A Day of Ruin

Chapter 15

Harlow

“Whatthefuck?!”

My eyes shot open as I gasped, my head snapping towards the angry voice.

There, standing behind us was Dex. And fuck, I had never seen him so angry.

Bryson stepped back, but for someone who didn’t like confrontation, I was surprised to see him straighten up and harden as he stared back at Dex too.

Dex’s angry green eyes found me, his hands balled into fists as he stood shaking. Grocery bags lay spilled at his feet, and a small wave of panic flooded through me as he stepped closer to us.

“Who the fuck is this?” he asked, his hot gaze turning to Bryson.

Bryson glared back at him, the two of them staring each other off as the tension grew to dangerous levels.

I stepped in front of Bryson, shielding him as I looked at Dex.

“He’s my friend. I don’t have to explain anything to you.”

Indignation flashed in Dex’s eyes as he found mine again.

“It’s my apartment, Harlow! You can’t just bring random people over.”

My mouth dropped over as I blinked at him.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I yelled, my own anger making an appearance. “You literally had your girlfriend here, only days ago. And NEWS FLASH, it is not just your apartment, I am still on the lease!”

“For now! Aren’t you leaving apparently?”

I recoiled as if I had been slapped, the tone of his question more accusatory rather than a statement.

“Yeah.... then you won’t have to worry, will you?” I spat back, as I turned to Bryson. “I’m so sorry. Please, keep the shirt.”

Bryson’s eyes slowly lowered from Dex as he looked at me in concern. “I can stay if you want. I’ll cancel my meetings.”

I shook my head, lowering my voice as I gave him a forced smile. “I’ll be fine. I’m sure we’ll catch up again soon.”

He looked back up, his face instantly hardening as he stared off with Dex again. He slipped the light blue shirt I had handed him over his body, buttoning it up without looking down once. I was happy to see it fit him well, easing my guilt about the coffee and Dex situation.

Bryson slipped back into the bathroom, flicking off the tap as he wringed out his shirt and grabbed his suit jacket. He levelled with me, still sending daggers at Dex as he lowered his voice.

“You can call me anytime, you know that right? I mean it.”

I smiled, giving him a reassuring nod. “Thank you. I’ll be okay. You better go before Mr Reynolds and Skylar get mad.”

His eyebrow twitched in surprise but he nodded, reaching down to give my hand a little squeeze before slipping past. I watched with bated breath as the two of them tensed up, sizing each other up as Bryson passed to head to the front door. He hesitated at the door, his hand on the handle as he looked back at me, his gaze shifting between the two of us. I swear I could almost see a warning glare as he looked at Dex. Slowly, he closed the door leaving the two of us alone in the apartment.

The click of the door was like a pin being pulled on a grenade. The silence hung in the air and I trembled slightly from the adrenaline of the interaction, desperate to get to my room. I couldn’t stand to look at him, my anger was driving me wild. I was itching to scream at him, or something. The very thought of being near him made my blood run cold. I hated him. He hated me. This was just a sadistic fucking situation.

Taking a deep breath, I straightened to full height, feigning confidence as I began to walk to my room. I was ready to strut into my room and slam the door to show my own authority.

At least that was the plan before Dex grabbed me by the waist, swinging me around wildly until my back found the closest wall.

I yelped as my back hit the wall hard, my fake confidence vanishing as I stared up at Dex.

“What the hell is your problem?” I stuttered out, acutely aware that he was pinning me to the wall with his hands.

Dex growled in frustration, his fingers digging into my soft skin harder. “I’m getting really sick of you asking me that.”

A pained cry tumbled out of my mouth. The sound must have registered with him because his fingers eased up and he took a step back.

“You don’t get to make the rules,” I said, finding my confidence again. “You don’t get to have your friends and girlfriend over, but not let me have mine. You don’t even know what was happening-”

“I saw enough!” he spat, cutting me off.

Against my wishes, a tear escaped and slipped down my cheek. “Why do you even care?” I asked.

He paused, his breath stuttering as he tried to find an answer.

“I don’t know...” he answered honestly.

“Why is it so hard to just let people like me? Do you really hate me that much?” My voice cracked and despite my best attempts, more angry tears escaped.

Dex let go and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Yes! ... no... I don’t know,” he finished.

I glared at him, blinded by hot tears and my resolve cracked. I shoved my hands against his chest hard, sending him stumbling back as I caught him off guard.

“Fuck you!” I snapped, his eyes widening in surprise at my sudden change in tempo. “Fuck you, Dex,” I repeated.

My hands shot up to push him again but this time he was ready for me, catching them in his own as he restrained me.

“Get off!” I screamed, thrashing about as I pulled against him trying to free my hands. “I hate you! I FUCKING HATE YOU!”

Dex ripped me forward by my hands, causing me to crash into his chest. I fought back, throwing my weight back and forth to dislodge his grip as more incoherent violent words spewed from my mouth.

The two of us, tangled together moved across the room and a rush of pride filled me when Dex’s back slammed into the adjacent wall. Though I knew in my mind that he hadn’t used his full strength against me, that he hadn’t hurt me even though he acted like he wanted to.