“Brooke’s dad. I had to go pick up my daughter and your sister tonight, while you were counting sheep.”
Oh, no, no, no! I thought she was doing better. We had a long talk about the fact that I can’t be worrying over her and this rebellious stage. I need to focus on work and providing for us. Since she has been here for a few weeks, without giving me any problems, I never thought she and her friend would sneak out. Heck, I baked cookies with them tonight before bed. We did face masks, painted nails, and all that teenage girl sleepover stuff.
Brooke seemed like a nice enough girl, making me feel like they would behave. How did they leave? Why did they leave?
“Are they okay?” I ask as my anxiety rises.
“No,” he barks out at me.
Tears pool behind my eyes. My sister is misunderstood. She has lived her entire life in my shadow with impossible parents who have unrealistic expectations. Not only have I failed her, but now Brooke, too.
“Get your ass over to my house. Madyson was slipped something. I have my doctor coming over to check her out, but she is gonna want you when she starts comin’ around.” Before I can reply, he disconnects the call.
Well, asshole, I would come over, but I don’t know where you live. My phone pings with a text of his address and gate code before I can let my thoughts further consume me.
Pulling up to the house, I see it is far from modest. Not as big as my parents yet certainly more welcoming. First impressions would say this is a family home. I would envision a businessman in a suit living here, a far cry from what I know I will find.
When I reach the front door, I don’t even have to ring the bell as the door is opened by another guy in a leather vest I have never seen before. His strong jawline and stern face let me know he is not the welcoming committee.
“Hammer, send her back. No time for her to ogle the damn house,” I hear the voice of my nightmares yell out.
I roll my eyes, and the guy who is apparently Hammer smiles at me. “I wouldn’t do that around Ice if I were you.”
“Who is Ice?” I find myself asking in a whisper. I met the guy with the patch ‘Ice’ briefly the night he dropped Madyson off, but I am not sure who he is exactly.
“Brooke’s dad. He doesn’t much like it when she rolls her eyes. As cute as you are, he won’t take that shit from you, either.”
Involuntarily, I roll my eyes again. This causes Hammer to laugh, and for some reason, it relaxes me. He is a guy I am sure I should be seriously afraid of, but in this moment, my fears and insecurities are wrapped up in a dad that goes by the name of Ice. Shaking my head, I try to push aside all my thoughts while I follow Hammer inside to find my sister.
“How is Madyson? What happened? They were in bed when I went to my room, I swear,” I ask frantically as I make my way farther into the house.
“She was roofied at a party they apparently snuck out and went to. We got the doc to check her out. It has to pass through her system. She’s gonna feel like shit for the next day or so, but no long term effects. Brooke knew something was wrong and called her dad, and we went and picked them up. Follow me, they’re back in the guest suite.”
The sounds coming from the room let me know someone is seriously sick. Oh, Madyson, what did you get yourself into?
Entering the room, it is something from a magazine or an advertisement. The room that Hammer called the guest suite on the bottom floor gives off an upscale hotel feel rather than the cozy comforts of home vibe. My sister is lying in a bed, puking into a trashcan that Brooke is holding while visibly trying not to puke herself. The sight would be funny if the situation were not so serious.
“Yack it up. Remember every fucking minute of this. When you two think of pulling some shit like this again, remember tonight. Remember the fear, remember the sickness, and remember the punishment,” Ice is barking out at the two girls. “Because this is far from over. You both are grounded. I don’t give a shit if you aren’t mine, Madyson. Your sister obviously isn’t equipped to tackle you, so I’m gonna handle it for her.”
“Excuse me,” I interrupt sharply. “How about I talk to the girls to find out what happened? Then I can determine an appropriate punishment.”
“Or how about you sit your pretty little ass on the other side of that bed with your sister and let me make sure these two think twice before they do this again?”