Page 85 of Deceptive Games

I couldn’t hear what was being said, and apparently neither could he since he patted my leg to stand before stalking from the room and motioning to Diesel and one of the other Psychos to stay.

I held up the almost empty bottle of whiskey and waved it at Diesel with a grin. “Thank you.”

He nodded with a smile but kept his eyes on our surroundings, looking for trouble.

By the time Skeeter came back, Tyler and I were making out and enjoying the cocaine way too much, but my mood instantly soured when Skeeter spoke to Diesel.

“Yeah, he’s on the way. Still sounds like he’s in a shitty mood though.”

“Who?” I asked, pulling away from Tyler to look up at Skeeter.

“Slash. I told him to be nice or I’d kill him for ruining your birthday,” he promised, having no idea that his boss already fucking had.

“I’m going to grab another drink,” I said as I stood, and Tyler frowned as I took off, needing to calm the panic inside of me before anyone noticed.

How dare Slash come here after what he did earlier today.

The anger mixed with slight fear of what he was going to do, and part of me wondered if I could leave discreetly before he arrived. I didn’t want to face him, I wasn’t ready for that.

I used the bathroom for five seconds of peace, then I grabbed more whiskey from the cupboard and headed outside for some fresh air.

Thankfully, no one seemed to notice I’d come out here, so I toed off my shoes and rolled up my jeans, sitting on the edge of the pool to put my feet in the water.

I lit a cigarette and took a few minutes to get my shit together. Hopefully, by the time I went back inside, Slash had been here and gone again.

I was on my third cigarette when I heard footsteps behind me, knowing the guys would’ve noticed me gone eventually.

“I didn’t run away,” I joked, peering over my shoulder and freezing when I noticed it was Slash.

“Rory, I—” His voice sounded raw like he’d been yelling for hours, but I didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“I want you to leave,” I spat, getting to my feet to glare at him. “Now.”

“Please, I didn’t know it was your birthday,” he insisted, making me snort.

“So you wouldn’t have cared if it was any other day? Did you really come here to say sorry? You didn’t trip me in the hallway or dent my car. You fucking raped me!” I snapped, his body recoiling like I’d slapped him.

“I didn’t mean— Fuck. I don’t know what to say, I just wish I could take it back,” he gritted out, fisting his hair with frustration. “I don’t believe in punishments like that. I?—”

“There was nothing to punish me for! You don’t have to like everyone in your life. Those you hate don’t need to feel your wrath. You could’ve continued hating me silently.”

“Why haven’t you told him?” he asked quietly, flicking his gaze towards the door to make sure we were still alone.

“How do you know I haven't?”

“Because there’s no way I would’ve walked through that house if he knew. Please, I’m really fucking sorry.” He was practically begging, and I sneered at him as I went to walk past, my whole body going stiff as he reached out to grab my wrist, stopping me. “Please.”

“Don’t fucking touch me!” I shouted, angry tears burning my eyes as he held on. “Get your hands off me!”

I swung the bottle at him and he blocked it, the glass slipping from my hands and smashing on the concrete close by.

“Hey, I’m not going to hurt you,” he murmured as he hauled me closer. A shudder rolled through me as he hesitated before reaching out his free hand to my face, running his fingers through my hair slightly. “I’m sorry.”

I wanted to push him away, punch him, and kiss him at the same time. Part of me wanted to relax into his hold, but the other part of me knew he was nothing but a monster.

He barely reacted when I swung my fist at his face, connecting with his cheek as I yanked back, his grip finally loosening.

“Stay the fuck away from me. I don’t care if you’re sorry,” I said with a dry laugh, shaking my head a little. “Congratulations on proving that you’re stronger than me. But you know what? You didn’t fucking break me, and you never fucking will.”