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I resent my text again to Clint, then slid my phone into my pocket. I’d feel it buzz if he texted back.
The guy arrived, holding out a purple and pink drink. “The bartender made it, assured me you’ll like it. Apparently, the girls go crazy for it, but I have no idea what it’s named. Here you go.”
My fingers closed around the glass, and I upped my smile. “Thanks.”
I swallowed.
The guy frowned. “You’re not going to try it? See if you like it?”
My heart picked up, going fast.
“I—”
He moved into my space again. “We didn’t exchange names before. I’m Matt.” He was giving me a once-over. “What’s your name? Do you live in the dorms?”
“I—”
“What the fuck?” a savage growl came out from the side.
Clint was there, looking thunderous. His gaze fixed firmly on me.
The guy stepped back but then shifted to get between Clint and me. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”
Clint ignored him, coming closer.
Matt started to put his drink down, his hands going up between us. “Don’t know who you are, but the girl is here of her free will. She can stay as long as she’d like, man.”
Clint kept glaring at me. “I’d like to let you know that your daughter woke up crying.”
“Daughter?” Matt looked my way.
Clint moved to his side. “Thankfully, your other two daughters didn’t wake up.”
“Two daughters?” Matt edged back a step. “You got three kids?”
“Twins,” Clint addressed him for the first time. “Ten month olds.”
Matt’s eyes bulged out.
Clint’s gaze went back to me, dropping to my stomach. “I found the pregnancy test. When were you going to tell me you’ve got another one coming?”
“Another one?” Matt was in retreat mode by now. He raised a hand, going through his hair, but he turned and ran.
Clint snorted. “See you later, nice to have not met you.” He eyed my drink. “Tell me you didn’t?”
I snorted. “I would never, and also, you were mom-shaming me. Dick move.”
He shrugged. “That kind of guy? I used the one thing that’d get rid of him fast. I could’ve gone with some sort of disease, but I’d have to make one up and the way he was looking at you, he would’ve been asking all sorts of questions to make sure he wouldn’t get anything from one night with a rubber.”
We began heading back out, going a way that Clint must’ve used getting inside. There were a couple guys watching us, but most were interested in their own conversations. Once we cut through a side door that opened outside, I tossed my drink before leaving the glass behind.
“Wait.” Clint grabbed it, using his shirt to wipe it down.
“Are you serious?”
“They’re going to be pissed. Trust me.”
Once I got to the car, I saw he was right.
The entire back seat was full to the brim, a large blanket covering all of it. In the passenger’s seat, he only left enough room for my feet.
“The trunk?”
“All filled.”
“Clint, there are cops.”
He motioned to the back, already driving away. “Hence the blankets.”
“They’re going to call the cops.”
An ugly laugh left him. “Guys like that, a frat like that, they don’t call the police.”
My mouth dried up. “How do you know?”
“Because they got worse shit in that house, and cops come, they’re not going to risk any of that getting seen no matter how well they think they hide it.”
“How do you know?”
Clint glanced over. I wasn’t looking at my cousin who liked to get into trouble. Not that cousin. This was a whole different one, the one getting in trouble wasn’t enough, not in this situation. He wanted to hurt and he was going to do it smart and calculating.
“Because a part of that scouting trip I did? I found their hiding spots.”
32
RAMSAY
Sunday night, I was at my desk in my room when my phone buzzed.
Unknown: What are you doing for the night?
I frowned, sitting up and texting back.
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: Theresa. What are you doing tonight?
I glanced at the time.
Me: Studying. What are you doing?
Theresa: We’re heading out to watch a fight. Not Scout’s. A different guy. Want to come?
Me: Fight?
Theresa: MMA. It’s not the official league, but easier to explain it that way. We can swing by, pick you up. You can be back around 2, if you need to know. I’d offer some condolences if that’s too late, but you don’t strike me as a girl who cares about curfew.
She was right, but only because my mom was working nights. If she wasn’t, I’d be staying in and being a good daughter.
Me: I’m in.
Theresa: 20 minutes. Just come out when we pull in.
I didn’t answer because I was already up and dressing.
Theresa texting to invite me was a big deal.
After not hanging out with them Friday at the game, I hadn’t heard from them all weekend. Gem texted during the game to make sure I was cool. I’d told her a bit of the story with my apologies. She seemed okay, telling me to have fun. Then Clint and I had showed up at Scout’s uncle’s gym with the booze. The rest of the night had been a lot more chill than I’d thought it was going to be.
