The Twisted Series The Complete Set, page 58
part #1 of Twisted Series
Danny leaned over and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug as my body shook with each breath. I buried my face in her hair and tried to control it, but I couldn’t. I was having a panic attack. I hadn’t had one in years and the last one had been brought on when I found out my father died, but I knew what it was. I could feel the pounding of my heart and the way my body felt so out of control.
“Shh…. Just breathe,” Danny said in a soothing tone.
I closed my eyes and did what she said. Breathe in through my nose and out my mouth. Over and over until I could feel my heart starting to slow with each breath. It seemed like hours, but it might have only been seconds before I was breathing normally again, and my heart didn’t feel like it was going to explode straight out of my chest. I didn’t move though, and Danny didn’t loosen her hug on me.
I feared what might happen if she did, so I reached up and wrapped my arms around her. We stayed that way for what seemed like forever, not speaking, just holding onto each other. And it was at that moment, that very second, that I felt a little piece of the truth break free.
And it was worse than the lie, because the truth was…Danny wasn’t the person who could hold me together at this very moment.
And neither was Miles.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jax
Thursday nights at Twisted sucked. Well, any night between tonight and Saturday were the worst. People always got more out of control the closer the weekend got, which meant that my job was a lot fucking harder. It was barely after eleven and I had already been punched, slapped, and some chick even tried to bite me for throwing her man out for fighting. I ended up throwing her crazy ass out with him after that.
Normally, I wouldn’t mind a chick biting me if that was what she wanted, but not one that looked like that dude’s woman. I felt like I needed to get tested for every STD known to man just by touching her.
I stood in the corner of the bar, watching the crowd as these thoughts ran through my head. I seriously should have thought about taking another Xanax before coming to work tonight. It would have made the whole experience a lot easier to handle, but I had chosen not to.
I honestly had no idea why either. I could tell myself that it was because I wanted to be the better version of myself, but that was bullshit.
My choice to leave the house without them hadn’t been for me at all.
There was only person who had made me feel like I didn’t need the Xanax and that had been Ray, but she wasn’t even here, so even if she was the reason, I wasn’t taking them right now, I had no fucking idea why. I honestly didn’t even want to know the reason why.
“Inside Out” by Eve 6 started playing through the bar and I blinked as the lights switched to match up with the beat. People started dancing and some even tried singing, which sounded ridiculous.
I took a deep breath and leaned against the wall as I scanned the wild crowd, patiently waiting for that one dumbass that got a little too rowdy. I complained about the crazy ones, but then when it died down to just the sick drunk stage, shit got way less exciting. I couldn’t count how many people I’d seen not make it to the bathroom in time and that was not something anyone liked to see.
Finally, I got bored standing around waiting and pushed off the wall to head toward the bar. I spotted Rachel filling shots left and right, trying to tend to every customer sitting there. I arched an eyebrow at her as she dropped a shot glass and it shattered on the floor. I could see her shoulders lift and drop in a heavy sigh, and I knew she was stressed to the max trying to keep up with the demanding crowd.
I hadn’t done it since before Miles got hired, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t. I slid around the bar and asked the first customer I saw what they wanted.
“Three shots of Fireball,” the dude said.
I nodded, grabbed the shot glasses, and placed them on the bar. Next, I grabbed the bottle of Fireball Whisky and poured each shot, filling them to the right amount before I slid them over to the guy. He nodded and grabbed all three, leaving his cash on the bar. I took it and placed it in the register that was on my side of the bar.
When I looked up, I saw Rachel staring at me. She smiled in appreciation and then went back to work. I was about to ask the next customer what they wanted when I spotted a photo taped to the back wall, next to all the others that had been taken in Twisted, including some of the whole group. This photo was one of Miles, and me a few months after he had started. We stood side by side with our beers held in the air. I reached up and grabbed the picture, yanking it off the board it had been taped to.
I tried to remember that day. It felt like so long ago, and I was staring at two complete strangers. The Miles I knew in this photo wasn’t the same one I knew now and there was no doubt in my mind that he could say the same thing about me. I felt it then, the anger I had felt the moment I found out he hurt Ray. I shouldn’t feel this type of anger over my best friend’s wife. I should be giving him advice, backing him up, anything other than what I was feeling right now.
But I couldn’t stop the anger as it raced like lightning in my veins, flaring hot throughout my body.
It was there and I had no fucking clue how it even started in the first place or how I was supposed to shut it off. I clench my hand into a fist, crushing the photo between it and closed my eyes as I tried to control the rage that had somehow buried itself in my mind.
I released a slow breath and shoved the photo inside the pocket of my jeans before I opened my eyes again. I couldn’t let anyone else see that rage or people would start asking questions.
Ones I didn’t have the answers to.
I turned to the next customer and tried to keep my mind off it entirely by keeping myself busy. For the next several hours, I bartend and keep a close eye on the crowd. To my surprise, there hadn’t been another fight since the last one I broke up and before I knew it, it was after 1am. The place had pretty much cleared out and we were all stuck cleaning up the mess they left the last hour.
