Seventeen
Shark
L ighting up my cigarette, I see headlights of a small black vehicle whip into the lot and come to a stop. The passenger door opens and I finally see her. I’ve been looking for her since yesterday, but she up and vanished leaving me completely on edge. The whiskey hasn’t been helping, so I thought the nicotine might do the trick.
I pull a deep drag into my lungs before blowing the smoke back out into the hot dessert air. The driver’s side door swings open and another girl hops out, quickly skipping around to meet Scarlett. Even in the dark, I can see Scarlett’s feet are bare and she’s carrying her shoes as the two start to walk together towards the path around the edge of the clubhouse.
Something’s not right here. I need to find out who this girl is that she’s with and where they’ve been.
I take one more quick drag before dropping my butt and stomping it out. My boots are heavy against the pavement as I start to walk. They’ve headed back towards the pool area, so I should be able to walk through the clubhouse and cut them off before they can make it to her bedroom.
I march through the loud chaos of tonight’s party, focused on finding her, when an unwanted distraction steps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
“You look like a man on a mission,” the clearly drunk female sways slightly in front of me.
“That’s because I am. Now move,” I request.
“I bet I’d be more fun than wherever you’re going,” she starts to lift her hand to my chest, but I clasp her wrist, stopping her.
“Doubt it. Now get the fuck out of my way,” I take the stronger route this time.
She releases a soft huff, but finally steps aside. I know now that I’ve probably missed my chance to intercept, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get the fuckin’ story. I turn my path and walk in the direction of her bedroom.
“Scarlett, we need to talk,” I announce as my fist connects with her door.
Seconds later the door cracks, but it’s a pair of brown eyes looking back at me.
“She’s in the shower,” the girl tells me, but I lift my hand and push the door out from under her, sticking my head into the room.
“You don’t believe me?” she asks, clearly amused.
“Nope. Don’t fucking know you,” I answer roughly.
“And I don’t know you. So, do you want to tell me why you’re looking for Scarlett like some psycho?” she asks bravely.
“Saw her get out of the car, barefoot. Shit didn’t look right. Is she okay?” I ask, though I seriously doubt this girl will give me a straight answer.
“She’s fine. It was just a bit of a rough night. Nothing that a hot shower, some Tylenol, and a good night’s sleep can’t fix,” she shares.
“And who are you?” I finally ask.
“I’m Roxy. I’ve been Scarlett’s best friend since second grade,” she answers.
“Okay, tell me everything that happened tonight,” I demand.
“Wait… You’re the new guy. Shark, right?” she asks and I feel my eyebrows pinch. “Yeah, she told me about you,” she says, seeming to answer my unspoken question.
“I’m not new, I’m fuckin’ old. Now stop stalling and tell me what happened,” I instruct through gritted teeth.
“Fine. I mean, I guess you guys are going to find out anyway,” she says, pushing out a deep breath. “I’m a cocktail waitress at Aria, and there’s this bartender that I’ve been trying to set Scarlett up with for a while. She came in last night. She was upset, so I decided to introduce them. I thought if she had a little fun that she’d relax and feel a little better. She had a couple drinks, so she left her car at the casino and came home with me. She went back tonight to get her car, but when it wouldn’t start, she ended up at the bar again. He offered her a ride home and apparently, he tried to get a little handsy with her in the car. And when she refused his advances, he left her on the side of the road,” she finishes and I feel my biceps flex as my hands clench into fists.
“What kind of friend introduces her girlfriend to a fucking creep like that?” I growl and her lip quivers.
“I feel awful. I know it’s my fault, but I thought they were both my friends. I’ve worked with Alex for two years and never suspected he would try to force her to do anything. I never would have introduced them if I thought he was like that,” she rattles as her eyes get glassy.
“Sorry,” I apologize roughly. “It’s not your fault, it’s his. Now I need you to tell me everything you know about him, and where I can find him,” I tell her.
Within minutes Roxy has spilled all the details I need to find this fucker and make him pay.
“Stay with her until I get back,” I instruct as I pull my phone from my pocket and leave the room.
One quick phone call and I have all the real information I need. Alex’s complete background, even his mother’s fucking maiden name. But the piece I really needed is my sole focus as I hop on my bike. His current home address.