Page 31 of Acid

He charges at me, and I sidestep him and spin around, managing to connect my elbow with the back of his head, making him grunt before I slam my foot in his back, forcing him into the ropes.

I can feel my back sweat along with my palms, my heart pounding as I get ready for the so-called “destroyer” to get a grip on himself, to realize I’m playing with him, needing for him to fight harder, to at least get a punch in, to help me forget.

He slept with her.A week after he slept with me, he slept with the girl who forced her way into my life, pretending to be my friend, all while trying her hardest to convince my mother to leave my father for hers.

He slept with Andrea….

Bile rises again with the complete pain that shadows me, and I run to the “destroyer”, and pounce, my fist hitting his nose.

I sigh, looking at the house I grew up in. For four years, I’ve allowed my mother to continue living here, knowing it’s her home. But for four years, I’ve been the one who has had to pay the gas and water bills, for people to keep up with the lawn, and it stops today.

I can’t afford it anymore, and I need to sell it so Cass and I have a backup plan, well, that’s if she ever calls me. Maybe I can put some money into the gym, too.

Whether I keep it, though, that’s another story.

Maybe I can sell that and go traveling, find my sister….

I squeeze the steering wheel and look at my knuckles. My skin is all torn, and the tape did not work as well last night as it should have.

After spending a night drinking with Nat and spilling my guts, I spent the next three nights at the Fight, winning over 10k, which went straight into the gym.The new ring arrived this morning.

I look at the house again, before taking a deep breath.

I really don’t want to go in there.

Sighing, I climb out of the Mustang, my eyes going to Andrea’s yellow Fiat. I roll my eyes and walk to the front door, unlocking it with my key before entering the front room.

Mom and Andrea look my way from the gray couch, and I raise my brow at Andrea’s tears.

I haven’t spoken to her since she tried to start an argument with me a few days ago. I was minding my own business at work when she stormed in, complaining about how much of a shitty daughter I was.

It was laughable, and I just walked away.

“Hey, sweetie,” Mom says, her arm firmly over Andrea’s shoulder, and I flinch at the nickname.

Since Dad died, she’s started calling it me, and I’m ready to deal with that.

Trying to temper my anger, I sigh heavily and say, “Mom, I need a minute alone with you, please.”

Andrea sniffles, burrowing into Mom, making me roll my eyes while mom says, “Unfortunately not, you can see Andrea is upset….”

Of course, Andrea comes first as always. Damn, I sound bitter.

I raised a brow. “Really? Why now?”

Mom clears her throat, squeezing Andrea to her before she says, “She and Acid have been sleeping together, Perrie. She’s upset because she’s worried that you’ll hate her, knowing about your crush on him.” Everything in me freezes as my mom, my flipping mother, continues to stand by someone who isn’t her daughter while I crumble inside, no not crumble, completely die. “Look, sweetie,” I finch again, “I understand you’ve known Acid longer, that you have a crush on him, but you are keeping them both apart. He says he can’t have a relationship, not wanting to hurt you, and I’m sorry, but that’s just selfish of you, and I didn’t raise you that way.”

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to punch someone so badly in my life, and that’s saying something, considering I stabbed both my rapists in their cocks.

I snort, trying to hide my pain, and say, "Funny because you didn’t raise me at all, Dad did." Her eyes widen, and I sneer, “And stop calling me sweetie. That’s Dad's nickname, not yours.”

Andrea smirks as Mom stands and snaps, “Perrie, I know you're probably hurt about this, but please, you’re hurting Andrea and Acid.”

I look at her with a mixture of shock, hurt, and anger, all while the girl who forced her way into my life to split my parents up grins.

And I’m done.

With a nod, I turn and walk out.

---