Page 86 of Selfless

Ashlyn steps up to her, and I see her fist her right hand, but it’s like in slow motion. She pulls it back and then swings, connecting with Vicki’s jaw. Her head snaps back as I call out Ashlyn’s name. I’m running for her when she hits her again.

I connect with Ashlyn’s back, and I can’t stop my momentum due to my drunkenness, and we go crashing to the ground.

“You fucking bitch!” Vicki screams as she gets up off her ass beside us. Ashlyn had hit her so hard it knocked her to the ground.

I try holding Ashlyn down.

“Ryder …” She snaps at me and then elbows me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me, and I roll off her, feeling I may vomit due to alcohol and getting hit in the stomach. She’s up on her feet the next moment and has a hold of Vicki’s hair. She yanks it back as Vicki lets out a scream.

My father comes out of nowhere and rips them apart. He holds Vicki as Jaycent grabs Ashlyn.

“I’m gonna kill you!” Vicki yells at her.

“I’d like to see you try,” Ashlyn growls back, trying to fight off Jaycent, but he has a good grip on her.

I manage to stand but sway on my feet. “What the hell is going on?” my father demands.

“This whore is attacking me!” Vicki cries.

Ashlyn throws her head back, laughing. “Whore? Honey, between the two of us, you’re the one who has spread their legs for both Ryder and Jaycent.”

“Is that true?” Becca asks, looking at Jaycent.

Vicki smiles, knowing exactly what she’s done. Jaycent lets go of Ashlyn and turns to face Becca. “It was a long time ago—”

“Don’t lie, baby,” Vicki interrupts him. “It was right before Becca moved back …”

“Enough!” my father orders. He lets go of her and turns to face her. “Leave!” he orders Vicki.

“But …”

“Vicki, get out of here now!” he snaps.

Blood runs down her lip, and I can see her eyes already starting to swell. She takes a few deep breaths and then throws a “fuck you” look at Ashlyn before turning around and storming off.

My father turns to face us, taking in a deep breath himself. “I think it’s time you all leave as well.”

I reach out to Ashlyn, but she yanks her arm away from me before I can get a hold of it. And then she too storms off with Becca right behind her.

My father straightens his tie and turns to face me and Jaycent. “I hope you guys have learned a lesson.”

“What would that be?” I can’t help but laugh. They don’t.

“To keep your fucking dicks in your pants!” he snaps.

ASHLYN

I sit on the floral-patterned couch back at the house. The plastic on the floor by my feet. Becca sits next to me, and Jaycent sits on the floor in front of us cross-legged.

“I’m sorry, Becca,” he says for the millionth time.

She shrugs. “I can’t really be mad at you. I was with Conner before I moved back.”

“Yeah, but I should have told you.” He sighs.

Becca looks over at me. “Do you think Ry is okay?”

I snort. “He’s passed out cold. I put a trash can by the bed and made sure he was on his side just in case he pukes.” I’m so pissed at him. His attitude tonight and how much he had to drink. What was he thinking?

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