Bastard.
It was just as I’d suspected. My father was pleasing his mistress and trying to keep Ryker away from me so Tabitha and Beverly had free access to the quarterback.
Adrenaline rushed to every extremity as I tried to get my body to move. I had a good mind to storm in. But that wouldn’t accomplish anything other than sparking a yelling match that ended with no outcome.
I was tired of my father’s bullshit. I was tired of trying to get him to see me as something other than a problem. For once, I wanted him to be a dad who loved his daughter unconditionally. I wanted him to support me no matter what I did or who I dated.
I wound my way back to where I’d left my suitcase, trying not to scream at the top of my lungs.Screw staying here. Screw my father, and screw his rules.
I passed Arlene, who was sitting with Baxter while she read from her iPad. “Tell my father he can shove his rules and deals up his ass.”
When I reached the foyer, my suitcase was still there along with my purse. I was surprised Roya hadn’t taken them to my room. Maybe Arlene knew I wouldn’t be staying long.Smart lady.I would give her that.
Hiking my purse on my shoulder, I grabbed my suitcase and didn’t look back.
Arlene chased after me. “Where are you going? Your father isn’t going to be pleased.” She sounded as though she would get scolded too.
I made quick work of throwing my things into the car. “Don’t care. Tell him not to look for me because he won’t find me.” I suspected he would if he sent out his security goons.
Once I was speeding down the long driveway, I screamed at the top of my lungs. Vengeance, rage, jealousy, and so much came out in that scream.
I had no idea where I was going. I couldn’t go to the dorm. He would look for me there. I knew one place that could be my sanctuary. So I drove to Ryker’s house—the one located right off campus.
Forty minutes later, I was circling the neighborhood, searching for a parking space. Cars lined the street on both sides, and more cars were parked three deep in some driveways. The area was predominately college students who had either purchased or rented the two-story stucco houses, which varied among three designs.
Ryker’s stuck out like a sore thumb, only because partygoers were streaming into his house while others spilled out or lounged on the porch.
This was a bad idea. With my luck, one of the Sims sisters, or maybe both, were there. After all, it was a party, and my father had just told their mother that the Ryker empire was open for business.
I found a spot a block down and away from campus. Ryker’s house might be the second in line after my dorm, but I had a thirty-minute or more head start.
Once inside, I pushed through groups of people laughing, dancing, and talking over the loud music. The last time I was there, Ryker had been in his room, but something told me to check the kitchen first.
I found Lucas twisting a cap off a bottle of beer. “Haven?” Those tawny-colored eyes bugged out.
Yeah, Ryker had told him about what had happened with my father in my dorm room. Not that I cared. The whole building knew what had happened. I wouldn’t be surprised if their fight made the headlines in the university paper.
“Where is he?” I didn’t have time to chitchat.
“What are you doing here?” Lucas asked.
“Just tell me where he is.”And please don’t tell me he’s screwing some chick because I would go postal on the man.
He flicked his unshaven jaw to the door that led down to the media room. “He’s down there last I knew.”
A hint of weed floated in the air as my feet sank into the shag carpeting at the bottom of the stairs. It was the same carpet Ryker had puked on the night I’d met him, which seemed liked eons ago.
Music spilled from the speakers while a couple made out on an oversized chair near the TV. When I rounded the large square beam, my gaze landed on Ryker, and my heart stopped.
For the second time within an hour, I lost my breath as the emotions my father elicited from me intensified.
Ryker’s head rested on the back of the couch. His eyes were closed, and a faint sound of him snoring tickled my ears. But what had me ready to get arrested was the hunger to send Tabitha Sims to the hospital. She had her head on his chest and one hand on his abs.
I clenched my teeth, my fists, and every muscle in me.
Tabitha batted her blue eyes and stuck out her tongue at me.
Bitch.
