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The kick to my kidneys makes me choke on a cry. I struggle to breathe around the pain.
Jesus. What happened? Dad’s been sober for two months. Did he lose his job again?
“Get up, pussy. Fight back.” The alcohol on his breath is so strong I smell it from where I lie on the carpet. Not sober anymore, that’s for sure. “Get on your feet and fight me.”
I know I have to, if I want to survive. I try, but the room keeps spinning. Dad’s right hook is mean and something isn’t quite right with my head. I barely make it to my knees when he grabs me from my jacket and lifts me to my feet—only to slam his fist to my jaw again.
This is bad. This is really bad. I blink my watering eyes, but my vision isn’t clearing. I clench my fists and punch back anyway.
He laughs. “You’re a good for nothing. All I have left, and you’re not worth two cents. Worthless piece of shit.”
I manage to land a punch to his arm, and he laughs again, clearly amused.
“That’s all you got, boy?”
I try to free myself from his hold and he lets go—only now I can’t stand straight. I stumble sideways until my shoulder meets the wall. I swallow bile.
I see a dark blur coming at me and I raise my fists, protecting my already battered head. I fall back against the wall under the pummeling, and my knees buckle. I’m going down, but that doesn’t save me. Again he grabs me, again he lifts me to my feet.
This time when he punches me, I black out.
Chapter Five
Audrey
The apartment door closes with a soft click. I frown, trying to see over Tessa’s blond head. Where’s Ash?
I’m still reeling from the kiss. Sweet and soft and reminding me how much I missed him.
I wait until Tessa has finished taking off her coat and settles on the sofa next to me before I reply.
“I never said I hated him,” I say. “It was difficult seeing him, that’s all. But I’m better now. He was awesome tonight. Made me feel real bad for the way I’ve been behaving toward him.”
He saved me. He held me. I want to tell Tessa all these things, but not now, with Ash still here.
“I told you so,” Tessa says smugly and I decide to let her gloat.
“Where is he?” I try again to see past my friend’s happy face. He’s still here, isn’t he? Has he gone to the bathroom?
She twists around. “He was right there.”
But he isn’t anymore.
The realization sinks in. He left. I heard the door but didn’t think... He left without saying goodbye. Shutting me out once more.
Clamping down on the disappointment, I let out a breath. What did I think would happen? I’ve treated him like he doesn’t exist. Correction: I treated him like dirt the two times I saw him, or like the plague. I avoided him, ran away from him. He helped me tonight, saved me. He did his part like any good person would.
A good person. Under that bad boy persona is a good guy. Zane was right. As for leaving... Can I blame him? For this and the last time, so long ago?
Ah yeah. Deep inside I still can. I saw him kiss many other girls over the years, but he never wanted to try again with me, and that stung.
But I can’t deny the truth anymore: I’m still in love with Ash.
Shit.
“How come you’re here?” I clasp Tessa’s hand in mine and try not to think how much her timing sucks. “I thought Mondays you studied Spanish with Erin.”
Erin’s a sophomore. I have a vague impression she should be a junior by now, because I’m pretty sure she’s two years older than me, but I can’t swear on it. She’s helping Tessa out with some courses. They’re good friends, apparently. I didn’t know that before moving back to Madison.
