Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Tempest
“ W hy did you need me to pick you up?” Mason asked as he lifted himself through my bedroom window, sitting on the edge of it once inside. “Damn, what happened in here?”
“My car’s out of gas and Dad’s cut my money off. Claims I need to learn to be responsible,” I grumbled, motioning to the mess of my room. “This was him looking for drugs.”
“You can stay with me if you want.”
“He’d only drag me home to spite me, and I know you mean well, but your buddies wouldn’t tolerate me living with you.”
“Did you just get laid?” He raised an eyebrow as he stepped closer to me, making me scowl. I pretended to be stupid, acting like Ryder’s cum wasn’t still between my legs. I’d gotten dressed when he’d left, but he was long gone by the time I was decent enough to step outside.
“What are you talking about?”
“Who’s been fucking you? I can smell it on you.”
“None of your business, Mase. Can we go before my parents get home?”
“I’m all up for adventures in the bedroom, but if you intend on sleeping in my bed tonight, I’d prefer you shower first.” He frowned, grabbing my chin firmly and tilting my head to the side. “Who the fuck hurt you?” He licked his thumb and rubbed it on my neck, wiping off the makeup I’d spent forever applying to hide the bruising that was forming on my neck.
It wasn’t bad, but it would be by morning.
I swatted his hand away, annoyance in my tone. “No one. I just had some rough sex. I asked them to choke me.”
I hated it when he got sweet with me. It made me uncomfortable because I had zero intention of turning our casual sex into a permanent relationship.
“You’d tell me if someone was hurting you, right? Me and the guys would sort them out for you.”
His fingers were gentle as he inspected my throat again, and I sighed, letting him have his way.
“The guys wouldn’t give a shit, but sure. I’d tell you.”
“Hey, they love an excuse to beat people up. Go shower,” he instructed, and I figured I’d do as he asked since it was likely he’d end up fucking me later.
I was quick, but not quick enough because by the time I got back to my room and finished touching up my makeup, Mom got home.
She opened my door and paused when she spotted Mason lying back on my bed, her eyes sliding to me. “Honey, why do you deliberately break rules?”
“Dad won’t kick me out, so what more can he do? If he thinks I’m cleaning my room after he trashed it, he has another thing coming,” I answered lightly.
“Who’s your friend?”
“I’m Mason Ridgegate,” Mason offered, getting to his feet and offering Mom his hand. “I see where Tempest gets her good looks from.”
“Got my cock sucking skills from her too, no doubt,” I said sweetly. “We’re not friends, Mom. We just fuck.”
“Not here I hope,” she grumbled, shaking Mason’s hand. “How old are you?”
“Mom—” I didn’t like her knowing too much because then she’d tell Dad and I’d be easy to track down.
“Nineteen,” he smiled. “I’m taking Tempest out tonight.”
“Oh? On a date?” I hated the hope that filled her eyes as if this was me realizing it was time to settle down.
I stood from my spot on the floor by the mirror, grabbing my phone. “Not unless you think a gangbang with his friends is a date. He’s only picking me up because I’m out of gas.”
“Babe,” Mason huffed, managing to look embarrassed. “If your dad comes home and hears that, I’m a dead man.”
“You tag team me with your friends. You’re already a dead man,” I chuckled, turning to Mom. “I won’t be home tonight. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow about coming back to this shithole.”
“Can we please talk? This has to stop,” she begged, desperation in her voice that made me roll my eyes.
“You want to talk now? You let Dad go through my things, cut me off?—”
“Can’t you see it’s for your own good?” she demanded, crossing her arms. “He thinks you’re on meth.”
“Not today,” I replied dryly. “I need you guys to butt out, okay? It’s my life and I’ll do what I want.”
“You’re going to die on me. Do you not understand how much that hurts me to know?” she asked softly. “I love you so much and you're scaring me.”
“You’d want to pray that drugs take me out because the alternative is way worse,” I bit out, and Mason slid an arm around my lower back, tugging me close to him.
“C’mon, let’s go. I need to stop for beer, and this conversation isn’t going anywhere productive.”
“She’s just pretending to care because you’re here,” I snorted, giving her a dirty look. “They’re really just counting down the days until I’m not here to be a problem anymore.”
“Tempest!” she gasped, tears filling her eyes. Something stirred inside me that felt like guilt, but I pushed it away. I wasn’t going to let her trick me.
