Page 41 of Losing a Piece of Me

“We’ve called your parents, they’re on their way now. They’ve offered to pay for the sign you defaced.”

“I didn’t do it.”

His brow lifts and his eyes fall to my hands in my lap. They are covered in red spray paint.

“Uh-huh.” He scoots away from the table and leaves me sitting alone.

I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here, but my parents finally come inside. My mother is beside herself, blaming Striker for everything, even though I’m the one covered in paint. He didn’t lift a finger. She doesn’t want to hear it though. My father pays for the sign and as we’re walking out, I see Striker.

He’s sitting in a chair, in his own room. His face is covered with anger. His jaw is set, chest puffed out, and his eyes are intently watching something. I’m only looking through a crack, so I can’t see who he’s staring at.

Suddenly, I see a hand fly toward his face. His head slings sideways from the force of the hit. Other than that, he doesn’t move. Blood starts to trickle from his lip.

My heart is pounding in my chest so hard I can hear it in my ears. My feet start walking on their own.

Someone grabs my arm, but I push them away as my feet move faster. I have to get to him.

I shove through the door and rush to his side. Suddenly, everything changes. He’s not angry and brooding anymore, he’s in protection mode. I touch his face. “Are you okay?”

“He’s fine. I think you’re in enough trouble tonight.”

I spin around to see Ken.

His own father punched him. I know we’re in trouble, but he can’t be this mad.

“I’m sorry,” my dad says to Ken as he grabs ahold of my arm, trying to pull me back.

I shake free and run to Striker to wipe the blood from his lips and something exchanges between us. He wants me to go, but I can’t leave him. Not knowing if his dad will do worse things when they get home.

“Alexis, let’s go.” my father tries again.

I don’t respond. Instead, my eyes stay locked with his. All I see is him. All I feel is him. It’s only me and him.

“I think maybe it isn’t my boy causing all the problems after all. It looks like you need to discipline your daughter,” Ken tells my father.

“Alexis!” he shouts.

The sudden loud noise makes me jump. I look at him. His mouth is drawn into a straight line, causing wrinkles to form on his face. I turn back to Striker.

“It’s okay, Lex. Just go.”

I shake my head. I can’t leave him.

He puts his hands on my shoulders and gently walks me back, toward my dad. “Please, go.” He’s pleading with me, and I can’t deny him.

I nod and my dad pulls me from the room. My eyes sting with tears from not knowing what kind of trouble Striker is really in.

I wake with a sudden jerk. Striker jumps awake next to me. “What’s wrong?” Fear is in his eyes as he watches me.

“I’m sorry.”

His brows furrow together. “For what?” His voice is calm and collected even though every one of his hard muscles is rigid and tense.

“For everything. For letting your dad beat on you, for not doing anything to stop it.”

He lets out a breath and pulls me closer. “There is nothing you could’ve done, Lex.”

“I could have told someone, but I didn’t because I needed you too much. I let you get beat all because I’m a scared little girl and couldn’t live without you.” Tears stream down my cheeks.

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