Page 37 of Acid

Oh, so she’s upset about the watch but not the photo.

Shocking…. Not.

I place the bag on the backseat of the Mustang before looking at her and reminding her, “And he left you nothing because he knew you had an affair. Why else do you think he stayed at the apartment above the gym? He couldn’t stand the sight of you.” I curl my lip at the woman who birthed me. “You don’t deserve anything of his, especially something you can sell.” I climb in the Mustang and continue, “I’ve emptied the safe but left your marriage certificate. Three days, Mom….”

I slam the door, ignoring her tears, which are all for the show, before starting the Mustang and spinning away.

I saw the hate in her eyes.

She hates that Dad left her nothing and she didn’t think to put her name on things, and that she signed a prenuptial agreement. She hates that she got caught before he died, but I don’t think she realized that Dad never had a different will; everything was still going to be left to Cassidy and me.

Besides, it’s not like she doesn’t have anything.

The documents in the safe from the private investigator showed Andrea’s dad has been giving Mom money for years. It’s how she’s afforded all her shopping sprees and hair appointments.

She didn’t work part-time in a school like we all thought.

This is why Andrea has been trying to get her to go back to her dad. Her Mom left when she found out about the affair and now her dad ignores her.

She’s stupid if she thinks Mom will bring her father home more. He’s been throwing money at her for years despite her not opening her legs, but I guess that’s because Andrea’s dad's a flipping politician, and mom has been threatening to go public about their affair.

Shocking, right?

Andrea’s got what she wants now, though, huh? With no house, Mom’s going to go running to her dad, while she can grin and enjoy carrying Acid’s baby, taking every bit of the life I wanted.

I catch hold of the punching bag a few hours later, my knuckles bleeding and tears streaming down my face.

My body is sweaty, and my breathing labored but I don’t care. Everything is getting too much.

The rape, Cassidy, Acid, mom, Andrea…. Dad.

What have I got going for me? I have nothing….

My skin itches and I curse that my mood is spiraling quickly.

Taking deep breaths, I push off the bag and jump out of the ring, ready to get my phone and call Viking to let him know I’ll fight tonight despite Austin being the main contender.

I need to release this pain, and what better way than beating the crap out of one of your rapists?

They haven’t gone near me since I stabbed them, and I swore never to lay eyes on them again, but I need this before my mind turns dark. Again.

My legs burn, the scars itching, but I ignore them as I reach the reception desk just as my phone rings. I frown and look at the ID to see it's Piston.

“Hello?” I answer, and Piston's heavy breathing echoes in my ear before he rasps, “Natalie’s in the hospital….”

My heart stops and, without asking any questions, I end the call and run for the door.

Twenty minutes later, no thanks to New York traffic, I’m rushing into the waiting room where the nurse directed me, tears stinging my eyes, panic hitting my chest for my friend, my onlyrealfriend.

I notice Piston sitting on a chair, his head in his hands, and I suck in a breath at his wet clothes.

Oh God, what happened….

“Pez….”

I look to my left to see Steal, his face pale. I ignore him, like I have since my sister ran, and look back at Piston, whose eyes now lock with mine. His face is teary, and I run to him, ignoring Acid.

Piston stands when I’m close, and instantly, I’m in his arms, my head on his wet chest.

---