I pushed Mason towards the window, waiting for him to climb out before I followed, slamming it shut behind me. Mom stared at me, and I had to admit her acting was good.
I almost felt bad.
Mason had parked down the street so we walked in silence until we reached the car, then he glanced at me with a frown. “You getting your meth from Channing?”
“Dad found an old syringe from me and Ry. We only did it a handful of times,” I answered, lighting a cigarette. “It’s not like you haven’t done it.”
“I like party drugs, not the hard stuff,” he grunted. “Where’d you get it?”
“Ry. I didn’t ask where he got it from, but I assume he stole it from his family’s stash.”
“You and Ry are closer than you make out to be, aren’t you?” he asked as he started the car, not taking his eyes off me as he rolled the two front windows down.
I shrugged, toying with the lighter in my hand. “It doesn’t matter. Now he’s clean, things are different. Just because his dick still likes me, doesn’t mean he does.”
I knew I’d said too much when Mason smirked, starting to drive towards Blackwater.
“You’re still fucking him? You guys have always had good chemistry.”
“Yeah, well, some things are better left in the past, apparently.” I eyed him for a moment, dragging on my cigarette. “He needs to just get high and relax a little. He’s so fucking tense.”
Mason laughed, agreeing with me. “Yeah, he needs to loosen up a little. He’ll get back on it eventually.”
I’d never understand why anyone would want to be sober. Then again, it wasn’t like he ever stopped drinking. I needed to give him a little nudge so we could have fun together again.
I missed the old Ryder, he was fun, fucked me regularly, and we’d spent many nights laughing at dumb shit while high together. He’d become my best friend without him even realizing, and I missed all the fun we used to have.
“You think he’ll get back on it? Even if it’s just pills. That’s not so bad, right? It’s not like it’s powder or crystal. Pills are harmless,” I questioned, and Mason shrugged.
“I don’t think they’re a problem. They haven’t killed me yet, but I also don’t take them daily like Ry did. If he just did it occasionally, he’d feel better.”
That's what I thought. I really had to help make him see sense before he wasted his life being boring.
He was miserable without them, so I needed to fix that.
Ryder
“You didn’t have to hit me,” Jett grumbled from the other side of the couch, giving me the side-eye. “You’re a mean drunk.”
“I said I was sorry, didn’t I?” I huffed, making him roll his eyes.
“Say it again with meaning.”
“You’re a dick.”
“Says the violent alcoholic.”
“Guys, this isn’t helping,” Maddox bit out, carrying cold beers into the living room and handing us one each. “You’ll just end up fighting.”
“And now I have a weapon,” I joked, waving the glass bottle at Jett. “Keep trash talking, fucker.”
“I love you, but you really gotta stop beating me up. I cop enough of that shit from your siblings,” he muttered, picking at the label on the beer. “I’m sorry I came across as a boring dick, but you were really bothering Lexi, and I didn’t want them to throw you out of the club. There was no way in fucking hell you could drive either, and it’s because I love you that I had to be a pain in the ass and take your keys.”
“Love you too. Dick,” I smiled, sliding my phone from my pocket to check social media.
I ignored most of the messages, but I paused over photos Channing had put up. Tempest was doing shots with one of the other girls, and there was another photo of Tempest giving Channing a lap dance. She looked trashed, and I had to force myself not to call her and see if she was okay.
She did this all the time and was fine, so she didn’t need me.
As much as the guys all used her, they wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her either, especially Mason.
“Is that Tempest? That girl’s a mess,” Maddox stated as he sat beside me, glancing at my phone. “I’ll give a thousand bucks to any guy in the country who hasn’t stuck their dick in her.”
“Fuck off,” I snorted, scrolling down to find more damn photos of her drunkenly staggering around the party half-naked. People were being assholes in the comments too, pissing me off.
Channing didn’t really give a shit about making her look bad, but Mason might have since he was head over heels in love with her.
I’d unblocked the guys’ numbers, so I clicked on Mason’s contact and sent him a text before I could stop myself.
Ryder: Tell Chan to stop posting pics of Tempest like that. Her dad’s going to see them and murder you.
Mason: Unblocked me, huh? We were just talking about you, Prince Ryder. Come sniff some coke and fuck her, you’ll feel better. Even warmed her pussy up for you. Chan said fuck off.
Ryder: You’re an asshole. You don’t even care about her.
Mason: Sorry, I forgot you already railed her today. Nice marks you left behind. And you think I’m the asshole?
