“Mm-hmm,” Madeline hums as I debate whether or not to release the rest of my anger on Lee. “Did you know that Ryder and Brock . . . did the little whore?”
“Of course I did,” he admits as Ryder approaches. “It was impossible to fall asleep while these two fuckers were banging the shit outta her in the next room.” Lee grinds his pelvis against Madeline’s ass, his tone a high-pitched, mocking squeak. “Ryder, please don’t stop. Brock, yes. Oh God, Brock, right there.”
Ryder smacks him upside his head, his eyes drilling into Lee’s. “You’re an asshole.”
Lee shrugs. “Bro, Amber knows what happened. What’s the big deal?”
“Go take a walk before I make it a huge deal,” Brock grits out. “Now.”
Madeline drags him toward the exit. “You knew about what they did with her and didn’t say anything to me?”
Lee’s response is indistinguishable as they push through the crowd and out the doors.
I look at Brock. “You two really did share her.”
“Did.” Brock’s stare is pinned on mine as he brushes his knuckles along my jaw. “I haven’t messed around with her since the first time I talked to you, Ber.”
A tear slips down my cheek. “You expect me to believe that?”
“I swear to fucking God I haven’t,” he implores, sinking a nervous hand through his hair.
“He’s not lying.” Ryder’s words come out soft, his face tormented. “He cut shit off with her the second he saw you.”
Confusion and betrayal eat at the lining of my stomach, rotting away my trust. But more than anything, one emotion swells through my gut. One emotion I never thought I’d feel toward Hailey: jealousy. My heart its smorgasbord, it’s feasting on the muscle like a famished king as thoughts of that bitch enjoying their talents attack my head. She’s had what I haven’t. What I’ve craved. Visions of Brock kissing her, taking her, while Ryder indulges in some other part of her body freezes my blood.
I sniffle, trying to find my words. “Have you two done this with any other girls, and how many times did you both bang her together?”
“No, just her,” Brock whispers. “And I’m not sure how many times. Maybe a few over the summer.”
I hug my stomach, my watery gaze landing on Ryder.
Ryder lifts a tentative hand to my cheek, his finger soaking up a tear. “She was the only one,” he admits, his voice soft. “Are you all right?”
I step back, embarrassed that I’m crying. “Yeah. I’m fine. I just wanna get out of here.”
“Brock,” a deep voice calls.
A glance over my shoulder reveals the bouncer approaching.
“What’s up?” Brock hesitantly pulls his eyes from mine.
“My boss is vexed.” King Kong’s twin rubs a hand over his buzzed head, shaking it as he sighs. “It was bad enough I let you pummel Mike, but what just happened with your girl will get me fired if I don’t toss ya outta here. I’m sorry, man, but I got bills to pay.”
“Nah, I hear ya, bro.” Brock nods. “We were just getting ready to jet.”
“Cool.” King Kong slaps a hand over Ryder’s shoulder, mischief tap-dancing across his face. “I gotta make this look good, okay?”
Ryder spikes a brow. “Kevin, I don’t give a fuck how big you are. You touch me, I’m dropping your ass right here.”
“Come on, Ashcroft. You’re gonna deny me playing this the way I should?”
“You bet I am.”
“All good. I’ll make up for it at Saturday’s game.” Kevin turns on his heel, a chuckle rumbling from his chest. “Your quarterback ass is mine for the sacking. Now get outta here before you guys get me canned.”
A second of awkward silence stretches between the three of us before I head for the exit, my pulse rocketing with every step I take out into the parking lot. I pull in a deep breath, the chilled October air not much of a reprieve to my nerves as I lean against Brock’s Hummer. Emotions straddling the sharp edge of insanity, I peer up into the cloudless sky, the night washing over me like an angry wave as Brock and Ryder approach.
“Amber,” Ryder whispers, his throat tight, rough, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the way you found out about Hailey. Sorry for taking advantage of you.” He shoves a hand through his hair. “I’m just fucking sorry about everything, peach.”
The sincere remorse and vulnerability on his face drops me, confirming what I already knew. I’m nothing but poison to these men, a dangerous vine of fucked-upness spearing its ugly thorns through their flesh.
“God, Ryder, you didn’t take advantage of me. Please don’t apologize. You have no reason to be sorry.” I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand, sure I’m close to a mental breakdown. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
Ryder palms the back of his neck and stares at me for a few seconds, sending me an understanding look before nodding and walking away. Heart in my throat, I round the vehicle and open the door, exhaustion taking over as Brock gets in. Silence shrouds the air before Brock’s soft sigh laps at my senses. My breathing skids to a stop, goose bumps beating across my skin when he leans over the console, touching his lips to my temple.
He slowly pulls back, his green eyes beckoning my soul. “Hailey meant nothing to me, Amber. Nothing. The second I saw you, I knew you’d be mine. Needed you in my life. Our scars come in different shades, but they bind us together, baby. I know you can feel that. Can sense it when we’re together. I’m not trying to hurt you. I’d never intentionally do that. I—”