Chapter Fifteen #2
Oren steps out of the shadows just as everyone spills onto the patio.
“Oren? What are you doing here?” Danika has her arms crossed and her hands tucked into the cuffs of her sweatshirt, bracing against the chill.
He takes a stumbling step in her direction with his arms out. “Baby.”
Danika rolls her eyes. She turns her back to him and moves to go inside.
“Where you going? I’m here. Like you asked.”
She spins around and stomps toward him until she’s inches away. “I don’t want you here now.”
Oren looks confused, swaying where he stands. Danika shoots him a disgusted look. He grabs her arm before she can turn away, whipping her back to face him. Danika nearly trips from the sudden force.
I’m on my feet.
Surprisingly, Gavin’s there first. “What do you think you’re doing?” Collin stands beside him. Jonathan hasn’t moved yet, shielding me. I sidestep so I can see around him, studying Danika’s face. She’s glaring at Oren.
“Who the hell are you?” Oren scans Gavin with a grimace of judgment.
Danika yanks her arm, but Oren tightens his grip. Danika flinches ever so slightly—but I notice. My feet are moving toward her. Jonathan keeps pace beside me.
Collin steps closer. “Hey, Oren. Good to see you, man. How’s the after-party going?”
“Huh?” Oren squints, not following Collin’s question. “It’s good. Just came to be with my girl.”
“That’s sweet of you, but we’re actually about to leave. Let the girls have their beauty sleep. Can I give you a ride somewhere?”
“All set. Thanks.” Oren yanks Danika after him, trying to escape into the dark. “Just talk to me.” Danika stumbles and nearly falls. I’m walking faster. Gavin reaches out to steady Danika. Oren practically growls at him. “What the hell you think you’re doing? Don’t touch her.”
Collin tries again. “Why don’t we go back to Livvy’s? I could use a keg stand right about now. What d’ya think?”
I’m beside Danika. She’s statue still, her blue eyes ablaze and her jaw taut. She’s murdering Oren with her glare. I slip my hand into her free one. Oren still has a vise grip on her other arm.
“Let her stay,” I plead quietly, trying to ease Danika away from him. My voice surprises Oren. Then he realizes what I’m doing. Interfering.
“Stay out of this.” He shoves against my chest, sending me backward. Losing Danika. Losing balance. Finding the ground. My hands grate against pebbles with a vicious sting.
Before Gavin or Collin can get to him, Jonathan has Oren up against the side of his truck in a blink. Ripped away from Danika and nearly the ground.
“No!” I shout just as Collin attempts to maneuver himself between the two explosive tempers. But there’s no room for him. Jonathan’s fist strikes Oren on the side of the head.
Danika and I scream out. I scramble to my feet. Gavin grips me around the waist to keep me from intervening. “Stop! Jonathan, please!”
But he doesn’t hear me because the same fist makes contact again and again. Oren goes limp. Before he can swing a fourth time, Collin pulls Jonathan back, arms bracing his shoulders. Oren collapses to the ground. Danika rushes to him. Her hands shake as she cradles his head.
Jonathan’s chest heaves. His fury still ablaze. His fists clenched into balls of steel by his sides.
“What’s going on out here?” Magda demands with authority from the open door.
Gavin releases me and smiles. “It’s all good.
Just the guys messing around, and it got out of hand.
” He walks toward her, wearing his politician grin.
“Sadie and I will clean up if you want to head to bed. It’s late.
The guys are leaving.” He ushers her inside, shooting a pointed glare in Jonathan’s direction before disappearing.
Oren begins to stir. Danika strokes his face, her eyes welling with tears. “Hey, babe. Are you okay?” Oren struggles to get up. Danika tries to help him up, lifting his arm over her shoulder. He jerks free, waving her away.
“I’ve got it.” He rises unsteadily on his own.
Jonathan hasn’t moved from where he’s been corralled by Collin, whose eyes flit between him, me and Oren.
“See you later, Oren,” Jaz calls from the patio, lighting up a cigarette. “You brought the show. Now it’s time for you to go.” Darcy giggles behind a cupped hand.
“We should get going too,” Collin murmurs to Jonathan.
Jonathan watches Oren falter down the driveway. A figure emerges from the shadows. A lollipop twirling between her fingers before popping into her mouth. She slides in next to Oren and accompanies him silently down the driveway. Not before turning with a finger wave in my direction.
Livvy. Always there, just out of view. I watch until they disappear.
Danika rushes into the house, fighting back tears. Jonathan finally turns toward me with a crumpled face of regret. “I—”
“Should go,” I finish with quiet authority, not sounding like myself. I must be in shock. My body isn’t reacting like it usually does when in distress. I’m much too calm.
Collin shoves his hands into his front pockets. “Happy birthday, Sadie. Memorable, as always.” He offers a weak smile.
Jonathan steps toward me. I back away; a chill erupts over my skin. The familiar palpitations begin their panicked rhythm, catching up with me. He turns abruptly and is in his truck with the engine running before Collin has a chance to open the door.
There’s a reason I leave every time a fight starts. There’s a reason I only ever see the aftermath and not the actual event. Because I never wanted to see this. The violence. His rage.
The truth.