Page 53 of Twink Heart

?He clicked his tongue at me. “That’s no way to talk to your boyfriend.”

?“You’re not my fucking boyfriend. And you need to leave.”

?“I just wanted to have a talk, baby. You blocked my messages before I could finish what I was saying. I wanted to explain.”

?“There’s nothing to explain. You’re a dick, a creep, and a manipulative asshole. And I never want to see or hear from you again. End of story.”

He grinned wider, his gaze reaching a level of psychotic I didn't know he was capable of. I felt a tinge of fear. Suddenly being mostly alone in the apartment complex didn't seem like a blessing anymore. I took a few steps back, putting myself at the edge of the parking lot. Ray wouldn't do anything stupid, would he? He couldn't be dangerous, right?

“You're making me kind of mad,” he said, the amused edge in his voice disappearing. “I'm trying to give you a chance to apologize.”

A sound caught my ear, and I glanced to the left. An SUV was coming up the drive. My chest flooded with relief as I realized it was Rowan.

“You better get out of here, Ray,” I said confidently, my smile returning. “Or my real boyfriend is gonna kick your ass. Or maybe I'll do it instead.”

The SUV pulled up behind me into a parking space. But Ray didn't stop. Instead, he just grinned.

“Well, let's see what he thinks about this.”

Before I could take a step back, Ray grabbed my wrist and pulled me right against him, forcing his tongue in my mouth. The taste of cigarettes made me gag, and I pulled away from him, shoving him away from me.

“Get the fuck off me!” I screamed.

Behind me, I heard the SUV door open and a pair of footsteps approach. Ray made a grab for me in my moment of distraction but a hand on my shoulder yanked me out of the way. I watched as Rowan grabbed Ray's wrist, jerked him off balance, and clocked him right upside the face as he began to fall. There was a sickening crunch and Ray fell to the ground, howling in pain. Rowan looked back at me, his eyes filled with hurt and anger.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah,” I nodded.

“Get inside,” he commanded. “I'll take care of this.”

I did as I was told and practically ran to the front door. Once I was inside, I shut and locked it behind me before running to the window to watch and make sure Rowan was okay.

Rowan’s lips moved and although I couldn't hear anything, I could tell by his face they were threats. Ray, on the other hand, had gone from menacing to pathetic in a matter of seconds. Blood streamed down his chin and he could barely get himself off the ground.

Finally, once Rowan was done speaking, Ray dragged himself back to his car and drove off, tires squealing. Rowan stood there for a moment and just when I thought he'd head for the apartment, he went back to his car. He closed the door, sat there for a moment, and started to back out of the parking lot.

I didn't understand what was going on until my phone chimed and I glanced at the message.

Rowan: He's not coming back. Stay inside. I need some time to think.

My heart fell as I realized what had happened. Ray, without knowing it, had just forced Rowan to relive one of the most tragic moments of his life.

And now I wasn't sure if I would see him ever again.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Rowan

Obviously he's been lying. There's no way that James and Ray had been together for weeks. Not when James had been spending every waking moment at my side. So obviously it was a lie, but that didn't stop it from dredging up every bad thing I've been through in the past months.

Even though Ray forced himself on James, seeing them kiss like that reminded me far too much of Mia and the day I caught her cheating on me. I knew James didn’t do it on purpose, but that didn’t mean I’d be able to get that image out of my head either. And Ray wasn’t James’ only ex either. From the way he talked, it sounded like he had dozens of them just milling about. And if they were anything like Ray, they could show up at any time and try to exert their influence over James.

How long could it possibly be until he chose one of them over myself? Ray was attractive, more so than I considered myself. Chances were the rest of them were just as pretty and some of them might even be halfway decent. Meanwhile, I was still some washed up nobody who was not only toting around an incredible amount of emotional baggage, but was now jobless as well with absolutely nothing to offer James except my attention.

?How could that ever be enough for someone as beautiful and perfect as him?

?I felt so unworthy of his care.

?My thoughts spiraled as I drove. I took turns not knowing where the roads led. So, after a while, I was surprised to find myself back at Hardwood Beach completely by accident. Instead of going to the main beach, I took one of the less traveled park roads back to a hiking trail. It wasn’t a place that James and I had been to and judging by the lack of cars in the small dirt parking area, I would have the trail to myself.

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