Page 59 of When Nothing Else Matters

“Hi, sweetheart; how are you?” he says, his voice full of warmth.

I sit back into the pillows on my bed, getting comfortable, in case this is a long call. “I’m good. Just getting ready for a night out. How are you and Alison?”

“Good, good. Listen, I don’t want to interrupt your night. I just wanted to say thank you for the Led Zeppelin record. I don’t know where you found it, and I definitely don’t want to know how much you spent, because any amount is too much, but it means a lot to me. I only wish you’d dropped it off in person.”

Uh, what? Record?I’m so confused until…

I shake my head, cursing inwardly. I’m not going to outright lie, so instead I say, “When I saw it, I knew you would love it. You’ll be happy to know that the money spent on it went to a good cause. It was an item at a charity fundraiser.” I should tell him it wasn’t me, but that will open a whole new can of worms regarding who Dylan is and why he’d do this for Rob, or me. In fact, I’m curious as to why myself. And yes, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out this is Dylan’s doing.Ugh, I’m so angry at him for doing it, but…God, Rob sounds so happy.My chest tightens, and I feel a crack in my armor. It’s not the first, if I’m being completely honest, and it terrifies me to think it may not be the last. Sure, we’re friends, but why does he have to be so freaking good to me?

“Well, thank you. It was really thoughtful, and I appreciate it. I love you, kid,” Rob says, his voice breaking on the last words, making me feel guilty for taking the credit. I know the intention was there. I wanted to get it for him, but it wasn’t actually me who bought it. And, although it’s not the first time Rob’s said I love you, it still doesn’t feel right.

I swallow down my emotions and change the subject. As usual, I don’t say I love you back, but he never seems to mind. After a few more minutes of talking, Rob ends the call, and I sag into the bed.

Thoughts of Dylan drift through my mind, and I find myself wishing he were here.Dammit!That’s definitely not supposed to happen.Get it together. It’s only been a few days.It’s actually a good thing that he’s away this weekend. We need the space;Ineed the space. My head’s been all over the place lately. It’s time I sorted my shit out. Taking a deep breath, I jump from the bed, adjusting my outfit for the night, mini skirt and silk top, before rushing to fix my makeup so I will be ready as soon as Joel gets here. I need to get this night started.

The bar is already pumping when we arrive. The sound of background music is being drowned out by the excited tones of the patrons, ready for the big game, which I’ve been told is almost as big as a championship game. Rivalry at its best. Since everyone’s here for the same thing, the tables closest to the screens are all full. Luckily a few of our group beat us here, so we have a table secured in prime position.

The score is close, but our boys win in the end. Dylan played another killer game and should be extremely proud of himself. Hell, I’m proud of him, my friend, that I was definitelynotchecking out.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Dylan’s going to be picked up by an NFL team next year and end up somewhere on the other side of the country, living out his dream. Away from here, away from his friends, away from me. I feel a faint pang in my chest and have to consciously stop myself from raising my hand to the site.Shit! So much for getting him out of my head.

I drag Cory to the dance floor as soon as the interviews wrap up, and this is where we spend the rest of the night. Joel and his friends join us occasionally, but, other than them, I reject all guys that approach. For some reason, I’m not feeling it tonight.Okay, maybe I know the reason.

It’s a little after midnight when Cory’s had enough. I know I should go home with her, but I’m not ready. So instead, I make eye contact with Joel and signal him over. Pulling him into my arms for a dance, I send out a silent prayer that he wants to stay for a bit longer, since he’s my ride home. “Got it in you to keep me company for another hour or so?” I ask.

“Of course,” he agrees with a smirk. “But I’m not driving any drunk guys home with you.” He laughs.

“Have you seen me with anyone tonight?” I sass.

He eyes me curiously, and I fear he’s trying to read something into my words. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t,” he says, sounding a little shocked.

Geez, I don’t go home with someone every night.Actually it’s been a while.

I roll my eyes as a new song begins, and we both get wrapped up in the music.

I’m hot and sweaty from another hour of dancing and need some air. I scan the room, looking for Joel or any of the group, but can’t see anyone in the first few seconds, so I shrug and head outside.

The cool October night air is refreshing and very welcome. Pulling the hair away from my neck, I allow the breeze to cool me and take a deep breath. I definitely needed this break.

The creak of the door pulls my gaze in that direction, and I tense as a guy walks out with a cigarette in hand. Just when I think it’s safe to relax—he only wants a hit of his vice—his eyes catch mine, and he gives me a sly leer. “Hey, baby, are you leaving already? We didn’t get to dance,” he drawls, taking a step closer to me, forcing me to step back. He’s clearly drunk.

“Not interested, but thanks,” I say with a fake smile.I just want some peace.

“You give it up for everyone else; why not me?” he whines.

Do I know this guy?“I’m not going to ‘give it up’ for you because that statement is false. I may sleep with different guys, but I have standards.” I move to go inside, but he pulls me back by my hair and slams me to the ground. The move evokes memories and freezes me in place. While this isn’t the first time a guy has tried something without my permission, it’s the first time a guy’s been violent. Flashes of the past run through my mind, and in my moment of weakness, the creep straddles my legs and uses his full weight to keep me down while he presses my hands into the dirt above my head.

I try to fight back, but my drunken state slows my reactions. With one hand still on mine, he moves the other up my thighs until he reaches my panties. I struggle and thrash my body around, trying to buck him off.

“The fight only makes this more fun,” he says while getting his fingers under the waistband of the delicate silk. I finally come to my senses and snap.He will not be hurting me tonight.

Before I even get the chance to fight back again, his weight disappears, and my arms move along with him as he’s ripped off me. When he struggles to maintain his grip on me, I fall back onto the ground. It takes a second to get my balance, but when I finally look up, it’s just in time to see another woman punch my attacker square in the nose.Impressive. As much as I’m enjoying his takedown, I don’t want her to get hurt, so I scream out for help. I’m shocked when the guy pushes the woman down and scrambles to his feet, running away like a coward.

The woman jumps up and runs over to where I’m lying on the ground. “Jesus, are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m okay. Thanks to you. You are one badass chick. Did he hurtyou?” I reply, trying to turn this back on her. That’s how I’ll get past this.

A small smile plays on her lips at my “badass” comment, before she turns serious again. “What can I do to help?”

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