Page 24 of Prince of Pain
“Just checking. You’ve been a dick lately,” he said lightly. “So, who’s the girl who mauled you?”
“I will beat your face into your skull if you don’t shut up about it,” I threatened, but he gave me a knowing look. He’d flatten me with one hand.
“Sure you will. C’mon, you need to put something on those scratches or they’ll get infected.” I wanted to argue, but I knew he’d drag me if I didn’t go on my own, so I followed him upstairs to the kitchen, rummaging in the cupboard for some ointment. He snatched it from me before I could do anything and leaned past me to grab some alcohol wipes, cleaning the blood gently before applying the ointment as he spoke. “Do you need me to come home for a while?”
“I don’t need babysitting.” I gave him a dirty look, and he gave me one in return.
“I know that. I just thought maybe you’d like some company. Everyone’s so busy around here. Thought you’d just appreciate someone being around.”
That was the last thing I wanted. Then I’d have to drag Maddox to parties, Beckett would start coming too, then I’d never get time to myself.
I loved my family, but they could be overbearing at times.
I couldn’t blame them, they were worried about me relapsing, but I was doing good.
“No offense, but I like being by myself. I appreciate what you’re doing, but don’t. I get twitchy when you guys crowd me,” I mumbled, glancing over my shoulder at him as he finished applying ointment to my shoulders. “Every time I’m with you guys, we end up fighting anyway.”
“That’s because you turn into a dick,” he offered lightly, moving in front of me. “We love you, but you’ve been really hard to be around lately. We push past it because we know you’re dealing with shit and we’re proud of you for that, but you’ve gotta stop swinging at Jett when he’s trying to stop you from making dumb choices, and you can’t keep saying nasty shit to make yourself feel better.”
“You guys don’t get it,” I said with a frustrated huff, my skin tingling with irritation and causing me to flex my knuckles. “Some days, I just need to get high, but I can’t, so I get angrier and angrier until I snap. I know you guys are trying to help but getting in my face about stuff turns me into a raging asshole. I just need you to leave me alone when I’m like that.”
“So last night, Jett should've let you drive? Ry, you could hardly walk.”
“How the fuck do you know? You weren’t there,” I bit out. “You’re always with fucking Beckett.”
“How about we stop talking about this and get in my car? Your car’s still at our place, so we can hang out, then you can come home when you’re ready.”
He was eyeing me like I was a feral cat which just annoyed me more.
“Can I rinse off first? I have dried pussy all over me,” I grunted out, making him crinkle his nose
“You know—” I shot him a look, and he blew out a breath. “Never mind. Go get ready. Don’t get those scratches wet or I’ll have to put more ointment on them.”
I headed up to my bathroom to wash my dick and pull on some fresh clothes, inspecting my chest and back in the bathroom mirror before pulling a shirt on and grabbing my phone.
Ryder: Are you sure you’re okay?
I hadn’t even gotten back to the kitchen before she replied.
Tempest: Never been better. There’s a party tonight if you wanna come?
Ryder: I have plans.
Tempest: You know where I am if you need me.
I loved when she didn’t question what I was doing. Archer swore she didn’t have a mental health disorder, but Tempest’s emotions gave me fucking whiplash.
Some days she was detached from everyone, other days she was clingy as fuck. I guess she was having a good day now that I’d consensually assaulted her.
I didn’t bother replying, sliding my phone into my pocket and halting when I noticed Mom standing in the kitchen talking to Maddox. They both looked over at me and turned silent, telling me they’d been talking about me.
I fucking hated that.
“Let’s go,” I snapped more harshly than intended, not missing the sad look on Mom’s face. Some days when I was struggling, she was the only thing stopping me from driving my damn car off a cliff. I knew she wouldn’t cope with losing another one of us.
She’d freaked when Riley crashed her car while racing illegally eight months ago, so I couldn’t imagine the devastation I’d cause her if something happened to me.
“I’ll be home tonight, Mom.”