When everything was finally in order and we were on our way out the door, Rachel fell into step beside me. She nudged me with her shoulder. “Thanks for helping out at the bar tonight,” She said as we came outside, and she pulled the keys out to lock up the place.
I could hear Kevin’s truck start somewhere behind me as I waited for her to get done. “No problem. I wasn’t doing anything else,” I said.
She turned to face me. “Well, thanks. I was having a bit of a rough time up there alone,” she said.
I chuckled. “I noticed.”
“I will be glad when Miles gets back. I know he’s the owner, but I will still kick his ass if he doesn’t help me out,” she said.
“Good luck with that,” I said.
Rachel arched an eyebrow at me. “Is everything okay with you?”
“Yep,” I said.
I could tell she didn’t believe me, but she didn’t ask about it. “Ok, well goodnight Jaxson,” she said and then headed off toward her car.
“Goodnight,” I said and then headed off toward my car, which was parked on the opposite side of where she and Kevin had parked.
I pulled my keys out, unlocked it, and got in. I sat there a minute before I started the engine and shifted into gear, backing out of the parking space. It wasn’t until I had pulled out onto the road that I felt my phone vibrate from inside my pocket.
I switched hands on the steering wheel and pulled it free with the other hand to see a text message. I read it as I glanced from my phone to the road.
Ray-I need to tell you something.
I sighed and pulled into the first empty parking lot I found. I put my car in park and typed a quick message back to her.
Me-Ok. When? Does this need to be something we talk about in person?
It didn’t take her long to respond.
Ray-Yes, and we can talk now. I’m at the house. Can you come here? I really don’t feel like getting out again. It’s been a long day.
Me-What about Danny? Isn’t she there?
Ray-Yeah, but she’s asleep. She won’t wake up.
Me-Are you sure about this?
Ray-Just come over. I really need to talk to you.
Me-Ok, I’ll be there in a little bit.
Ray-Thank you.
Me-No problem.
I threw my phone into the center console and reached up to shift into gear when I saw someone pull in behind me. They stopped close enough to the back of my car that their lights glared in my mirrors. I blocked my eyes from the brightness, but it didn’t take me long to realize who it was when I heard the bass from the music he was playing.
Jared.
“Shit,” I said and then rolled my window down as I saw someone get out of the front seat.
I had no idea what the hell Jared wanted, but I didn’t have time for his shit either. I let my head fall back against the seat as one of his bodyguards reached my window. He taped on the rim of the window with the tip of what I realized was a bat. I lifted my head and looked up as he leaned down to level his gaze with mine.
“Get out,” he said.
“What the hell do you want?” I asked.
He stared at me. “Get the fuck out of the car before I put this bat through your damn windshield.”
“If you put that bat through my windshield, I’ll shove it up your ass afterwards,” I said firmly.
He didn’t say anything then and I heard a tap on the passenger side window. I turned to look and saw another guy standing there, waiting for it to come down. I sighed and rolled that one down too, but unlike the dude on my left, this guy pointed a gun into the window and leaned down to level his gaze with mine.
“If I was you, I would get the fuck out of the car,” he said and then tilted the gun sideways, aiming it straight at me.
“Alright, fuck,” I said and then shoved my door open.
The dude standing there barely had enough time to move as I stepped out. I didn’t really feel like getting shot tonight, so I knew I had no choice. The two guys followed behind me as I made my way to Jared’s SUV. I watched as the back window rolled down when I approached, and Jared leaned up to look out at me.
“Jaxson, buddy…” he said.
I stood firm and remained silent.
“Aw, not up for a conversation? Well, me either. I just want to know one thing and then we can all go on with our night,” he said.
I waited.
Jared shook his head. “I can’t believe I even have to ask this. I mean you were always so trustworthy before,” he said in fake disappointment.
“What the hell do you want, Jared?” I asked, tired of his shit already.
His face turned angry. “What the hell do I want? I want my fucking money, Jaxson,” he said.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. I paid you already,” I said.
He laughed, “Now don’t play games with me. You shorted me two grand. It took me a little bit to catch it, but I did.”
I really had no idea what the hell he was talking about, but out of the corner of my eyes, I saw the two guys behind me close in around me.
“Jared, I didn’t short you anything. I paid in full, just like I always do,” I said.
He stared at me for what felt like forever and then he spoke, “Bullshit, but there is one way we can settle this,” he said with a grin and then I watched as his eyes met the guys on the left. He nodded as if he were giving him permission.
I barely had time to register what was about to happen before the guy on my left hit me directly in the temple with the edge of his gun.
And then everything went dark.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ray
I sat on the couch in complete darkness with a blanket over my legs. The moonlight shined through the window, casting a glow over the living room as I stared at the books that lined the bookshelf directly across from me. The only sound I could hear was the ticking of the clock that hung on the wall as it counted down the minutes until 3 am struck.
My mind raced with thoughts as I tried to sort through everything that has happened. Starting with my marriage, all that happened in between, and ending with when I lost it on my mother. I tried to make sense of all the crap that had gone down, but my mind couldn’t figure it out. I had no idea what card life was playing at this moment, but I hated it.
