“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, but she wasn’t feeling well. With the heat, the alcohol made her sick. She was going to rest up.” She follows her confession quickly. Obviously, B wanted some space if Princess is going to lengths explaining, to make sure I don’t head to her place searching out Bethany.
“That’s shitty.”
“She’ll be around once she’s feeling better.”
“Hope so, hate to have to disturb her and all, just to get some time with her.”
“No need. Let her rest, please. Once Bethany’s back, I’ll tell her you wanted to talk to her.”
I watch her closely as I reply, so she knows I’m dead serious on seeing her again. “Bet, appreciate it, I’ll keep my eyes open for her then.”
She nods, and as soon as I leave her be, I watch her take her cell out of her pocket. She types a text quickly and then stuffs it in her back pocket, glancing at me. I meet her eyes straight on, making her turn away immediately.
She knows I saw her type that message, and I’d bet every penny in my wallet she was warning her friend right now that I was looking for her. I just can’t figure out why she’d need to. I thought Bethany and I left things on good terms. One day she was in my room letting me fuck her like a madman and the next she was gone. If anyone’s upset, it should be me. She left me high and dry, not so much as a ‘fuck you, I’m moving.’ Nothing.
Women are confusing to me; they always have been. Should I show up at Viking’s house and surprise Bethany? As much as I want to, it’s probably not a good idea to pop up unannounced and all. She has a kid now; I have to watch how I handle this. The caveman approach Viking used on Princess won’t work for me, as much as I wish that were the case.
I can’t believe she even has a kid. And that I’m still interested in her after all this time as well. Of course, I thought about her randomly over the years, but now that I’ve seen her, it’s like I’ve missed her.
Did I really miss her? How is that even possible? We had a few fun times, nothing to get hung up on. I think it’s the fact that she took off and then years later shows up, kid in tow and isn’t instantly sprung on me like she was in the past. It’s fucking with my head.
“You good?” Exterminator mutters as I post up next to him and survey the people spread out around the compound. All these people here and I’d bet Princess is nice to every damn one of ‘em except me. Wonder if any of these fuckers hit on B?
“Fine.”
“Princess?”
“Damn Ice Queen.” I shrug, and he chuckles to himself.
They find it entertaining that she doesn’t like me. I’m starting to wonder if her little friend has anything to do with that and what the hell Bethany would say to turn Princess against me.
I mean, I never called the bitch after we were together, not like I could anyhow. I didn’t have her number. I could’ve asked Princess for it, but I don’t like people in my shit, and I was attacked by a lion right after that for fuck’s sake. I’m pretty sure lion attack pulls the trump card in anything.
Clearly, I had my own shit to deal with. Bethany would’ve ended up hating me if she would’ve stuck around here anyhow. I was so damn angry after my attack happened, I couldn’t be near a woman anyhow. Not just because I was miserable, but I wouldn’t have let her see me so fucking weak and hurt.
Nobody witnessed my struggle—not a single fucking person from this club. No one knew I went to specialists or spent hours upon hours in physical therapy, choking down orders from some dumb preppy fuck griping at me to ‘keep going.’ Christ, I wanted to kick his goddamn teeth in, but I didn’t. Preppy fuck still has every gleaming white tooth, probably thanks to some rich parents.
It was all so I could get my leg to be in the best condition it could be and ride again. There was no way in hell I was giving up riding for the rest of my life like the doctors wanted. Fuck them and fuck that lion. I overcame the struggle just like I knew I would.
I’m good now, I think. I’ve had years to heal and calm my anger. Now, it’s time I find me a good woman to settle down with. Bethany just doesn’t realize it yet, that it’s gonna be her I choose. She’ll figure it out soon enough, and just like riding, I’ll get what I want.
I won’t stop until I do.
“I don’t believe in magic.”
The young boy said.
The old man smiled.
“You will, when you see her.”
- Atticus
Glancing at my phone, I read the text again for the fifth time since I’ve woken up. My dreams sucked, but I survived as usual. Maybe one day I’ll be able to push the memories so far down that they’ll stop finding me each time I dare to close my eyes.
When you’re abused by someone who you love and is supposed to love and care for you in return, well, it screws you up inside. I’ll never be like everyone else—normal. Probably why Nightmare draws me in so easily; his darkness soothes my own in a sense.