Page 135 of I Blame the Rival

“That’s for Skylar.”

Holding my stinging palm close to my chest, I turn and give Vector a nod.

“He’s all yours.”

“Wait. What? Lacey doll, think about what you’re doing…”

Jerrell shrieks when Vector hauls him back up into the air.

“She’s not your doll, dumbass. She’s dating my brother.”

Dragging him out the closest exit, Vector doesn’t spare me or anyone else a second glance before the door bangs shut behind them.

A stunned silence descends on the crowd, the tension lingering until Nico breaks it with a hoot.

“Round of tequila on Mighty Mo!”

Cheers explode around the room while Mo turns to glare at his partner. Patrons start pushing their way to the bar and eventually the club’s music gets turned back on. The nightclub slowly comes back to life as the dance floor refills and people start laughing and talking again.

The adrenalin finally leaves my body and soon I’m shaking, swaying uneasily on my feet as I start pushing through the crowd, looking for the most important piece of my heart.

Skylar

My brother always said one day I would be grateful for the person he turned out to be.

Turns out, he was right.

“I said I wanted to see your ass kicked, but this fucking sucks.” Walsh sighs, pressing a washcloth against my face, “I don’t like it when you’re not a moody bitch.”

My lips are cracked and bleeding, so I don’t bother responding. The thunderous pain in my skull makes me think I have a concussion, but it could also be the swelling that seems to have taken over my face.

“Skylar? Oh my God.”

Gentle fingers reach out to touch me and I instinctively lean towards her. Lacey brushes a hand through my matted hair and I smile despite the discomfort.

“Hi, Flower.”

“What the fuck?” Walsh whips his head around, “You’ve been able to talk this whole time?”

I go to shrug but the sharp pain has me quickly rethinking that decision.

“I take it back. I don’t like you even when you are a moody bitch.”

Lacey shoots him a glare, “He’s not a moody bitch. You can leave now.”

He grumbles under his breath and makes his departure. She quickly takes his place by my side, gently lifting and resting my head onto her lap.

“I’m so mad at you right now.”

“I know.”

She sighs, stroking my bruised skin, “That was so stupid, Skylar. You could have died.”

“I know.”

“If Mo hadn’t gotten Jerrell off you…” Her voice breaks and it hurts me more than any injury ever could.

“Don’t cry, Flower.”

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