Jack whispers in my ear. “Roman calls him Calvin Klein. The man is a woman, a pretty woman, but a woman all the same.”
“Oh,” I grin. “Okay.”
“Stop whispering, you lovers, and let’s go!” Matilda claps again.
“Right, let’s roll.”
I follow Jack to the truck, and we all climb back in. I glance back at Molly, who is still sleeping on the back seat, snoring softly.
I shake my head, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
Yeah, these people ... They’re the best type.
Without a doubt.
CHAPTER 16
THEN – MADDIE
“Where have you been?”
I have just stepped through the front door when York’s voice hits me like a whip. It’s angry, I can tell right away. I let my eyes travel around the room, until they settle on him sitting on the sofa, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. It’s not too late, maybe just past eight PM. I’ve been working all day, and then Shania was in town for the evening so I went to dinner with her.
I wasn’t long.
“I was at work,” I say carefully, trying to judge his mood.
He’s been good the last week, and his moods have seemed to lessen. At least, that’s what it appeared like. He hasn’t been angry, or yelling, or having highs and lows. He’s slept a lot, sure, but I figured that was because he was trying to stop using. So, seeing him sitting on the couch, his face filled with that familiar rage, has my heart twisting and my body going on high alert.
“You finished work at five. It’s now past eight. I’ll ask again, where the fuck have you been?”
I place my bag down carefully, wondering how to respond. York isn’t a big fan of Shania; he thinks she’s no good for me. I didn’t tell him she was in town, because I didn’t know until half way through the day and I knew he’d be sleeping so I didn’t bother him with a phone call. He’s never gotten upset if I’m late before, so it seems odd he is now.
“Shania was in town for the afternoon, she had been here for work, we caught up before she flew out.”
“Liar!” York bellows, swinging his arm out and sending a lamp off a nearby table across the room. “You’re a fucking liar. Are you cheating on me?”
What?
“York, stop,” I squeak, stepping backwards towards the door. “I swear I’m telling the truth.”
“You’re a fucking liar,” he growls, standing and storming over to me. I have nowhere to go, the door is closed behind me, and I don’t want to turn my back.
I’m frozen in fear.
York stops in front of me, his big body towering over mine. “Is there another man? Have you been taking someone else’s cock?”
I flinch. “No. I swear. I haven’t been doing anything. I really was with Shania.”
“You think I’m going to believe that pathetic lie?”
His eyes are crazed. He’s acting like a psycho. Where’s there paranoia coming from? I know the answer even before I’ve finished asking myself the question.
“I’m telling you the truth. If you don’t believe me, call her and—”
Thump.
His fist connects with my cheek, and my head swings to the side. My knees give out, and I slump to the ground, shocked, in agony, and terrified. I look up at him through blurred vision. He punched me. He. Punched. Me.
“Don’t you fucking insult me, you little bitch. That stupid cow would tell me whatever she thought you wanted to protect you. Now, I’ll ask you again, where the fuck were you?”
“I’m telling the truth!” I cry.
He reaches down, tangling his fingers in my hair and jerking me up. A scream escapes my throat, and my hands go out, trying to claw him off me. He drags me down the hall, me screaming at him to stop. It feels like he’s going to rip my hair clean out of my head, and my cheek is throbbing. I’m terrified. My legs are shaking. My body is numb. I want to fight but fear has its hands gripped tightly around me.
“York.”
I hear Rae’s voice and York stops. She’s standing at her room, staring in shock at the way he’s dragging me as if I’m no more than a rag doll.
“Get into your fucking room, Rae. This has nothing to do with you.”
“You’re hurting her,” she says, her eyes bloodshot.
“Get to your room!” he roars.
“Please stop hurting her,” she begs, and it’s the first time in a while I’ve heard her show genuine concern. My eyes water as York’s grip tightens on my hair.
“Last chance,” he growls.
“York, stop.”
“Get to your fucking room, Rae.”
&n
bsp; “Please—”
His foot launches out and hits her in the stomach, sending her flying backwards into her bedroom. I scream out his name, trying to squirm free, but he’s got me so tightly I can’t move. Tears stream down my face as I look at his sisters crumpled form on the ground, clutching her stomach, looking at him with such horror and pain.
“I said mind your fucking business,” he roars so loudly Rae flinches.
He drags me further down the hall, and I fight to free myself, needing to go to Rae. She could be seriously hurt.
“York, please,” I beg. “Let me go.”
He reaches the room and kicks the door open, tossing me in. I stumble a few times and land on my hands and knees near the bed.
“Get your fucking clothes off.”
My eyes get wide, and I crawl towards the bed. “No. York. No.”
“Take them off. I’ll find out if you’ve been with other men.”
“York. Please. This isn’t you.”
“Now!” he barks.
I back up until I’m pressed against the mattress. I huddle there, just staring at him. He wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t make me get naked. He wouldn’t ... he wouldn’t ...
“You have two seconds or I’ll fucking do it myself, Maddie.”
“York, please, I’m begging you ...”
“You want me to go in there and give my sister another fucking kick? Will that get you moving?”
The cruel. Heartless. Pig.
He’s using my softness against me. He knows I’ll protect Rae. She’s just a young girl. Of course I’ll protect her.
So, with shaky fingers, and tears running down my face, I do as he asks.
I take my clothes off.
~*~*~*~
“I’ve been trying to get hold of you for weeks,” Shania says on the phone, her voice concerned.
“Sorry,” I say, my voice weak and pathetic. “I’ve been busy working.”
“Something is wrong. I know it is. I can feel it. Is it York?”
I flinch at the name, and glance towards the door to make sure he’s not listening. He keeps tabs on me all the time. He took my phone. He drives me to work and brings me home. He won’t let me out of his sight. His paranoia is out of this world. It’s gone far and beyond. He’s using heavily, and the only peace I get is when he’s asleep. I spend most of that time making sure Rae is okay.