Page 14 of Hurts So Good
From the corner of my eye, I see Ty walk away. My heartbeat races. With him gone, I feel even more uncomfortable.
He’s going to come back, right?
“You don’t like it?” Mr. Rylee leans to the side to look at my face.
Avoiding eye contact, I force a smile. “I…I do. It’s…pretty. Thank you.”
“Here. I’ll put it on you.” He wiggles and pulls me closer as if he can’t reach the necklace, but I know he can.
I bite my lip to keep from letting out my internal screams. His cock rubs against the seam of my jeans. I don’t want to be here anymore.
“Let’s move this beautiful hair of yours out of the way.” Mr. Rylee’s fingers caress my neck.
I squeeze my eyes shut, begging for it to be over. The cool metal of the jewelry is like ice against my skin. I want to relax once his hands move away from my neck, but I tense further when his hot breath replaces his fingers.
“Mr.…Mr. Rylee.” Sierra’s voice has my eyes snapping open.
I look up to find her and Ty in the room. The breath I was holding rushes out of me.
“I… I…” Sierra’s teary gaze focuses on Mr. Rylee’s hands on my shoulders. “The drawer is stuck in my room. Can…can you…come upstairs to…to help me fix it?”
“It would seem I have no choice.” Mr. Rylee grabs my waist and guides me to stand.
I step aside as he gets to his feet.
Sierra leads the way upstairs, while Ty clears his throat. He walks over to me and holds out a dandelion freshly picked from the yard.
“Happy birthday, Lakelynn.”
I smile, my earlier discomfort disappearing instantly.
Walking up to him, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Ty.”
CHAPTER NINE
Lakelynn
My racing thoughts keep me tossing and turning all night. Just as it did before when I dreamed of the past, my heart pounds in my chest. I try to summon forth my mantra, but all I can think of is: I can’t do this. I can’t do this.
Feeling the contents of my stomach bubbling up, I run to the bathroom. I just barely make it. Everything within me revolts, emptying into the toilet.
Once it’s over, I lean back against the wall and try to catch my breath. My gaze centers on the cabinet beneath the sink. My thoughts war with themselves, fighting to decide what would be easier: giving in or holding back.
Tears well in my eyes. The urge to pull out a new disposal razor, break out the blades, and run it across my skin is strong. I want to ease the chaos swarming my mind. I miss Ty.
He left me when I needed him most.
Why?
He could have come back for me, and I’d have gladly run away with him. I could have easily lived as an outlaw on the run. I don’t need much. All I needed back then was him.
Now I’m sitting alone on the floor, crying my eyes out and feeling more alone than I have in a while.
My thoughts drift to my stalker. His blue eyes look similar to Ty’s. And the fighter from last night had similar blue eyes too.
I need answers. I don’t want to keep guessing. I’m tired of feeling so lost and alone. Wiping away my tears, I force myself to stand and clean up. The desire to cut is still there, but I try to refocus my attention on what I truly wanted to do this weekend before Lena invited me to the fight: find information on the men in my life.
After showering and getting dressed, I meander into the kitchen. My footsteps falter when I see a bouquet of flowers and money resting on the counter.