Page 12 of A Little Jaded
Granted, he hit me because I was trying to break up with him, so it’s not like things were perfect until the incident. But still. Before, I felt like I could end things if I could scrounge up the courage to leave despite the inconveniences accompanying said decision. And yes, I know how ridiculous it sounds. Convenience has kept me here for so long it’s laughable. Well, convenience and empathy and memories of when things were better, along with the hope they could be better again if I simply…waited. Joke’s on me, I guess. I’m so ingrained in every piece of his life that I really shouldn’t have been surprised when he refused to let me go. When he not only threw a fit but hit me, then threatened to kill himself if I even thought about leaving him again. The reminder makes it hard to breathe. Hard to keep my fake smile in place as I stare at his hand engulfing mine. I glance at the flowers again and let out a soft breath, forcing my lungs to work.
Why’d you have to get me flowers, Drake? Why’d you have to make me second-guess everything? Again. Flowers don’t exactly fix it all. But he’s trying. I was terrified about what would happen after my first encounter with Everett and his bold-faced lie. Instead of ripping my head off, Drake told me he trusted me. It was…strange. Seeing a glimpse of the man I fell for. But instead of finding it comforting, it’s dizzying trying to keep up with him and his mood swings. Like if I’m patient enough, he’ll come back. Drake will come back. My Drake. Not this stranger I sleep next to.
“What do you think?” he prods. “You said you love me, remember?”
“I do.”
“Good. I love you, too. Fuck, I’d die without you, Raine. You know I would.”
“I know,” I whisper.
“I know you do.” He smiles and kisses my hand again when my phone rings in my purse.
As if it’s personally offended him, Drake scowls at my purse hanging off my shoulder. “Who is it?”
“I don’t know.” My nerves kick up a notch until I remember I never gave Everett my number. I only have his. It’s fine. “Let me check.” Slowly, I open my purse and find my phone.
“Who is it?” he demands again without even giving me a chance to read the name on the screen.
A familiar picture greets me. Weathered face. Tan skin. Crinkles around his eyes. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen him and my mom. Penelope, my older sister, moved away when she got married a few years ago, and Dodger, my older brother, is busy touring the country with his band. But my parents? They don’t live very far away, yet I haven’t really seen them in…a few months now? How is that even possible? Shame licks at my gut, and I suck my lips between my teeth as I stare at the photo.
“Raine?” Drake demands.
“It’s my dad.”
“Of course it is.” He chuckles darkly. “He always calls at the worst fuckin’ times.” Unmuting the television, he turns back to the game and grabs a chip from the bag while I sit onthe arm of the couch and send the call to voicemail. I shouldn’t. I’ve avoided him for too long, but the idea of facing him, of showing him who his little girl turned into and all of the shitty decisions she’s made despite his and my mom’s awesome parenting, let alone the consequences which could follow if they found out about everything?
No, thank you. Not until I can figure out how to get out of this.
I let out a slow, unsteady breath, stand, tuck my phone into my back pocket, and wipe my sweaty palms against my jeans. “I’m going to shower. I’ll be out in a few.”
“Uh-huh.”
CHAPTER SIX
RAINE
Cars line both sides of the street as Drake finds a place to park. We’re in a neighborhood. A random neighborhood so far outside of Cedar Springs’s city limits it’s not even funny. Drake invited four of his friends to join us, though they drove separately, leaving me as the lone girl. It isn’t the first time, but knowing we’re deep in Lockwood Heights territory doesn’t exactly leave me feeling relaxed. Not after the last time I was here. Not after Everett tracked me down at work and offered to help me. Not when I know how much Drake hates LAU and everything about its small town.
So, what are we doing here?
“Come on.” Drake pushes the driver’s side door open, climbs out, and rolls his shoulders in his black T-shirt and leather jacket while staring at the house in front of us. It’s a duplex. A really big, duplex. With red brick, cream stucco, huge windows, and a large tree out front. One side is dark, and there’s a huge dumpster out front, making me wonder if it’s being renovated or something. The other side? It’s practically spilling over with bodies despite the cold temperature.The door might as well be propped open with how many people move from outside to inside and back again. The blinds are all open, and the windows are glowing, giving everyone on the street front-row seats to dancing, laughing, and cups raised in the air.
Yeah. This is definitely where the party is.
Slipping his arm around my waist, Drake guides me up the driveway, and his friends meet us at the front porch, each of them flanking his sides as we step over the threshold. Why does this feel like a test? Something lodges in my esophagus, and I wipe my sweaty palms on my thighs.
Something is up. Something is definitely up.
I peek at Drake.
What game are you playing?
No one notices when we enter. Why should they? It’s a party. A huge party, packed to the gills. So why am I freaking out right now?
“Johnny, get us some drinks,” Drake orders. Johnny St. James. The Grizzlies’ center.
Slipping through the crowd, Johnny heads toward the back of the house without a word. This place is nice. And big. A set of stairs hugs the right wall, and a family room takes up the majority of the left. A kitchen is tucked in the back, while a hallway hides behind the stairs. White walls. Tall ceilings. The scents of cheap beer and fancy perfume permeate the air.