I let out a low growl. Frustration grows in my chest, but I’m not ready to give up yet. I pull a credit card out of my wallet, sliding it carefully between the double door latch, then carefully bend it until it gives. At least I didn’t have to call Maddox to bring me something to pick the lock with.
I make my way up to her room as quietly as possible because it won’t do any good to be caught by the house mother. The one on shift this week isn’t the most understanding.
I tap quietly on the door, listening for sounds of movement on the other side of the door. When I don’t hear anything, I knock again. This time a little louder.
Heidi swings the door open, her blue eyes glassy with sleep and that wild mane looking like a family of squirrels have made a nest. “Ryder,” she croaks groggily. “What are you doing here?”
“Where is she?” I demand with more anger than I intend.
Heidi, always the firecracker, eyes me suspiciously. “She’s not here.”
“What in the bloody hell do you mean she’s not here? Where is she?” I don’t mean to be so loud, but the panic welling up in my chest is making it hard to think straight.
“She left days ago, Ryder,” she tells me warily.
“Left for where? When is she coming back?” I’m getting more in her space with each second.
She tips her chin and crosses her arms. She’s trying to be tough, but the glint in her eyes tells me I’m intimidating her. She bites her lip before she blows out a breath. “If she didn’t tell you, Ryder, then I’m not saying anything. If she wanted you to know, she would’ve told you herself.”
My teeth clench tightly, reigning in the need to lash out. “When is she coming back?”
“I honestly don’t know. She didn’t say when or if she was coming back.”
“If,” I sputter. “What do you mean if?”
She just shakes her head giving me a sad look. I give a sharp nod backing away from her, keeping the thundering rage in my veins in check.
She left. She didn’t say anything at all. Just up and left.
Selfish.
Worthless.
Unlovable.
Words I’ve been told by my mother fill me with hate and rage. They’re lies. I’m none of those things, and I will not let anyone else treat me like I am.
She could’ve at least had the balls to say goodbye.
My vision tunnels. I’m not sure how I make it across town, but I find myself sitting in the far corner of Nightlife with a fifth of Blanton’s Blue gone and another one halfway there, two girls on each side of me, and one dancing in front of me. I down glass after glass of the expensive whiskey as I watch the show. The girls’ hands trail up my thighs and down my chest, but nothing stirs. Not even a twitch.
“Why the fuck is this kid hogging the best girls?” some asshole demands, standing over me with two other guys on each side of him. His arms are crossed over his chest, his feet spread wide as he tries to intimidate me.
I couldn’t stop the laugh from leaving my mouth if I wanted to. I don’t want to. “Because I am me.” I down another glass of the golden liquid, relishing the smooth burn as it glides down my throat.
“Why don’t you take your fucking ass back to the playground, and let the real men enjoy the talent?”
“I’d be happy to,” I smirk. “You’re gonna need to point them out first.”
The man grabs me by the shirt, dragging me to my feet. The smirk never leaves my face. At least it doesn’t until he opens his mouth again. “You worthless little shit. You think all that money you’re flashing will save you from getting your ass kicked?”
Worthless.
That word is such a trigger for me. It holds more power over me than I want it to. I don’t even think before I rear my head back, swinging it forward, hitting the man in the nose. Blood starts pouring down his face as he cradles his face with a howl. One of hisfriendsreaches for me, but even drunk, I’m quick. I dodge his grasp, then slam the glass still in my hand into his face. I turn before the other friend has a chance to think about what’s happening, landing a right cross on his jaw.
The first guy lands a shot to my ribs, knocking the wind out of me long enough for his friends to grab me again. They land another shot to my ribs and one to my jaw, making the room that was already spinningfeel like a tilt-a-whirl. Somehow, I manage to dodge a blow coming from the guy, causing him to hit his friend instead. With them distracted, I slip my hand into my pocket, sliding my fingers into the brass knuckles I keep there. With one swift move, I land my hand across the jaw of the first guy, reveling in the crack of his jaw against my fist.
Before I can turn to the other two, arms grab me from behind. The tell-tale sound of clicking sounds as the feel of cool metal encircles my wrist. The three assholes groan from the ground, and a wicked smile crosses my lips, showing the blood I taste on my teeth.
