“It’s in.” He frowned, and I rotated my arm gingerly, nodding in agreement as I forced slow steady breaths through the nose. “So, what the fuck happened last night?”
I rubbed my wrists, pins and needles shooting through my hands. “Would you believe me if I said it was the cat?” I shot him a small smile before my face contorted in pain.
The orange stray was now sitting on my kitchen counter, licking its paw and dragging it over its ear—with total disregard for the situation.
“Was this some fucked-up sex shit?” Tatum asked, glancing around the room.
What the hell was I even supposed to say? Tatum just waited, totally dumbfounded.
“The blonde from the bar last night…” I started.
“What about her?” He asked, his expression perplexed.
“Apparently, she likes it rough.” I joked.
“Seriously?”
I shook my head in disbelief. “No. She, uh, she drugged me.”
Tatum blinked. “Drugged you?!”
I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck where I’d felt the prick. “Is there a mark?” I asked, leaning against the kitchen table as I turned.
He came around and looked. “I don’t know, I can’t tell.” Feeling weak, I slumped back in the chair. “What the hell happened? She robbed you, or?”
“I guess she must have seen my car and figured I had money.” I shrugged indifferently. “She had two guys with her.”
“This is so fucked up, man. They didn’t have to trash the place. Just grab the valuables and leave, you know.” Then Tatum groaned. “I’m guessing you haven’t even seen your car.” I winced, waiting. “It’s beat to shit. Like some real Carrie Underwood shit.”
I stared at him.
“You know?” He asked, and I shook my head no. He reluctantly sang a bar for me. “Dug my key into his car…” He waited, and then rolled his eyes and sang another line. “Carved my name…”
“Carrie Underwood fan, huh?” I teased.
“Jillian likes that crap, okay? It’s not my fault, and besides, her range is—it’s like really good.” I wondered if he was impersonating Jillian as he said it. Tatum shook his head, disbelieving he’d even admitted that. “But yeah, your car is definitely in bad shape.” My head popped up in realization. Finally, something was going my way. “Why the hell do you look so happy about it?”
“The Tesla has cameras around the whole thing.”
“Fuck yeah.” Tatum threw a fist into the air in triumph. “But seriously, let’s get you to the hospital first. You looklike absolute shit.” He grinned. “I’ll even give you door-to-door service, like a gentleman.” His grin dropped when I faltered as I stood. Tatum lunged and grabbed my good arm, looping it around his neck to support me. “You gonna be okay?” He asked, worry crinkling his brow.
“Yeah, I think so.” I panted.
He nodded. “Note to self, don’t piss off a dirty blonde.”
“I thought Jillian was blonde.” I mused.
“Exactly.” He muttered.
CHAPTER 21
But I’m a Nice Guy
SARAFINA
I sent one more follow-up text, but I never did get a text back from Carter that following week, so I finally decided to let it go. Let him go.
I didn’t know why he was suddenly ignoring me after being so sweet on the phone, but I didn’t have the energy to overthink it, because I was busy using every ounce of energy, I did have to drag that damn paint bucket around campus.
