Chapter 4
RHETT
Every time the door to the registration office opens, I can’t help but look. I’ve been waiting close to an hour, and it’s clear the girl’s not going to show.
I didn’t expect her to come, but a part of me still hoped she would.
The guys all think I’m insane, and I’m likely to agree with them. I don’t know what came over me. All I keep thinking is that could’ve been Mia. If Mr. Hayes didn’t help us after our parents died, we could’ve ended up living on the streets.
Evie… fuck, I don’t even know her last name. The second I saw her it felt like the ground opened beneath my feet. She seriously looks like a starving kid. A kid who was about to strip down and clean my fucking house.
A wave of sickening anger slams hard into my gut. What the fuck is wrong with this world that kids live on the street?
I might be a twisted fucker, but I’ll never be able to turn a blind eye to a woman or kid who needs help. Dad taught me that men are stronger for a reason, and it’s to protect women and children.
I get up, not having a fucking clue how I’m going to find Evie. I only know her first name, where she works and that she lives on the fucking street. She wouldn’t tell me anything else about herself, not that I blame her. I would’ve done the same thing if I were in her shoes.
As I walk towards the parking area, I glance across the campus, but there’s still no sign of her. When I get to my car, I feel frustrated with the whole situation.
There’s no way I can just give up, so I decide to drive to the dump she works at. When I get to Double D’s Cleaning Services, I park my car across the street and make myself comfortable. I’ll wait here all day if I have to.
I slouch down in the driver’s seat and make myself as comfortable as possible. I only manage to wait ten minutes before impatience gets the better of me.
“Fuck this,” I growl as I get out of the car and cross the street. I shove the door open and stalk towards the reception counter.
The receptionist seems bored out of her mind until she spots me. Immediately she sits up as a smile spreads across her face. Everything about her looks dried out, from her frizzy hair to her face that’s covered with makeup.
“I’m looking for Evie,” I cut to the chase.
“All the girls are out on calls, but I have a lunch break in twenty minutes,” she says, winking at me.
I ignore the bold offer and let my eyes sweep over the sparse furniture.
“What time will Evie be back?” I ask, and the pissed-off look on my face quickly makes her smile dry up.
“The name doesn’t ring a bell,” she says, probably being a bitch because I won’t give her the time of day.
A man comes out of an office and drops a piece of paper on the reception counter. “Get the sale up on the website,” he barks at the receptionist.
I doubt he’ll be of any help, but it doesn’t stop me from taking a step in his direction. “I’m looking for Evie. She works here.”
He turns to me with an irritated look settling on his face. “I fired her ass. I’m not a pimp so get off my fucking property.”
For a second I’m tempted to punch the sneer off his face, but thankfully I manage to not lose my temper. I don’t spare the door from my anger though, and slam it so hard that the glass vibrates.
What the fuck do I do now?
I’ll have to search the streets for Evie. I won’t stop worrying until I know that kid is safe.
I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Carter’s number.
“You know you missed class, right?” he answers.
“I don’t care,” I say before I get to the heart of the problem. “Evie was a no-show this morning.”
“Who?” he asks, sounding confused.
“That girl from yesterday. Evie,” I say, letting out an impatient sigh.