Bill walks to our end of the bar. “He went outside about 10 minutes ago, looking a little out of it. Some little chick was walking with him.”
My stomach drops and a pit forms in the hole it leaves behind. He left in the middle of a date? When he’d just told me he wouldn’t hurt me? What the fuck?
“That fucking asshole! ‘You’re it for me,’ my ass. FUCK!” I yell. “I can’t fucking believe him!”
I knew this would happen again. I just knew it. I run outside, with Devon following close behind. I scan up and down the block that Rough Mix is on, but I don’t see Connor anywhere. His car is still parked right out front, though.
“Devon, can you drive me back to the house?”
“Sure thing, darlin’.” Devon can see the gears turning in my head. “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on here, but Connor is crazy about you. I don’t think this is what you think it is.”
“Save it, Devon. I’ve seen this before. Many times. I should have known better. He said the right things, but he’s just another asshole.”
I pull out my phone and text Becca.
Me-meet me at my place. Bring boxes.
Becca-WHAT!? That fucking asshole. Be there shortly. I’m bringing my bat.
“Let’s go, Devon. I’m done.” I stomp angrily towards the parking lot. I have no idea where he’s parked, but he catches up and turns me in the right direction.
“You need to believe me, Alex. I don’t know what this is, but Connor is deadly serious about you. He mentioned not being able to lose you again.”
“He should’ve thought of that when he was going off with some random to get his dick wet then, I guess, huh?”
Just then, I hear Ryder calling out for us. “Alex, Devon. Where are you going?”
“Back to the house,” I yell back. “You’re welcome to come with and help me pack.”
“Pack?” He pants as he catches up to us at the truck. “Why are you packing? Just moving into the big house right away? Not even going to wait for the ring, hey? I like it, living in sin is the way to go.”
“No, Ryder. I’m going back to Becca’s. I can’t accept the chef’s position anymore. It’s too complicated with the whole Connor thing. I can’t spend six months being miserable and watch-”
“I keep telling you, Alex,” Devon interrupts. “I really don’t think he’s off fucking that girl. There has to be something else going on.”
“Oh shit! He left with some slut?” Ryder sounds more surprised than Devon. “I can’t even remember the last time he took home a chick. It doesn’t make sense that he would do it now. He’s pretty hung up on you, Alex.”
“Ok, cool, thanks for the input. Now whoever is coming better get in the truck. We need to go. Now. Becca is already on her way to the house to meet me.”
We all get in the truck and Devon reluctantly drives us back to the house. Ryder sits in the back the whole time, trying to puzzle out what the hell Connor was thinking. I wish I understood it too. He promised me, literally tonight, that he wouldn’t hurt me. Didn’t take long for him to break that promise, did it?
It takes way too fucking long to get to the house. It always seemed like it was right in the city when I was admiring nature in the backyard, but this drive makes it seem like we’re going to another planet. Ryder talks the whole way, mostly to himself. I wonder if he’ll still be my friend when I move out? Or if Devon will? I’ve only known these two for a few days, but I’m pretty fond of them already.
I occupy myself with these thoughts until we’re pulling into the property. Right there, pulled up right by the front door, is an unfamiliar car.
“What the fuck? He came here?” Devon looks confused as he hops out of the truck.
Becca pulls in right behind us and jumps out of her car. “He’s here?” She stops and reaches into her back seat, pulling out the baseball bat she brought. “Time to play ball, girl,” she says while tossing it over to me.
“Fuck it,” I mumble, gripping the bat tightly. “Let’s do this.” And then I storm into the house.
My ragtag group of friends follows along behind me while I call out threats to Connor. I’m pretty sure I look like some crazy Harley Quinn wannabe with the way I’m dragging my bat across the walls and doorways. I realize during the search that I actually haven’t been in Connor’s room, so I don’t even know where it is.
“Bedroom?” I snap at Devon, pointing my bat at him.
“It’s the one at the end of the hallway,” he says. “Just please don’t kill anyone with that bat.”
“No one is going to die,” I promise. “At least not at the scene. I’m not responsible for anyone who dies later at the hospital, like a little bitch. CONNOR, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?”
