Page 144 of Vying Girls

It’s a relief, honestly. I know what I saw but I can’t help but worry what the two of them get up to without me. Haz has a way of getting carried away, especially in bed, and with Tilda and her innate self-reproach, it wouldn’t take too much to go too far. I’m glad Haz knows when to say no. That punch was still a shock though, the meaty impact of it still ringing in my ears.

‘She’s going to be cutting herself right now,’ I say, my jaw clenched against the truth of that. I stare at the classroom door, willing it to open so we can get this over with.

‘I know.’ Yanking her ring off, Haz launches it over the edge. ‘Motherfucking thing.’

I wince, hoping no one’s walking below. ‘So, you’re saying this is all Nic’s fault?’

‘According to Tilda. We gotta put our foot down, man. This is all getting too fucked.’ Haz slams a fist on her thigh. ‘We’re getting it out of her. Tonight. And we’re sorting it for good.’

I nod, attention drawn back to the door when it opens.

Haz jumps up. ‘Fucking finally.’

‘Good luck, dude.’

She snorts quietly as she makes her way over. ‘Yeah. Don’t wait up.’

Nic

The house is silent but I know she’s here. I feel her presence like an ominous spirit, the dense energy hanging right over my head in Haz’s room. Hope she felt better after that fuck, glad I was alone to endure it. For once I felt nothing, not even a tingle.

I’ve been pacing down here ever since, hovering by the front door, not quite trusting her not to bolt again. It’s clear she’s impulsive when in a state and I can’t have her fucking off again. I doubt Damien’s skulking around here, not if he was sighted in Tilda’s town, but better not to chance it.

I just want my tent. I feel too much here.

You hurt me too.

Why was that so jarring to hear? Of course I hurt her. I’ve done it on purpose. I’ve wanted to. Is it because this time had consequences? Or is it something else, something softer?

Well, anyway. Here I am, doing my bit in keeping her safe like I promised Haz. She might as well have had me held at gunpoint with how her eyes had been spitting, all but threatening me to keep an eye on her girl. That hadn’t been necessary. I would have done it anyway.

I crane my head to the ceiling. Suppose I should go check on her. Haz and Elly have been gone a while.

Body heavy, I heave up the stairs. It really is like there’s a demon in Haz’s room. I stand outside in the dim corridor, imagining exorcisms and how Tilda would probably get off on them.

I knock and twist the handle, spotting Tilda on the bed. I snap my eyes away at the sight of her bare ass facing me, the place between her legs shadowy with her knees pulled to her chest.

‘Tilda.’ My voice is hoarse. I force myself to look, remembering that we’ve practically fucked twice. There are stark red lines on her thigh. New ones. I swallow against the unreasonable rage they conjure.

She murmurs in response, remaining as still as a corpse.

Damn. Must have been a good fucking.

Releasing my grip on the door handle, I cross over to the other side of the bed.

‘You good?’

Tilda nods. Then she moves her hand away from her face to answer aloud. ‘Yeah. I’m good.’

I frown, peering closer. It’s dark in here; Haz can rarely be fucked to open her curtains. ‘What’s on your mouth?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Tilda.’ I pull her hand away, exposing the cut on her mouth. Her lip’s swollen, blood crusted there. ‘Did Haz do that?’

Tilda hesitates. It’s obvious someone’s hit her. After a couple go arounds with Blakely, I know what a punch in the mouth looks like.

‘Was she wearing her fucking ring?’ My voice rises, unable to conceal my anger.