My hands went to my cheeks. “I think I’m dying.”
I heard him moving around but kept my eyes closed, trying to breathe through the mace pain, and used my sleeve to get the snot hanging out of my nose. At this point, death didn’t sound all that bad.
Another yell escaped me before my breath was taken away yet again when milk was cascaded over my head. I gasped and choked as it seeped into my mouth, nose, and ears, but the first moment of relief registered in my brain while the pain eased a little.
Once the milk flood stopped, a towel was placed in my hand, and I dabbed my face that was still as hot as a jalapeno. I blinked, but my vision was blurry.
The thick silence reminded me that I was clearly an unwelcome guest in this man’s cabin. I needed to get the hell out. “I’m really sorry about the mix up here. As soon as I can see again, I’m outta here.”
“No, I’ll go.” His voice was gravelly and oozed anger.
“I insist.” I groaned as my eyelids still burned, and I could feel swelling. “I want to get the hell out of this place now. I hate it here.”
“It’s not the cabin’s fault you’re crazy.”
I gasped. “Me crazy?”
“Who in the hell starts punching people without asking who they are? You deserved to get maced for your reckless behavior. I could’ve killed you!” His words were sharp, and I hated him with every fiber of my fucked-up being.
I turned in the direction of the horrible human being. “Or I could’ve killed you!”
He gave me a huff. “Right.”
“You’re an asshole.” I wiped my eyes again and spun around in my chair, wanting to get a glimpse of the dick in front of me, but no such luck. “Who doesn’t announce their presence instead of sneaking up behind someone?”
A sarcastic laugh filled the room, making me want to beat this person with a frying pan. “I tried, but you couldn’t hear me. You were probably listing to Taylor Swift shit like an airhead.”
Gasp. “You just shut your face! She’s a poet, but you’re just too small-minded to know that.”
“Whatever.” I heard him turn on the kitchen faucet.
“Well, my sight will be returning soon so consider me gone!” I was now able to see shadows and felt my way to the counter. I found my keys and attempted to shove my handbag contents back inside but could hear everything falling on the floor so I just grabbed my wallet, knowing I could replace the rest. I’d just sit in my car until I could see enough to drive. It was a shitty plan, but the best I could think of. I turned in the direction I believed he was in. “Peace out.”
I shuffled over to where the door was, but instead walked into the wall then felt his hand on my arm.
“You’re not going anywhere.” His voice was rigid and impatient.
“You’re not the boss of me.” I squirmed out of his grasp. “I do whatever I want. And I want to be as far away from here as possible.” I turned to exit, and my face slammed into the wall for the second time in the last twenty seconds. Word of the day again?
“As much as I want your ass as far away from here as possible, you’ll likely break your neck tumbling down the stairs, and then I’ll have to deal with Dave. Clearly, you’re just one big shit show. You’re staying.”
“I will not stay in the same house as a douche-baggy prick like you.” I hadn’t realized my teeth were clenched together.
“You’re the one who assaulted yourself with mace.” His tone was flat.
I opened my mouth to say something, but at that second, I was scooped up and thrown over the guy’s shoulder.
“You put me down!”
He laughed. “Let’s just get you to your room so I don’t have to listen to another word out of your mouth, okay?”
After a few seconds, I was startled when I landed on my bed. “I am leaving as soon as I?—”
He huffed. “Do you ever shut up?”
I was going to answer, but realized it was a trap.
“Your brother will murder me if I let the sister he seems to like roam off.” He inhaled deeply. “You do what you have to in order to recover from whatever the hell just happened in the kitchen. I’m going to my room for some well-earned quiet time in my home. We’ll figure out who leaves in the morning. Got it?”
