Page 45 of A Little Jaded
“Nothing.”
A short pause follows, and I swear I can hear his confusion through the fucking speaker. “You good?”
“Uh, yeah.” I clear my throat. “Just calling to see how long this shit usually takes.”
“Trouble in paradise?” he quips.
My hand clutches my cell even harder. “Look, are you sure there isn’t someone else who might be better at this?”
Another beat of silence hits, and I shift my phone to my opposite ear.
“What’s the problem, man?” Reeves asks.
“I’m just saying,” I scrub my hand over my face, “I’m not sure if I’m the right guy for this.”
“Why?”
“Because he treated her like shit,” I admit. “He’s done things I would never even think about doing, and…and I dunno. I…I’ve been trying to keep my distance from Raine so I can keep things professional and shit, but…”
“But the situation isn’t quite as black and white as you assumed?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.” I sigh. “I’m used to taking care of everyone, you know? But Raine…the shit she’s been through is…fuck.” I look down at the ground and kick a stray pebble along the driveway. “She’s different, and we’re staying under the same roof, and this isn’t real, and she’s gotta be fucked up after everything, and…and I dunno, I don’t…I’m not sure if this is a good idea.”
“Have you heard from him?” Reeves questions.
“He called last night. Sent a video of Raine having sex with him. Raine wasn’t even surprised. Said he filmed them without her permission in the past and threatened to send it to other people if she left.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “But since she doesn’t want to call the cops, I feel like my hands are fucking tied, man. Like I’m drowning.”
“If you feel like you’re drowning, how do you think she feels?” he counters.
I lower my hand and sigh.
“You have three options. Hang her out to dry and be a dick. Lie low and wait for Drake to either make a move or grow bored enough to leave her alone. Or, we can try to lure him out. Throw a party, make sure he knows about it, then show you aren’t going anywhere, and if he wants to keep bothering her, he’ll have to go through you.”
“The not going anywhere part is fucking with my head, Reeves,” I remind him. “What if I mess this up? What if I’m not here when she needs me? What if, shit, I don’t even know. A million scenarios keep playing through my head, and…and I’m fucking lost, man.”
“Calm down, Everett. It’s gonna be all right. I know your schedule’s full, but Drake plays hockey, too. He’s gonna be as busy as?—”
“Not the fucking point.” I shove my fingers through my hair and tug at the roots. “She needs…she needs help. She needs more than I can give.”
“You’re wrong, Ev,” Reeves murmurs. “I’ve seen you with Fin and Dylan and Lia. How you’re always looking out for them. Making sure they’re safe.”
“They’re different,” I argue.
“How?”
My mouth snaps shut, and I shake my head. I don’t know. I don’t know how they’re different. I did, but the idea of someone filming Fin or Dylan or Lia. The idea of them being threatened by some asshole, let alone being on the other side of their fist? Rage licks through my veins. What if I lose control? What if I fucking kill him? Drake.
Reeves’ gruff voice filters through the speakers and shuts my spiraling thoughts down.
“I wouldn’t pass this off to you if I didn’t think you couldhandle it. If I didn’t know you had plenty to offer,” he murmurs.
“I don’t know about that.”
“I do,” Reeves answers. “Talk to Raine and see which route she wants to take. Maybe you aren’t the only one feeling restless.”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “Sure thing.”
“And, Ev?” he adds.