I tilted my phone screen away, but Maddox had already seen it, and he managed to look surprised. “The girl you’re screwing is Tempest? Bro, bad idea.”
“You’re still fucking her?” Jett groaned, and Maddox glared at him.
“You knew this was a regular thing? Why didn’t I know?”
“Sorry, man. We might be boyfriends-in-law, but Ry is my bro,” Jett shrugged, earning a dirty look from Maddox. He snatched my phone from my hands and I saw red, throwing a fist at him and catching his jaw.
“Give me that!”
He stared at me for a moment before handing it back, jabbing a finger against my chest. “I’ll give you that one, but do it again, and I’m going to give you a black eye.”
“Me and Tempest aren’t a thing, I cut her off when I got home from rehab. Today was a mistake and I told her that.”
“You bet your ass it was a mistake. Kissing her would probably get you high.”
“I fucking get it, okay? She just needed me and I helped her. It got heated, that’s all.” I glanced down at my phone as it buzzed again, Mason’s name on the screen.
Mason: You’re a selfish prick, you know? She really likes you and you don’t give a shit.
Ryder: I do give a shit, I’m probably the only one who does, but I have to think of myself. I can’t be around the drugs, dude. How many times do I have to repeat that I’m clean?
Mason: You mean you’re fucking boring.
“Ry, let it go,” Jett warned, drawing my attention. “It’s not worth you getting upset over.”
“That prick really gets under my skin sometimes,” I admitted as if they had any idea who I was talking about, putting my phone away without replying as I grabbed the gaming controller. “Who’s versing me?”
Maddox and I ended up going head-to-head, and after he won the next three games, my mood had completely turned sour.
Everyone was good at everything, but the only thing I was good at was fucking things up.
“Fuck this shit,” I snapped, throwing the controller hard across the room, hearing it shatter into pieces as I stood and stalked out, snatching my keys off the table.
“Ry—” I didn’t need Maddox trying to parent me. I was so fucking sick of everyone. I turned to face him, clenching my fists and making him stop following me. “We don’t have to game anymore, man. We can just watch a movie.”
“Fuck you guys. You think I want to sit here being babysat all night?”
“We’re just hanging out like we always have,” he said slowly, but I shook my head and opened the door.
“Leave me the fuck alone, Maddox. You guys don’t need me now that you have each other.”
I slammed the door as I left, unlocking my car and climbing behind the wheel.
I drove towards home but changed my mind at the last minute, turning around and heading towards Blackwater.
Cars lined the street and I found a spot as close as possible, not understanding why I’d come here in the first place. Tempest wasn’t my fucking problem, I had enough of those, but I hated that the guys were letting people talk about her online like that.
It would only be another reason for her to hurt herself.
People whistled and cheered when I pushed through the crowd, and as much as I’d always loved it, it was getting old. They all just hoped I’d either fuck them or throw my money around.
“Yo, Donovan. Get that look off your face before you scare all the girls away,” Wolfe joked as he materialized beside me. My steps didn’t slow, but he kept up with me easily.
“Where’s Channing?”
“If you’re here to start shit, I hope you know I won’t apologize for knocking you out,” he said without a hint of annoyance. Wolfe was a dick, but he was an honest one. “This is my territory, man. I don’t shit in your backyard, so don’t shit in mine.”
“Where the fuck is he? I’m not fucking around,” I snapped, people glancing at us nervously as I made my way towards the pool house. Wolfe didn’t stop me, he had no problem letting me throw a punch at his friend, but I also knew it would end in me getting my ass beat.
I was cool with that.
I shoved open the door, and Tempest grinned from her place on the couch. She was naked, her eyes barely open as she slurred her words.
“Well, if it isn’t the Prince of Ashburn! You finally came to your senses? Come party with us!”
Mason and Channing eyed me from the couch beside her as they shared a joint, and Mason had the audacity to shift his body towards Tempest as if to keep her safe from me.
He was the one killing her with the fucking pills he was shoving down her throat.
Channing watched me silently as I scruffed the front of his shirt and hauled him to his feet, getting in his face and trying to ignore the tempting scent of weed. “Take that shit down from Instagram.”
He smirked, tilting his head. “Don’t be a buzzkill. Sniff some coke off her tits, you’ll feel better.”
“She’s coming home with me.”
I had no idea what to do with her once I got her home, but I’d deal with that later.
