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“Shhh… it’s okay, Lex. Baby, tell me what happened. I don’t care who it is; I’ll end their fucking lives for hurting you,” he says against my temple, holding me close and rubbing small soothing circles over my back. He continues to mumble reassurances…and some pretty fucked up torture techniques he’s “always wanted to try,”… and before long, I’m laughing instead of crying.
Finally getting a hold of myself again, I pull out of his embrace and attempt to regain at least a modicum of composure. With as much dignity as I can muster, I crawl off his lap. Scrambling to my feet, I only now notice the lights are on in the mostly empty room, and I don’t remember turning them on. I’m surprised when I see someone else making themselves comfortable in what I have come to claim as my own personal safe space over the years. The other woman is sitting under the window smoking, and it looks like she has a black eye that stretches down over half her nose.
“Fuck, Ricki, are you okay?” Joey asks, walking her way once he’s on his feet again and notices her. He turns to look over at me, but I shoo him on. Obviously, they’re friends, and this girl looks like she needs him more than I do at the moment.
“Hey Joey, this the girl you never shut up about?” she asks, smiling and waving over at me slowly. I look at Joey and raise a brow. Then I grin when I see the faint red blush appear on his cheeks.
“This would be her. Ricki, I’d like you to meet Lexi,” Joey says, gesturing my way.
“Wish it was under better circumstances, Lexi, but it’s really nice to meet you,” Ricki says, taking another drag of his cigarette then blowing out the smoke.
“Nice to meet you,” I say, shuffling awkwardly, feeling out of place in my own sanctuary for the first time ever. Of course, I would have puffy cheeks and swollen eyes when introduced to one of Joey’s friends.
“What happened, Ricki?” Joey asks quietly. He bends to touch her cheek, but she winces, and he pulls his hand away.
Straightening up, he walks over my way and leans down, kissing me on the cheek, before whispering in my ear. “I am so sorry. I swear I want to hear all about what’s going on, but I need you to do me a favor. Take this,” he says, handing me his phone. “Walk down the hall and call my brother. Tell him it’s Ricki, and he needs to get here as soon as possible.”
I would do anything to help in this situation, mine suddenly seeming so frivolous now, so I nod, taking the phone and heading out to make the call. The minute I step out and close the door, I open Joey’s contacts and find his brother, Landon, hitting call. He answers on the first ring.
“What do you want, asshole?” Landon asks by way of greeting.
“Nothing if you’re going to be a dick about it,” I snipe back, then remember the reason I called.
“Oh, Lexi? Is that you? Sorry, I thought it was my brother… seeing as ya know, it’s his phone,” he says.
“I’m sorry… knee-jerk reaction, my mouth ran away from me. I actually do have a reason for calling,” I say, but he cuts me off.
“What’s wrong with Joey? Is he okay? Shit,” Landon starts.
“No, Joey is fine, I promise. It is someone else, though. I need you to get to the second-floor concession stand kitchen. Now. It’s Ricki,” I tell him.
“Fuck, shit. Three minutes,” he says before hanging up. This overwhelming concern for others must be a family trait. Two brothers in one day, chasing after a broken girl. Who knew?
