Page 120 of Devil's Bargain

My phone vibrates in my pocket for the third time as I walk back to the couch and plop down. I can’t believe this is happening.

“I’m not disgusted by her,” Matt argues, “but she’s my friend, come on! The thought of anyone hitting her and getting off on it…”

Ben paces. “I’m going to fucking kill him when I find out who it is!”

I take my phone out of my pocket as Steph hands me another beer and sits beside me.

“They’re just worried about you.”

“I know,” I whisper, blinking back tears. “I can’t stay here.”

“There’s more you’re not telling us, isn’t there?”

I swipe the screen.

The Devil: Where the fuck are you?!

“Yes,” I whisper.

The Devil: Your boyfriend punched Jared today. The quarterback can wave his scholarship goodbye if you don’t tell us where you are.

My heart lurches. I rise to my feet and place the beer down on the coffee table.

Rick punched Jared? How did he find out?

“I have to go.”

Steph stands up. “Where are you going?”

“I have to go see a friend.” I gather my bag. The others are too wrapped up in their heated conversation to notice me leaving.

“What friend?” Steph asks, scurrying after me.

I turn in the doorway. “I’m okay, Steph. I’ll call you this evening.”

She looks over her shoulder at the others. They’re in a full-blown argument now. “Promise to call!”

“I will.” I look past her to Ben’s closed bedroom door. “Tell Nina I’m sorry.”

* * *

It rained on the walk here, so now I’m soaked and cold as I knock on the big door and listen for footsteps on the other side. It’s a mild evening. I breathe in the smell of summer rain just as the front door opens.

Rick stares at me like I’m the last person he expected to see tonight.

“Hi.”

He snaps out of his stupor and moves aside, holding the door open. “Come in.”

I feel his eyes on me when I step inside and scan my eyes across the big open space. It’s a mansion compared to my small home.

“Let’s go upstairs to my room,” he says, leading the way.

I follow close on his heel. “I’m sorry to drop in unannounced.”

“I’m glad you did.”

For reasons I don’t understand, he sounds relieved.

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