She didn’t answer.
I tried Lisa again.
And then desperation set in. I was cold, my buzz was starting to make me sway more on my feet, and a little voice inside me said that if I tried to walk back to campus I’d probably end up in the Sound face down with a belly full of water.
Shit, I was in a dark place.
I dialed Wes’s number.
He answered on the first ring.
“Gabe?”
“I need a ride.” I fought to keep the slur from my voice.
With a heavy sigh he answered, “Where you at?”
“Club by the school, uhh…” I started laughing hysterically. “Shit, I don’t know, why don’t you just ask NASA? You’re the great Wes Michels right? Screw it, I don’t need you.”
I pressed end and stumbled toward the sidewalk and fell on my ass, leaning my head on my knees.
The images kept flashing. First the blood, next the cameras going off and the reporters. God, the reporters. I’d freaked. I’d lost it in front of them.
Minutes went by, maybe an hour, who knew… and then I heard a horn honking and headlights in my face.
I put my hand up to block the light but it didn’t help.
Footsteps neared. I still couldn’t see.
And then a fist came flying for my jaw. I hit the pavement so hard I could have sworn one of my teeth fell out of my mouth.
“Get up, asshole.”
Wes? Did he just punch me in the face? And call me an asshole? I tried to laugh but my jaw hurt too damn bad.
“I said—” Wes grabbed me by my shirt and lifted my limp body off the ground. “Get. The. Hell. Up.” Another punch came, and then thankfully I blacked out.
Maybe if I prayed hard enough — I’d stay there, in the darkness. Maybe then my sins would be atoned for.
Chapter Thirteen
The dude was hostile, as if he was pissed that I was even sitting at his table let alone breathing on his plate. What was his problem? I could only imagine that all the piercings had damaged his brain cells — that is, if he was still in full possession of any. —Saylor
Saylor
“So, he’s…” I nodded then briefly looked away so I didn’t appear to interested, or curious, or creepy “Abrasive?” Lisa and I had gone into her bedroom and were sorting out what the schedule would look like for the remainder of the weeks we had to work at the place of our choice for at least sixty hours in order to earn a passing grade.
“That’s Gabe.” She laughed. “I promise he’s harmless.”
“Harmless?” I repeated in a mocking voice. Right, because all those tattoos and piercings matched with those killer eyes really screamed harmless.
Lisa closed her notebook and shrugged. “I swear he’s not as bad as he looks. He’s just… different, that’s all. Kind of had a rough life and all.”
“Please.” I snorted, hoping I didn’t sound like I was fishing for more information.
Lisa’s face fell as if I’d just slapped her.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I don’t mean to be judgmental but, it’s just… life’s hard, you know? It’s what you make it.”