Page 73 of Fighting the Odds

“What the hell is going on?” Her words are muffled from where I have her face pressed against my chest.

“Let’s go inside and we’ll tell you. Rico is on the way.”

She pulls away from me, stomping her foot as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“Why is he on the way? I’m not a child. Somebody better tell me what the hell was in that text or you can all go.” She turns and storms off to her apartment, rifling through her book bag before pulling out her keys and unlocking the door.

“She’s been trying to see it the whole ride here. I didn’t know how she’d react, and I wasn’t going to let her see it at school. They’d eat her alive the minute she reacted to it,” Zander says, as he steps up to me.

“Well, let’s go handle our girl. Otherwise, we’ll all be in the doghouse. Her uncle is on the way.” I can’t help but laugh when all the guys turn white at that piece of information. That’s right, the three of you are about to meet the parental.

“Shit.” Braxton’s voice is full of fear and dread, and just above a whisper. I doubt he realizes he’s said it out loud.

When we open the door to the apartment and step inside, Sierra is pacing the floor, mumbling something about men being the death of her.

I take a deep breath and make my way over to her, stepping in her path.

“Baby, sit down and I’ll show it to you. But I want to tell you a few things first. It’s of you and a man having sex. His voice is altered and you can’t see his face. It’s the video of the night you can’t remember,” I tell her calmly as I lead her over to the couch and we sit down. Braxton takes a seat on the chair and Zander sits down on the other side of her while Colton stands sentinel behind the couch.

Each of us here, ready to be her shoulder to lean on.

Pulling out my phone, I open the message strand with the video and hand it to her.

She takes the phone from me and presses play. The minute the sound comes on I cringe, knowing she’s about to see the worst night of her life play out in front of her.

Her hands shake as she holds the phone, but she never looks away. Her face goes white and her lip trembles as tears well up in her eyes, breaking free and rolling down her cheeks. Sierra doesn’t even attempt to wipe them away.

She doesn’t say anything and we don’t either.

Zander hesitantly reaches out several times to place his hand on her shoulder in comfort, but stops short each time. I know he’s wondering if she even wants to be touched after what she’s watching.

When she’s done, her hands fall to her lap and she sits there, not moving, not speaking, just staring into space.

I scoot closer to her, my arm grazing hers, and she doesn’t respond.

I can feel her body shaking against mine as she sobs softly.

My heart is aching for my girl. She should not be going through all this.

The front door flies open, slamming against the wall, causing us all to jump to action. But not Sierra. It’s as if she’s not phased, lost in her own world.

“What’s fucking wrong with her?” Rico’s angry voice questions when he catches sight of Sierra. “What happened?”

I nod for one of the guys to take my place as I stand and step over to Rico.

“Come with me,” I whisper. There’s no way I’m playing that video in front of her again, and I already know he’s not going to respond well to it.

“I asked a motherfuckin’ question. What’s wrong with Sierra?” Each word is louder than the next. His eyes are dark and jaw clenched as he stares at Sierra’s broken form.

I step closer into his space, standing toe to toe with him as I look sternly into his eyes. “I told you to come with me. There’s something I need to show you and Sierra doesn’t need to be subjected to it again. I’d also lower your voice and that tone.”

I stand firm, ready for his fist to come flying my way, but it doesn’t.

“Fine,” he growls through gritted teeth.

With a nod, I turn and head down the hallway toward Sierra’s room. Rico follows close behind, his heavy steps pounding on the floor.

Once we’re inside Sierra’s room, he pushes the door, but doesn’t let it close all the way.

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