Chapter 53
Ren
My phone vibrated on the desk. I quickly finished my thought, my fingers flying across the keyboard, before saving and then checking my messages.
NASHOLE: Psst.
I smirked.
R: Psst, back.
I waited, but nothing else came through.
R: Was that it? You just wanted to make sure I’d answer?
NASHOLE: Maybe.
R: So, you’re checking up on me?
NASHOLE: Maybe.
R: OMG, why are you so frustrating?
NASHOLE: Cause I am.
R: I’m going to ignore you now.
NASHOLE: Never forget what happens when you ignore me.
R: Yeah…I’m not too concerned about you spanking me anymore.
NASHOLE: Oh yeah? Why, because you like it when I do?
R: Maybe.
NASHOLE: Hmm, my own tactics thrown back in my face. Guess I deserve that.
R: You do, but seriously, was there a reason for your text?
NASHOLE: Yes, there is. I don’t like this schedule you made for me.
I cocked my eyebrow at my phone.
NASHOLE: Don’t you give me your annoyed look.
Standing, I went to the door and looked out in the hallway, but he wasn’t there.
NASHOLE: I’m not there. I just know you all too well.
R: Okay, that’s not creepy at all. Maybe you really are my stalker.
NASHOLE: Oh, I’m your stalker, alright, just not the one leaving nursery rhyme messages.
NASHOLE: Speaking of, has there been anything new?
R: No. It’s been very quiet. I’m not sure which is worse. The waiting for what is coming next or the messages themselves.
NASHOLE: Definitely the waiting. I’m not very patient on the best days, so this asshole is pissing me off. Just show yourself already.
R: You didn’t just put that out into the world. Are you trying to get me killed?
NASHOLE: I mean, I do hate you.
R: Funny.
NASHOLE: I thought so. Anyway, you’re with someone, right?
Rory was extremely focused on his assignment and looked mighty cute with his glasses pulled down low as he typed.
R: Yes, I’m helping Rory today. One other student came in and stayed for like fifteen minutes. But when I wouldn’t just give him the answers and made him think about his questions, he left.
NASHOLE: Good to hear it. But back to my schedule. I haven’t seen you since Saturday. That is way too fucking long to go without you. Just saying.
I smiled, and heat flushed my body. Even my ears started to burn.
R: Is that so?
NASHOLE: Yes. Yes, it is. We need to revise this thing.
R: Aren’t you at swim practice with Richards?
NASHOLE: Yes, and your buddy Sabastian. You should be proud that I haven’t drowned him yet.
R: I’ll have a medal made for you.
NASHOLE: Fuck the medal. I want one of those massive trophies that they give out for cheer competitions.
I snickered, and Rory looked up. “Sorry.”
R: Would you like it pink and gold and sparkly, too?
NASHOLE: Fuck that! I want it black and red with flames cause I’m hot.
R: LOL! What you are is insane. But I’ll look at the schedule and see what we can do.
NASHOLE: I’d better go. Richards is about to start. Thanks, and I don’t care whose night it is, you’re mine tonight.
My mouth curved up.
R: Okay.
NASHOLE: Okay? That seemed too easy.
R: Well, now you can spend the rest of practice and the drive back wondering what I really meant.
NASHOLE: That is just pure evil, Princess.
R: But you like it.
NASHOLE: I do. Okay gotta jet. Love ya, hate ya, all the things.
R: Right back at you. See you later.
I set the phone down and shook my head. He was mental sometimes, but I did love it. His texts were oddly refreshing, a contrast to the dark and brooding persona he loved to lean into in person.
“How is the quiz going?”
Rory looked up from the mock quiz I’d given him and nodded.
“I think I’m done. Just checking over what I wrote.”
My phone vibrated again, and I rolled my eyes, but it wasn’t Nash. It was Lizzy. I quickly unlocked it to see what she said.
L: Hey, Boo. I just wanted to say sorry again for what I said and for Rylan.
I love you, and I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life.
I’m just so all over the place, and I say random shit, and then immediately wish I could take it all back.
I wish I could take back our last conversation. I was a bitch, and I’m sorry.
R: Girl, there is nothing in this world that could make me stop loving you.
Besides, I love that you just say whatever pops into your head.
It is just one of your more endearing qualities.
Even when it’s hurtful. I love you, too.
I’m not angry. I am surprised about Rylan, though.
More about the fact that he wouldn’t support you at all.
I mean, I knew he could be a jerk, but this…
L: It’s not his fault. We were both super drunk, and as soon as I woke up and realized what happened, I took off. I messaged him when I found out that I was pregnant and told him that I wasn’t ready to have a child. He said neither was he, and that was the last we spoke.
R: You didn’t talk at all about the options?
L: No. He asked what I was going to do, and I said that he didn’t need to worry. That…I would handle the situation.
R: You do know that sounds like you planned an abortion, right?
L: Yeah, I guess it does. But he didn’t argue, so what does it matter? I’m giving the baby to an amazing couple.
R: I guess…don’t you think you should tell him? I mean, he might want to know in case the baby turns eighteen and decides to look up his biological parents or something.
