Page 31 of Riot's Thorn
“I don’t know. I’ve never been to one.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not my scene.”
“Hanging out with your friends isn’t your scene?”
I blow out a breath, debating how honest I should be. I want her to know the real me, but if she thinks I’m stupid or makes fun of me, I don’t know how I’ll react. Choking her yesterday was child’s play compared to what I’m capable of, and the best way to summon the monster inside me is to make me feel dumb.
“My brothers aren’t interested in the same things as me, and big crowds make me uncomfortable. They’re loud, and I have a hard time focusing with so much going on.” I shrug. “It doesn’t bother me. I’d rather be home with Ben and Amy anyway.”
“If you don’t want to go, we don’t?—”
“No. You need out of the cabin, and I want you to meet my family.”
“Why?” she whispers.
“Because you live here now.”
“Riot, you understand I don’t want to be here, right? You’re keeping me here against my will.”
“I know that,” I snap, making her flinch. Not wanting to scare her, I cool my tone but keep my words firm. “You can come to terms with that and make the best of your new life, or you can continue to fight and be miserable. The end result is the same.”
She covers her mouth and sniffles, her cute nose turning red. “What about school? My apartment? My friends? You’re taking all that away from me. There’s not a fun enough party to make up for that.”
Her sadness feels like a personal attack, so I grab my cut, my wallet, and my keys. “The party starts at nine. I’ll be back before then if you want to go.”
I punch the code into my front door after a long ass ride. There was no destination; I just needed time away from Parker. In my mind, the decision to leave her old life has been made, and there’s no point in dwelling on what once was. It won’t change anything. It’s better to move forward and adjust. But she doesn’t see it that way, and I can’t relate to that mentality.
The party is just getting started, and I can hear the boisterous voices of my brothers through the pine trees. Did Parker decide she wants to attend? There’s only one way to find out, so I push the door open and step inside. The living room lights are on, but Parker’s not here. I’m quite confident she didn’t get out, but still, I worry she found a loophole the way my rats do when I forget to lock them up before leaving the house.
After setting my shit on the table and slipping off my cut, I head down the hall. The bathroom light is on and the door is open, allowing me to see a shadow moving around inside. As I get closer, I hear Parker singing. No, it’s more like a melodic whispering, as if she’s not sure she wants her voice to be heard.
Remaining in the hallway, I go just far enough to see my girl swaying her hips to a song playing in her ears. She must’ve found my MP3 player in my closet because the relic of a former era is sitting on the counter. It’s been years since I’ve seen that thing, and I can’t even recall what music would still be on it. Nothing good, I’m sure, since my musical tastes have changed since I was a teenager.
I lean against the wall and cross my ankles as I take in the stunning beauty that is Parker. She has on a blue and white ringer tee that shows a sliver of skin between the bottom hem and where her white jean shorts begin. I’m certain the only pair of white pants I packed were long, unlike the ones she has on that barely cover her ass. The crafty girl must’ve cut them down—not that I’m complaining.
Amongst the loot I brought home for her was a pouch of makeup and girly shit I found on her bathroom counter. Seeing her now, I’m glad I didn’t leave it behind because she looks stunning all done up.
Parker’s eyelashes are long and coated in black shit, her lips pink and shiny, and her cheeks have a healthy blush. Her hands move to her hair, and she begins some intricate braid that involves picking up more and more hair as she goes. The movement causes her shirt to ride up and makes her belly button ring twinkle in the mirror.Cute.
With my gaze transfixed on her exposed skin, I miss the moment she realizes I’m here. My presence startles her, and when she whirls around, the corded earbuds yank on the MP3 player, and it crashes onto the floor. Her glare is heated as shepulls the black buds out and crouches to pick up her stolen entertainment.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people,” she says.
“I didn’t sneak. I opened and shut the front door, and my heavy boots made a decent amount of noise as I walked down the hall.” I motion down her body. “Does this mean you want to go to the party?”
“I have nothing better to do.”
“We could stay here, and I could show you how I normally handle sassy little girls. I’m a patient man, but there’s only so much I can take.”
The threat has her mouth clamping shut, but she proves she doesn’t need words to offend me when she holds my gaze as she slowly shuts the door. I have half a mind to kick it in so she has no privacy, ever. But that would be a punishment for me too.
Scrubbing a hand down my face, I call through the door, “Be ready in five.”
I quickly change since I’m a bit dirty after my ride, but all I own are a couple pairs of jeans and basic T-shirts, so I look the same, just a little cleaner. I wonder if Parker finds me attractive.
No one’s ever called me ugly, and it’s never been hard to find someone to fuck, but that could be because of who I’m associated with and not because I’m good-looking. Women like banging a bad boy who gives them a rough fuck so they have at least one exciting story at the end of their boring lives.
