Page 9 of A Hurt So Good

“Well, I’m here,” I tell him. He smiles and offers me his hand, which I take. He leads me over to the table where a bunch of people are standing and pulls me up next to him.

“Hey, guys. This is Arya. She just moved here. Arya, this is Tracy, my sister, Jon, Mikey, and Sam. We’re still missing a few, but they should be here soon,” he says. I say hi to everyone, and they say hi back before Cale hurries off to the bar for drinks.

“So you’re new?” Tracy asks.

“Yeah. I’m only here for a few months,” I reply.

“Why is that? You don’t like it here?”

“I do so far. I’m staying with my mom and her husband until I get things settled. Long story, ex-boyfriend issues,” I explain. She makes a face as if she understands before nodding her head.

“Well, enjoy it while you’re here. It’s a pretty great place,” she says.

“It seems that way so far.” Cale comes back with drinks for everyone, including me. We drink, and I listen as they talk and just have a good time. It isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Cale and his friends are actually pretty nice. Just as I’m having a good time, my phone chimes. I slip it out and see a text from an unknown number.

Unknown: Look at you making new friends. Don’t get too cozy.

Chapter 6

Denz

“Denz, I’m serious. I don’t feel well,” Sasha complains as I sit next to her on her bed. I reach out and feel her forehead, and she does feel pretty hot.

“Let me find the thermometer,” I tell her as I shove off the bed. I walk out of her room, and down to my mom’s and step inside. I hate coming in here. I hate being around her like this.

“Mom,” I call and wait as she pries her eyes open. She looks over at me, glazed eyes and all.

“Huh?”

“Sasha is sick. Where’s her insurance card?”

“How the hell should I know!” Instantly, I roll my eyes and dig through her drawers. Sasha doesn’t get sick often enough for me to know where this shit is, but after digging a little more, I find it. I slam the dresser drawer on purpose before storming out of her room and back to Sasha’s room.

“Get up. Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“To get you checked.”

“I don’t want to go,” she whines. I know she hates going to the doctor. I hear the front door slam shut, and I know the guys are here.

“Yo, Denz?” War calls out.

“Hold on,” I call back. I turn to Sasha and help her sit up before grabbing her shoes and putting them on her. She’s weak, and that’s not a good sign. I help her down the hall, and when we step into the living room, the guys stand from the couch quickly.

“What’s wrong?” Har moves quickly to her side.

“She’s sick. I’m taking her to get checked,” I tell them.

“Shit. We’ll go with you,” War says. I shake my head.

“Nah, I got this. You guys go ahead and go out,” I tell them.

“We’re family, Denz.”

“No shit, but they’re only going to let one of us back there anyway. You might as well go hang out,” I tell them. The hospital isn’t the greatest considering what side of town we’re on, but they still have rules.

“Fine. Call when you find out something,” Harlon says before leaning down and pressing a kiss to the top of Sasha’s head. War walks over and does the same before we all move out of the house.

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