Page 27 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

With my cheek resting against Kyle’s shoulder, I mumbled, “We will get out of Montgomery. I promise. I’ll make it happen.”

I’d sell my soul if I had to. I’d get us out of this hellhole and find a better life.

Our music would be the key.

Chapter 10

I woke the following morning to Kyle’s phone vibrating on my nightstand. Squashed between him and Hunter on my queen-sized bed, I wriggled and sat upright. After talking into the wee hours of the morning, we must’ve drifted off somewhere around two a.m.

I rubbed the tiredness from my eyes, then the side of my head. It still ached from where I’d hit it. As I traced my fingers over the rough, dried blood, the horror of last night flashed behind my eyelids. Kyle’s dad on a rampage was something I never wanted to see again.

Kyle lay curled toward me. With his tousled hair fanned against the pillow and deep breathing, he looked at peace. But the skin around his eyes was black as tar. Purple bruises dotted his cheeks. The cut on his lip looked like a failed piercing attempt ...no, it looked like he’d ripped a piercing out, and his hands were mauled like he’d been in a street fight. Take away all the marks and he was still handsome though.

I slapped him on the thigh. ‘‘Mom’ lit the screen on his cell phone. “Kyle? It’s your mom.”

He groaned, rolled over, and reached for his cell, then hit the answer button. “Hey. Everything okay?” he said, tired and groggy. “What?” He shot upright, wide awake. The blood drained from his face. Panic set into his voice. “Didn’t you get our messages?...Where?...What did he do?” His eyelids scrunched closed. His chin trembled. “Fuck. I’m so sorry. I mean it, Mom. I’ll fucking kill him. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

He hung up and swung his legs off the bed.

“What’s happened?” I caught his arm. New fear resided in the depths of his eyes.

“Mom’s in hospital. Two broken ribs. Broken nose. Cuts and bruises.” He clenched his jaw and his fists. “She said she fell down the stairs. But she’s fucking lying. Just like always.”

“Holy shit.” Hunter lurched from the bed, raking his fingers through his hair. “He hurt her that bad?”

“Yep.” Fresh tears welled in Kyle’s eyes. “Asshole.”

I scrambled off the mattress and grabbed a fresh T-shirt to change into. “Which hospital? Let’s go see her. I’ll call a taxi.”

“I should’ve stayed at home.” He sat frozen on the bed, staring at the floor. “I should’ve been there to protect her. Fuck. This is my fault.”

“No, it’s not.” Hunter rushed to his side. “Don’t ever think that. But right now, we need to go see your mom.”

While we waited for the taxi, we devoured a packet of Pop-Tarts and a carton of orange juice. Every movement of my hands hurt, my knuckles sore and stiff. If I ached this much, what was Kyle going through? He clutched at his ribs every time he walked, each step slower than normal.

“Do you want some Advil?” I pointed to the packet we’d left on the counter last night.

“No. I’ll be okay.” He kissed the top of my head. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

“Any time.” I grabbed my keys and cell phone, and we headed out the door.

I’d thought Kyle had been badly beaten, but nothing could have prepared me for Claire. She was lying in the hospital bed, and her arm was set in a cast. Her black eye had swollen to the size of a tennis ball. Her purple cheeks hid every inch of her olive complexion. The sparkle in her eyes had gone out. Hunter and I huddled at the end of the bed while Kyle sat beside his mom. He didn’t want us to leave the room.

After many tears, Kyle failed to convince his mom to change her I-fell-down-the-stairs story and report William. Wiping his hands down his face, with his shoulders slouched, he was sapped of energy. “I’m not gonna let him get away with this, Mom. I can’t. Not this time. If you won’t help me, Hunt and Gem will. I won’t spend another night in that house without him paying for what he’s done.”

“Kyle.” Claire clutched his hand. “No. Your father is a good man.”

“He used to be.” Kyle’s brow furrowed as he sniffled. “I want my dad back. I want summer vacations together and movie nights and laughs over dinner. But it hasn’t been like that for months—years in fact. I won’t let him hurt us again.”

“What are you going to do?” Claire’s chin trembled. “Don’t do anything silly.”

“I won’t, Mom. I’ll think of something.” He stood and kissed Claire on the forehead. His eyes had clouded over like his brain was working overtime to come up with a plan. “You get some rest. I’ll come see you later this afternoon.”

I stepped forward and kissed Claire on the hair. “Love you, too. See you soon.”

Hunter repeated the gesture. “Mrs. Mac, I hate that you’re hurt, but you’re still the hottest chick in this place. Love you.”

Claire half smiled, shooing him away.

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