Page 94 of Rival

The three of us spend the rest of the night finishing the bottle without speaking. I’m certain we have a lot more to talk about, but not tonight. The last thing I remember before I pass out is thinking I’ll be able to find Edith tomorrow once I figure out where Ruth lives.

Chapter Forty-Two

Jaxon

I’m in so much pain that if I didn’t have Mason and Griffin eyeing me repeatedly, I’d slump over and let out a pathetic mewl.

Holding back my groan, I push myself to my feet and stretch my body out, wincing when I realize our fight last night took a bigger toll on my body than I expected. Aches in places I didn’t expect are rendering me practically useless, and I know it’ll be impossible for me to even pick up a pencil today.

The only thing bringing me any sort of relief is that they’re as fucked up as I am and moving just as slowly as they peel themselves from the floor of Paul’s bar.

“The hell time is it?” Griffin croaks out, rubbing a hand over his face, then stares at his palm as if it’s covered in shit. It probably is. This place isn’t exactly sterilized unless you consider the amount of alcohol that’s been spilled on the floor.

Squinting with one eye shut, Mason checks his phone, then his eyes go comically wide. “It’s almost fuckin’ noon!”

Both Griffin and I mutter and we all start gathering our things. I should probably go home and shower before even attempting to make things right with Edith, but I can’t wait.

As I head out, leaving the other two behind, something on the bar catches my eye. When I pick up the paper, I read the note left behind.

‘There are bottles of water in the fridge behind the bar and painkillers. I stuck them in there so you all wouldn’t have to go digging through my shit. I’d thank you for the entertaining night, but since I had to close early, I charged $200 on each of your cards. That includes alcohol, damages, and lost wages. Jaxon, I added an extra $50 to yours since you started earlier than the other two. — Paul’

Snorting, I hand the paper to Mason as he comes up to my side, reads quickly, then heads behind the bar to pull out the water and the pills. He hands the bottle over to me. Pouring out a few extra, I open the bottle of water he tossed to me and down them, then hand the pills to Griffin.

“I’m out.” My voice is scratchy from all the yelling last night and my lip stings from where it was split open as I take another long drink from the bottle. With a second bottle in my hand, I head toward the door, then squint from the sun when I wrench it open.

I don’t pay attention to who is behind me as I head toward my truck until a hand stops me. “You know where Ruth lives?”

Griffin’s eyes are red-rimmed from the whiskey, but it’s obvious he’s just as determined as I am.

Shaking off his grip, I nod once. “Yeah. I’m going over there now to talk to her. Edith, I mean.”

“Can I follow?”

Irritation takes over and I snap, “I need to talk to heralone.”

“Man, get off your high horse. You’re not the only one who has their hat thrown in the ring. I wastherewhen she got the shit kicked out of her. I need to make sure she’s alright, and honestly, there’s a good chance that baby is mine as well.”

“I’m comin’ too,” Mason calls out, heading to his own truck.

As much as I want to tell both of them to fuck off, I give in. “You can follow me.”

We’re all dragging as we pile in our own vehicles and the two of them stick close as I drive over to the Danielson house. Once I’m parked, I don’t wait for them as I climb the front steps and ring the doorbell.

It’s whipped open as if Ruth was waiting. The glare she’s leveling forces me to step back. For the first time, I’m not greeted with a smile or kind words, which I know is well deserved.

Swallowing down the nausea, I straighten my spine. “May I please speak with Edith?”

“She’s not here.”

That’s it, no explanation. The door starts to close, but Mason’s hand stops it just as he makes it to my side.

“Ruth, right? I’m Mason Cooper. It’s important that I find her.”

“We.” I roll my eyes at Griffin’s interjection. With a flashy smile, he adds, “Griffin Graham, ma’am. I was with her yesterday durin’ the incident. I’m sure she’ll want to see me. Would you let her know I’m here?”

The door swings open wider and Pastor Josiah comes into view with a sad smile. “Let them in, Ruthie. Doesn’t hurt to have a little chat.”

I swear, the little woman growls and steps back to allow us in. My eyes are flying over the space, but Edith isn’t anywhere in view. Finding the stairs, I head in that direction, thinking she’s hiding away in a room, but Ruth’s sharp voice stops me.