Chapter 9 #3
“I’m so sorry baby girl. I promise I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again.
” I put her hand back down on the sofa and look at Jules.
“I have to go back to work now. I’d be a pretty shitty person if I left Chelsey to deal with this crowd by herself.
I want you to take Serena home, make sure she is safe, and then text me when you’re done. ”
Jules nods and takes out her cell phone and hands it over to me. “I’m serious. The moment she is settled, text me.” I enter my number into her contacts and turn my attention to my girl.
“Okay, okay.” She takes her phone back and puts it in her purse.
“Jules! I’m not fucking around.” My voice sharpens and my hands tighten around Serena’s leg, as if holding on to her will keep me grounded.
Jules takes my hand in both of hers and pats the top. “Isaac. I promise you, I will make sure she is safe.”
“And text me?” The worry in my voice is hard to hide as I pull her closer. I fucking hate that I can’t be the one to take her home tonight.
If it were up to me, she would be coming home with me.
“And text you.” Jules smiles and pulls her hands away. She leans down and kisses Serena on the cheek. We both pick her up from the sofa and lean her against Jules.
She takes Serena’s left arm and wraps it around her neck. Keirsten approaches and I let her trade spots with me and place Serena’s other arm around her neck for balance.
I walk them all out the back of the club. Serena said she was the designated driver for tonight, so I know her car is going to be with the valet.
Jules guides us to the car, and I make the split-second decision to drive them home. Gives me the chance to see where she lives, and I will be able to go back to work relieved, knowing for a fact that the girls made it home. Chelsey will just have to hold down the bar a little longer.
We cruise down I-5 with Keirsten in the passenger seat and Serena laying on Jules’ lap in the back seat of the car. My eyes darting to the rearview mirror every thirty seconds, just to make sure she was still breathing.
Eventually, we make it to Serena’s house.
I park the car in the driveway and help Keirsten and Jules walk her to the door. Jules takes the keys from me, and I lift Serena into my arms so that she can unlock the door. The door unlocks and I follow the girls inside.
It’s exactly as I pictured it would be. Open floor-plan where you can see the living room from the kitchen. The kitchen has white quartz countertops and light grey cabinets. Next to the oven hood are two glass cabinets on either side.
The kitchen island is generously sized with a sink in the middle and a bar on the other side.
The living room is quaint with a white sofa and two beige chairs on either side of the glass coffee table.
On the wall behind the sofa are built in shelves with pictures of Serena and her friends and family at Disney, the beach, and other various adventures. And books.
A shit ton of books.
Jules guides me to the back room at the end of the hallway. It’s cozy with a queen-sized bed. On one side of the bed is an end table with a picture of Serena and another guy. Short black hair, green eyes and scrawny. I’m assuming this is her boyfriend.
She deserves better.
I lay her down and brush her hair from her face. She stirs and opens her eyes.
“Isaac?”
“Shhhh. Yes baby girl, it’s me. You’re home now.” I caress her cheek and she leans into my hand.
“Am I dreaming?” she mumbles into my hand.
“Depends, do you often dream of me?”
“Mmmmm…. all the time.” A soft giggle escapes her lips and she smiles. She closes her eyes and her breathing steadies.
My Little Firecracker looks like an angel sleeping. What I wouldn’t give to stay with her tonight and watch over her. But I do have to get back to work. I’ve already been gone too long and I’m starting to feel a bit guilty leaving Chelsey alone.
Jules comes up behind me and puts her hand on the middle of my back. “I’ve got it from here Isaac.”
I reluctantly pull my hand away from her face and back away from the bed and let Jules take my spot next to Serena.
“Make sure she has plenty of fluids. She’s going to get sick from the withdrawal of the drugs, especially if she’s never done them before.
Keep a close eye on her and call me if you need anything.
” I walk to the bedroom door and stop when I hear Jules from the bed.
“Thank you for taking such good care of her, Isaac.”
“I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.” I continue out the door and to the living room where Keirsten is laying on the couch with a blanket. I want to ask her about what happened with Sydney, but that is going to have to wait for another time.
Closing the door behind me, I pull up the app on my phone and request an Uber.
My hands shake thinking about the past two hours. That’s twice now that Serena has been hurt in the club. Whether the drugs were an accident or intentional, it doesn’t fucking matter. Whoever did this to her will regret ever stepping into the club tonight.
Fuck. That reminds me, I still need to deal with David.
I roll my shoulders and crack my neck. It’s going to be a long fucking night.