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“Joey, stop!” I yell at the top of my lungs, almost breathless, as I try to calm myself from the memories invading my brain.
Cain wraps his arms around me for comfort as Joey stops thrashing about, and I open my eyes to see hers filled with tears.
“What the hell happened to you?” she whispers.
I wince as I swallow hard while she glares at Cain.
“It wasn’t him, Joey. Stop it! He saved me.”
She instantly slumps her body against Rodberg, and he relaxes his grip on her slightly as she licks her lips, then takes a deep breath. “Okay… talk to me.”
I glance at Cain, and he leans in, pressing himself against me, letting me know he’s here for me no matter what. Fresh tears prickle the corners of my eyes, and Cain nods, taking the initiative.
“Last night, Makaylie went to leave the club. She made her way to the coat room by herself and was attacked. He forced himself on her, but I got there just in time before he…” His entire body tenses as he pauses.
Joey gasps as her hand flies to her mouth. “He tried to…” she trails off, and I nod as she shakes her head, letting out a small sob. “Jesus. What did the police say?”
Cain focuses on Rodberg as he exhales and looks back to Joey. “My buddy, Trap, was there. He handled the guy. I’m sure he’s looked after the situation just fine.”
Rodberg shifts from foot to foot, and Cain glares at him like he’s trying to gauge Rodberg’s reaction to this news. “Yeah, Trap knows what he’s doing. The guy will be dealt with by now,” Rodberg says, and I get the feeling that something is being said in these words and looks between friends.
That there’s more to this story—but I won’t ask.
If you don’t ask, then you don’t know.
And honestly, if what I thought I heard when we left that coat room was what I did hear, then you know what? I’m glad. Because a guy like that is only going to keep doing it, and if he isn’t alive anymore, then he can’t hurt any other women.
If that makes me a bad person for being happy he’s dead, then I’m glad to be a bad person right now.
“God, Kaylie, I’m so sorry. I wondered where you’d gone off to when I returned from the bathroom. I should have looked for you. I thought you were with Cain… and then he called and said everything was fine. You lied to me, you asshole! I should have never believed you. Fuck! I’m the worst friend ever.” Joey rushes out of Rodberg’s arms and straight for me. I reach out, embrace her, and let her hug me. The warmth of her embrace soothes me, and I feel calm in a moment of chaos.
“No, you’re not. No one knew that was going to happen. I’m just so glad Cain came to find me. If he wasn’t there, Joey…” I shake my head as I trail off.
Cain gently rubs my back as I cuddle into Joey while she nuzzles into my neck. “Okay, well, let’s get you home and showered,” Joey states.
Cain’s soothing hand on my back stops. “No. She’s not leaving my side. You can bring her some fresh pajamas and underwear. I’m going to watch her here. She’ll be safe.”
Joey pulls back slightly. “So what? You thinkIcan’t look after h-her?” Joey asks, her voice cracking like she’s hurt.
Cain raises his brow. “No offense, Joey, but two strapping men will have more luck guarding her than a single female who can’t even lay in a punch on me when she thought I had messed up her best friend.”
“Hey! I’d do anything to protect her,” she defends.
He nods. “I know, I don’t doubt that, Joey. But let’s be real. If someone broke into your apartment and tried it on with either of you, what good would you honestly be?”
I swallow hard as she slumps her body, folding her arms over her chest in annoyance and defeat. “Well, fuck… now I kinda don’t wanna stay there by myself,” she murmurs.
Glancing up at Cain, he looks at me, tilting his head. His face falls, and he shakes his head slightly as I plead with him through my eyes. “Fuck,” he murmurs. “Fine! Grab some stuff, and you can both stay here. But only for a little while. I don’t know where you’re going to sleep, though, Joey. We only have two bedrooms, and they’re both taken,” he says.
Rodberg smiles wide. “She can sleep with me,” Rodberg offers.
Joey snorts. “You can sleep on the sofa, and I’ll sleep in your bed,” she rebuts.
He scoffs. “Since when did I ever give you the impression I was a gentleman?”
Joey turns up her face and rolls her eyes. “Whatever! At least make me feel safe and come to my apartment with me to gather some of our shit.”
Rodberg raises his head and turns up his lip. “What’s in it for me?”