L: Hmm…I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll think about it. Oh, speaking of parents, I snagged a picture of me with the couple. They are like super private and don’t want me to post on my socials, but Leah said I could send the photo to you.
“I’m all done,” Rory said, walking up to the front of the room with his backpack over his shoulder. “I sent it to your email.”
“Okay, great.”
I set my cell down and was packing up when it vibrated again.
Rory looked down, and his smile fell. He snatched my phone off the desk and stared at the screen.
“What the hell is this,” he asked, his voice shaking.
“What do you mean? I thought you liked Lizzy?”
Rory turned my phone around to show me the picture of Lizzy with a pretty brunette. The two of them were smiling for the camera. She didn’t look much older than we were.
“Where was this taken?”
“The photo?”
“Yes,” Rory growled.
I held out my hand for my phone.
“You need to explain to me why you’re so angry before I tell you anything.”
“I’m sending this to myself first,” he said.
Pissed off, I marched around the desk, but not before I heard the telltale woosh of the photo being sent. His phone dinged a moment later.
“Excuse me, that was a private message. What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I yanked my phone out of his grip and pointed it at him like a weapon. “Tell me right now, what the hell is going on?”
Rory ran his hand through his hair, then sat on the edge of my desk, his backpack slipped from his shoulder and thumped on the ground.
He opened his phone and stared at the picture he’d sent himself.
He traced the image of the brunette, and I crossed my arms, officially annoyed for a whole new reason.
“Rory, I swear you better start talking.”
His eyes lifted to mine.
“Did Nash or anyone tell you what happened to my family?” I shook my head. “It’s a long story, but basically, my dad worked for Lawrence. We didn’t have a lot to offer, and Lawrence knew that. He took advantage of the situation. He…he um.”
Rory pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.
“Whenever he came to town, he would use my sister. He brutalized her and told my parents it was either that or he would send men to do worse before killing all of us. She’s four years older than I am, but I’ve always been protective of her.
The last time Lawrence visited, he hurt her so bad that we had to take her to the hospital.
I hated him. I told her that I was going to kill him.
She begged me not to. She didn’t want me to get hurt. ”
His voice shook, and I sat down beside him, putting my hand on his shoulder.
“Oh my god, Rory. I’m so sorry. Lawrence has hurt so many people, it feels like every time I turn around, I learn something else.”
“He was a fucking dick, and I’m so happy he’s dead. I wish I’d gotten to pull the trigger, but it’s enough that he is dead.”
I squeezed his shoulder, finally starting to understand him better. It also made sense why the guys trusted him.
“So, what happened?”
“After she got better, she withdrew and became a shell of who she was. Then, not long before I came to Wayward, she took off. Just left a note saying that she couldn’t take it anymore. She apologized and was gone.”
He held out his hand holding the phone and pointed at the girl with Lizzy.
“That’s my sister. I’ve been looking for her since the day she left. I’ve been terrified she was dead.”
My jaw dropped, and my eyes locked onto the photo.
“You’re positive?”
He nodded, tears falling down his cheeks.
“I thought you were pranking me with a mean joke.”
“God, no. I’d never do that,” I said.
“I know. I’m sorry, I just freaked out when I saw her.” He looked me in the eyes. “Please tell me where they are. I need to see her. I need to tell her that Lawrence is dead.”
I blew out a long, slow breath.
“Rory, I don’t want to sound like an asshole, but I have to talk to Liam first.”
His forehead wrinkled as he processed what I just said.
“This is a lot to take in, and I know that I should probably just trust what you’re saying, but…”
“You want to make sure my story is legit?”
“Yeah…I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be. I’m happy that my sister has a ring of people around her willing to protect her. Check with Liam,” he said, nodding.
“Okay, give me a minute.”
I walked away, my mind completely blown. Was the world really that small? For every dark and horrible thing I’d experienced, there had also been miracles that just couldn’t be explained.
Liam answered the phone, and I relayed what happened.
Rory stood by the window looking outside.
He tried to hide the fact that he was crying.
My heart broke for him and what his family had been through at the hands of Lawrence.
He said it best. It didn’t matter how he died, just that he couldn’t hurt us anymore.
“Yeah, his story checked out. He’s good to have the information,” Liam said, when I was done. “That is some crazy coincidence.”
“Right? Okay, thanks, Liam.”
I hung up, and Rory slowly turned around to face me.
“I’ll send you Lizzy’s address, but just so you know, she’s in Canada.”
A sad smile lifted the corner of Rory’s lips.
“I don’t care where she is, I love my sister, and I’m leaving as soon as I can book a plane ticket,” he said.
His phone dinged with the contact info.
“Ren, please don’t let them know I’m coming. I know that sounds weird, but I don’t want her to get spooked and run. Last Leah knew, I was working for Lawrence.”
Oh crap. Lizzy was upset that I’d shown Rory her social media. How the hell was she going to take him showing up on her doorstep? But I understood.
“Alright, I won’t say anything. But Rory…be prepared for your sister not to be ready to see you.”
He looked down at the floor.
“I have to try.”
“Then let’s get out of here so you can get going,” I said.
“Thank you, Ren,” he said as I grabbed my stuff and followed him out of the classroom.
The world certainly worked in mysterious ways.