“Excuse me?” Tempest mumbled, trying to get to her feet but failing. “I’m staying here with the guys!”
“You’re barely conscious, Temp.”
“It’s not like you haven’t fucked me while I’m passed out.”
“You mean when we were both high as fuck and out of our minds? Yeah, I know. It’s one of the reasons I gave this shit up.” My eyes swung back to Channing and I scowled. “Seriously, dude. Remove them. It’s better for you if Archer doesn’t see you in photos with his half-naked daughter who’s clearly high. He’ll come looking for her and murder you in the process.”
Wolfe leaned against the wall close by with his arms crossed, most likely waiting for Channing’s word to beat me up. I’d seen the guy fight, so I knew it was going to hurt like hell if he started swinging.
Channing pushed me back to force me to let him go before stepping into my space with a low voice. “You really want to start shit with me and my boys, Donovan? Over pussy you claim you don’t even want?”
I shoved him back, refusing to back down. “Temp, baby. Get dressed.”
Channing smirked, but it was full of malice, not humor. “You’re making a mistake, man.”
“She can barely sit up. I don’t want to fight with you, I respect you, but you don’t want the trouble she’ll bring you if her father finds out she’s on her knees for you in this state. There’s plenty of other girls here tonight, so let me take Tempest home,” I said calmly, flicking my eyes to Wolfe. “You want to be the next guy dropped in a shallow grave? That’s exactly where Archer will leave you.”
Mason scowled from the couch, knowing Channing’s decision before he even nodded and looked at Tempest. “Get dressed and go.”
“What the fuck, Chan?” Tempest spat, her eyes narrowing as he stood over her with a glare.
“You fucking heard me. Leave. I don’t need this shit tonight.”
“You’re an asshole,” she hissed as he grabbed her wrist and tugged her to her feet, amusement in his tone.
“Yet you’ll come crawling back tomorrow when you want pills and my dick. Go play with your rent-a-rich-boy since he seems to want your company tonight. We’ll play later.”
He gave her a shove in my direction, and I grabbed her to stop her from tripping over her own feet.
“She’s right, you know? You’re an asshole,” I said flatly, and he raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
“You’re not better than us, Donovan. Getting clean didn’t change that.” He looked me up and down before jerking his chin towards the door. “You know where the door is. You don’t need an escort.”
No one threw a punch, so it meant we were cool, and I gave him a nod of thanks before pulling my shirt over my head and wrangling Tempest’s arms into it, covering her naked body. She was almost passed out, so I scooped her into my arms and carried her outside, letting the door slam behind me.
I heard a few snickers and whispers as I carried her through the crowd of people, making my way to the car and making sure she was buckled in properly once I got her inside. Her head dropped to the side, and I sighed. I couldn’t do much for her tonight other than give her a safe place to sleep.
I took my time driving home, hoping everyone was either asleep or out when I got there. I’d get my ass beat for being anywhere near her, especially in this state.
I parked in the garage and shut the engine off, glancing over at her in the dark. She looked so peaceful but so haunted at the same time, and I reached out to tuck her blonde hair behind her ear.
I knew how hard it was to get clean, but how did she think she was happy like this? She was running from demons she was creating, and the more she fed them, the worse they became.
After staring at her like a creep for a few minutes, I climbed from the car and moved around to her side, easing her into my arms and locking the car before heading inside.
Thankfully, no one was around.
I took her up to my room and locked the door behind us, placing her in my bed and staring down at her. Memories of sliding into her plagued me, and I hit the side of my head to silence it when my dick hardened.
I wasn’t about to take advantage of her. Especially since I’d brought her home to stop anyone else doing that.
Leaving her alone, I slipped into my bathroom and had a quick shower, turning the lights off as I made my way back towards the bed in my boxers. She mumbled in her sleep as she rolled over and snuggled into me.
I wanted to pull away, but the dried scabs on the front of her thighs brushed against me, and something twisted in my stomach.
She had no one who understood her, and I had no one who understood me.
Maybe our demons could snuggle just for tonight.
The moment my arm went around her, she shuffled closer and buried her face in my chest, dropping a leg over mine to tangle them together. My teeth bit into the inside of my cheek as her hot pussy pressed against my thigh, and I had to stop myself from rubbing against her to try and rouse her.
There was something fucking wrong with me if I found her passed out body fuckable.
It took hours for me to fall asleep, but I managed to do it without molesting her, so there was that.