Everything seemed so out of place. Like my life wasn’t mine anymore.
I hadn’t waited around in Florida. It had made for a really long day, but I couldn’t stay down there another second. I wanted to be home, so after me and Danny left my mother’s house, we drove the six hours back to Hampton. I had only been home an hour or so when I had texted Jax to come over. I wasn’t sure how I was going to go about the conversation I wanted to have with him, but I had to start somewhere.
I had to figure this out.
I checked the time again. It had been an hour since I texted him. He should have been here by now. I knew it didn’t take that long to get here from Twisted.
I grabbed my phone from the coffee table and pressed the button on the side to light up the screen. I unlocked it, scrolled through my contacts until I found his number, and dialed it. My heart did a flip as I held the phone to my ear, listening to it ring.
And ring.
I started chewing on my nails as I waited for him to answer, but he never did. It went to voicemail and a concerned feeling settled deep inside my stomach. It wasn’t like him to just straight up ignore me, or anyone for that matter. My mind went to the worst-case scenario. Like he got into an accident or he just didn’t want to hear what I had to tell him.
Something had happened. I could feel it.
Like a pressure building inside my chest.
I stopped chewing on my nails and kicked the blanket off. I stood up, with my phone still in my hand, and went to grab my shoes. After I got them on, I grabbed my keys off the counter and headed out the door. I couldn’t just sit around anymore. I had to find him.
I jumped in my car and started the engine. I headed for the last place I knew he would be. Twisted. On my way, the roads were empty of cars and the sidewalks didn’t have a single soul around. I was so focused on the drive and my own thoughts that I almost didn’t see it until it was too late.
To my right, a car sat in an empty parking lot with the lights still on. It wasn’t until I nearly got right up on it that I realized whose car it was.
Jax’s.
I slammed on the brakes and whipped into the parking lot, nearly jarring myself to death as I did. I eased up behind his car and that was when I saw him. Jaxson was on the ground, lying on his side, next to the driver’s side door.
“Oh my god,” I whispered to myself as my heart shot through the roof.
I shoved my car into park and kicked the door open, leaving it that way as I jog toward him. It wasn’t until I reached him that I saw everything.
Jaxson had a cut on the side of his head, a busted lip and even in the dim light that the night sky offered, I could already see the bruise under his right eye. The wounds were bleeding, like they had been freshly made, and he was holding his side with one hand. His eyes were closed, and he was breathing, but quicker than what was normal.
“Jaxson, oh my god. What happened to you? I’m going to call 911,” I said as I kneeled beside him. I didn’t touch him, afraid of what I might hurt if I did. I was about to race back to my car to grab my phone, but Jaxson grabbed my arm with the hand that wasn’t holding his side and my eyes met his.
They were open now, but full of pain as he tried to speak. “Don’t…don’t call…” Jaxson closed his eyes as he flinched like it hurt to even speak and then opened them again once that pain passed, “Please, don’t call them,” he said.
My heart ached with both sadness and anger. I wanted to know who did this to him, but I also hated seeing it for myself, because I already knew what this was about.
“Jaxson,” I said his name with a warning, but he kept his gaze steady with mine.
“Please, Ray…” he begged.
I fought with myself over it. Part of me wanted to call the cops, because I knew they would be able to find out the truth, but then another part of me wanted to do what Jaxson wanted me to. Finally, I decided and nodded at him, settling on keeping it on the down low.
For now.
“Let me help you up,” I said.
Jaxson nodded as I grabbed his arm. I lifted with everything I had in me to get him off the ground. My muscles strained under his weight until he finally got to his feet and leaned against his car. I took a deep breath and stepped back.
He still held one hand on his side, but then he lifted his gaze to mine. “Thank you,” he said.
I stared at him. “Jaxson, you wouldn’t have to thank me if you hadn’t got yourself into trouble in the first place. Look at you. Whoever did this to you could have killed you,” I said with more anger than what I had intended on. I was angry, because I couldn’t lose him. I was angry, because his safety didn’t seem to matter that much to him, but it mattered to me.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” he said.
I laughed, but it held no humor. “You’re damn right it wasn’t supposed to, but you know, that’s what happens when you get mixed up in drugs.”
It was out before I could stop it. I sucked in a breath and covered my hand with my mouth as I stared into his eyes. He didn’t look angry or really anything. His expression remained emotionless.
“How’d you know?” he asked calmly.
I dropped my hand back to my side and shrugged. “I don’t know. I grew up around that and I guess I just knew the signs.”
“Why didn’t you call me out on it when you noticed?”
“I didn’t know how, and I didn’t want to lose you by saying anything,” I said truthfully.
Jaxson stared into my eyes like he was trying to figure me out. As we stood there, I realized that even with the busted lip and black eye, he was still a gorgeous man. It wasn’t like I couldn’t see that. I had always been able to see that, but it wasn’t until I really got to know him that I realized he was just as gorgeous on the inside as he was on the outside.
