Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“You made it!” Shaun comes out from the crowd and gives me a half hug, half slap on the back. “Come watch me play beer pong.”
“I’m not staying long,” I tell Shaun, but Jack cuts in.
“Don’t worry about Shaun, he's just pissed Desha is the new wide receiver.” Jack cackles at his own joke, but I see Shaun roll his eyes and try not to react.
“What’s he talking about?” I ask Shaun, but he shakes his head.
“Nothing, she’s a free agent. As am I.” He emphasizes the last part just as a girl that I’m pretty sure is a junior walks between us. He stares at her ass and licks his lips. “Speaking of, I think it’s time I try out some new recruits.”
Shaun takes off before I can say anything else to him, but Jack is there being all buddy-buddy again. “Come on, hang out with us. Enjoy your drink.” He keeps looking at my cup as he sips his own.
Something about this feels wrong, not only because Rosie isn’t with me, but Jack isn’t my friend. He’s never been my friend, and I know the only reason he would pretend to be one now is to get something. Maybe it’s better that I know what’s happening instead of running out of here. What would happen if I took Jack head on?
Bringing the cup to my lips, I pretend to take a big gulp and swallow. When I’m finished, I hold the cup close to me so Jack can’t see inside. I must have done it well enough because his eyes light up when he thinks I’ve drunk some of the punch. The way he’s looking at me tells me all I need to know. Something is in this fucking drink.
A couple of other teammates come over, and Jack goes into ultra bro mode. While they’re all distracted with taking shots, I see a plant nearby and secretly pour my drink into it before Jack has a chance to notice.
I’m careful to stay close to him and not react, but it doesn’t take long for him to start watching me closely. Soon enough, he sees that my cup is empty, and he’s practically giddy.
“Did he drink it all?” Someone I don’t recognize comes over, and Jack nods eagerly.
“You want to sit down?” Jack asks me, and I nod, pretending to be a little wobbly. “Right here, big guy. Go ahead and take a little nap while you’re at it.”
I sit on the couch, and Jack starts talking to the stranger again, but I pretend not to notice.
“Are you sure you gave him enough?”
“Yeah, it’s enough to take down a horse.”
“And it will show up on a drug test, right?” Jack asks the guy.
“Yep. One random screening, and he’s done for.”
I decide to let my eyes close a little like I’m going to sleep to see if he’ll say anything else.
“He’s almost out.” Jack turns away from me, and I see Desha walking over.
My heart is hammering in my chest because Rosie isn’t with her.
“Did you give it to her?” Jack asks Desha, and she nods.
“Of course, but we’ve got a problem.” Desha looks around and then leans close to Jack. “I think your dad might have gotten to her first. I saw her go upstairs, and he shut the door.”
“Goddamn it,” Jack says, and everything in my body turns to ice. “He can’t keep his dick in his pants. First he fucks that slut she calls a mom and now her?”
Not my Rosie.
I’m off the couch in a flash with my shoulder lowered as I crash into Jack. I hit him so hard that when I make contact, the air is knocked out of his lungs. He goes flying into the wall, and the sheetrock behind him fractures and crumbles.
People around us scream, and the music stops as everyone backs away. Jack is nearly unconscious as I leave him on the ground and turn to face Desha.
“Where is she?!” I roar, and Desha looks like she might throw up or shit herself. She points a shaky finger toward the stairs, and I take off in that direction.
It feels like time has stopped moving as I climb the stairs and pray that I can get to her in time. I noticed a few people had their phones out filming me, but I don’t give a fuck. Nothing else matters, nothing but my Rosie.
“Rosie!” I scream when I bust through the door at the top of the stairs. I see another door nearby, and I don’t hesitate before I kick that one in too.
The scene that greets me is like something out of my nightmares. Rosie is crumpled on the floor, passed out, and Jack’s dad Nathan is standing over her. She’s still fully dressed, but then I notice his pants are down around his ankles. His underwear is still on, but I know that if I hadn't gotten here soon enough, there’s only one way this would have gone.