I take a few minutes and explain the whole situation to the best of my ability. I still don’t remember all the details clearly. I can see how women wouldn’t want to come forward after being raped. It’s hard enough for a person when people don’t believe you, even when you can remember all the details. Having a spotty memory seems like it would make it that much harder to convince people of what happened. Victim blaming is such utter bullshit. I don’t even know how I would feel now if my friends hadn’t been there to stop her last night.
“Ok, so what I’m hearing is, you went out with Alex, some bitch drugged you, and then Alex followed y’all home and beat the crap out of her?” He doesn’t seem too concerned. It’s kind of freaking me out. I was expecting a swift punch to the face, not whatever this is.
“Yes, sir. Alex thought I was cheating on her with the crazy chick and she pulled her off of me and basically beat her senseless. I didn’t see her after the fact, but apparently the chick looked like something out of a horror movie once they pulled Alex off of her. And then Alex packed up and moved out before the cops even showed up.”
“That’s my girl,” he laughs. “Where is she now?”
“I’m not sure. She has her phone turned off right now. But our friend Ryder is with her. He says she’s been drinking since last night. She was already drunk, or still drunk, when he got there this morning.”
“Whiskey, straight from the bottle?” he asks.
“Apparently.”
“Yeah.” he barks out a laugh. “She’s real pissed off, kid. Best to let her calm down a bit before you try to talk too much.”
“Ryder says she won’t even talkaboutme yet. He’s not pushing her, just letting her vent I guess.”
“Hey guys,” Devon yells out from downstairs. “Ryder says we need to get to Alex’s place now. He’s bringing her back from the doctor’s office. She broke her hand or something.”
Mike looks over at me. “You weren’t kidding about her doing a number on that other girl. Let’s get over there and see how she’s feeling. She might look a little more kindly on you if I come along too.”
We both get up and walk downstairs to where Devon is waiting for us.
“I’m assuming you know where she is?” I ask Mike. “Want to ride with us?”
“Good one, kid. I didn’t know you were in such awful shape that you couldn’t walk next door.”
My jaw drops to the floor. She’s been living next door, off and on, for the entire time I’ve been coming here?
Chapter 52
Alex - It’s a Trap
“Ialready told you, Ryder. I’m fine.” He insists on coming up to the apartment with me instead of just dropping me off when he drives me home from the Doctor’s office. “I can handle having a cast on my hand. It’s not like I won’t be able to do anything at all.”
“I understand that, babe,” he says, walking with me to the door of the building. “But you’re still drunk and I’d rather not have you hurting yourself more because you can’t fully feel the pain that you’re in yet.”
“Gah, fine. Come on up.” After he told me about how I stopped an attempted rape last night, I just wanted some time to myself to figure this out. I guess it’s good that I won’t be charged with assault. But I really thought Connor had cheated. That’s a rollercoaster of emotion that I can’t just erase.
“I knew you’d see it my way.” He gives me a little side hug. “You’re going to love having me as your friend and nurse today. I’ll even wipe your ass if you need it.” He winks at me.
“Eww, gross.” I laugh. “I think I can manage that with my left hand, thanks.”
“Well, the offer stands. Just let me know what you need from me.”
I give him my keys. “Just unlock the door. That’ll be good for now.”
“You got it, babe.” He lets us into the apartment and my nose is assaulted with the smell of stale whiskey and cigarette smoke.
“Wow, I really tried to turn this place into a bar last night, didn’t I? Do me a favour and open the windows?” I walk over and grab the cigarettes from the coffee table, pulling one out of the pack and placing it in my mouth. I grab the lighter and try to light it left-handed, but I’m not that coordinated, apparently. Ryder laughs and comes over to light it for me.
“You’ll be rethinking that ass wiping offer soon, I think.”
“No way you’re getting near her ass, dude.”
I snap my head over to the door where Pops, Devon, and Connor are standing.
“Whoopsie. Guess I forgot to lock that when we came in.” Ryder doesn’t look guilty at all. I’m pretty sure he didn’t lock it on purpose.
