Fourteen #3
“A few, why?” Bray says. I tell them about Alyssa being stalked, about what that motherfucker did to her, how scared she was. “Get the few we know a message for me. I will make weekly deposits into their funds account for the rest of their time if they make the fucker bleed.”
“On it,” Dean says, tapping away at his phone.
I look over at Bray, noticing him deep in thought. “You good, man?” I ask.
“Yeah.” Shaking his head, he then says, “I don’t know. How can you have one of the best experiences of your life, and then nothing? I mean, I get it might have freaked her out with me getting arrested the next morning and all. But that was for a fucking good cause if you ask me.”
“I can’t thank you enough for what you did for Alyssa at the club when that asshole slapped her. Have you told Reilly that they arrested you because the jerk pressed charges?”
He shakes his head, pulling at his hair. “If I tell her, she will tell Alyssa, and I don’t want Alyssa to feel responsible or some shit.”
“I get you not wanting to tell her, but if she asks me flat out, I can’t lie to her, man,” I declare.
“I know. I don’t expect you to. What do you think all that’s about?” Bray asks, pointing at the squashed bunch of roses on the coffee table. I pick up the card lying next to it.
Dear Alyssa,
Condolences on your future loss.
xxx
“Fuck, I don’t know, man, but I intend to find out. God help the fucker who thinks he can fuck with what’s mine.” I throw the card down, running my hands through my hair. “You should have seen her… She was so fucking scared. I felt like a part of my soul was breaking as she clung to me.”
“Well, considering you let Reilly drive the fucking McLaren, I thought you must have lost your damn mind.”
Hearing footsteps come down the hall, I look up to see Ella. Her face, bruised and battered, makes me want to murder the fucker who hurt her again. Standing, I walk to her and wrap her in my arms, kissing her temple.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart? Do you need anything?”
Wrapping her arms around me, she looks up. “I’m good, Zac, really. I just want to forget everything and get ready to leave for Uni in a few months.”
“Don’t remind me you’re growing up, dammit.” I let her go, and then her words repeat in my head: Leave for Uni. “Wait, what the hell do you mean leave for Uni? I thought you chose to go to ACU here in Sydney?” I ask.
“I am, but I thought it would be good to live on campus, get the total experience,” she says with a hitch to her voice.
Bray and Dean both speak up. “No.”
Ella stomps her foot, staring them down. “What do you mean no? Don’t answer that, because it’s not up to you two baboons. I can make my own damn decisions.”
“Ella, honey, wouldn’t you be more comfortable living here, in your home, while you study?” I plead. I’m not ready for her to leave. I’ve been raising her since she was thirteen. Even if I was only twenty at the time, I had to step up and go from brother to guardian.
“Please, Zac, I’ve thought about this a lot. I really, really want to live on campus. You can come check the place out; it’s an all-girls dorm, with high security and everything. I’ll come back on weekends and semester breaks. You won’t even notice I’m gone. Please don’t take this away from me.”
Dammit, she’s pleading with teary eyes. She knows I can’t say no to her when she looks at me like that.
“Don’t cave, man. Don’t look at that angelic face and give in.
You’re stronger than that, bro,” Bray says.
I can’t do it. Pulling Ella back into my arms gently, I answer, “Okay, I’ll check out the dorm building, and you will come home every weekend and semester break.
I know things are changing around here, but this is your home, Ella. You will always belong here.”
“Thank you, Zac,” she whispers. “Whipped,” Dean and Bray say.
The fuckers would not have been able to say no either. I’ve seen Ella work her magic on both of them before. I flip them off. “Shut the fuck up. If she wants the full experience, she will get it.”
“How’s Alyssa?” Ella changes the subject so well. “She’ll be okay. Thank you for making her food. I know she appreciates it. I appreciate it.”
She looks up to me. “You know, she’s a lucky girl to have you. I hope I find a guy as great as you one day.”
“I’m the lucky one, Ella, and there is no guy out there good enough for you. I pity any fool who thinks he is.”
Ella flinches in my arms and Dean gets up, mumbling something about things to do, and leaves.
I raise my eyebrows at Bray and ask, “What the fuck is that about?”
He raises his shoulders up and down. “No idea, man, but I gotta run also. You good?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m not going to make it into the club tonight. Can you take over for me?” I ask, eliciting surprised looks from both Ella and Bray.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Bray says as he places his hand to my forehead.
I swipe his hand away. “I’m fine. I just can’t leave Alyssa tonight. It’s one night, Bray. I’m sure the club will survive.”
With that, I walk back to my bedroom, ready to kick three feisty females out of it.