I turned my head, even though I could barely make her out in the dark. “Why were you with him anyway? I mean, I get slumming if the dude had a talented dick, but from the sounds of it…”
Her sigh sounded defeated. “My parents are friendly with his. They thought we would make a lovely match.”
“And…?” I didn’t get it.
“And that’s it. My parents mean the world to me. I don’t ever let them down. So, I dated their friends’ creepy son. Tomorrow morning, I have to break the news over brunch that it’s over. Wee!” She draped her arm over my stomach. “If you try to pity me after I just chased my boyfriend from your room with a bat, I won’t be able to stand it. Everyone has family shit they deal with. Mine is mine. Yours is yours.”
“Okay.” I laid my hand on her arm. “Thanks for—”
“Don’t even try it, bitch. You do not thank me for that.”
“Okay, but I’m thinking it.”
She laughed softly. “That’s fine, as long as I don’t have to face your unearned gratitude. Gross. By the way, I get the bat thing. I’ll be acquiring one of my own ASAP. We should get Zadie one too. She’d look so freaking cute chasing bad boys away, wouldn’t she? Penelope should probably also have one for when Gabe gets too comfortable.”
I snorted, not even close to processing how I was in bed with Elena Sanderson, kind of snuggling. If I tried to wrap my head around it, my head would undoubtedly explode. I focused on the fact that I felt safe and calm and in control. Then, I went to sleep.
* * *
“Where is it? Where the fuck is it?” I yanked my entire underwear drawer out of my dresser and dumped the contents on my bed. My lockbox was there, but it was painfully empty. All that work, those late nights, missing sleep, getting my ass groped, filthy old men and entitled young ones—all for nothing. Nothing.
Zadie was hovering inside my door, watching me destroy my room. She’d tried to help at first, but when I became more frantic, she’d stood back, probably afraid I’d tip her over in my search.
“I’ll call Elena. She might have an idea,” Zadie offered, hurrying from the room.
Clothes and papers were strewn on every surface. I’d checked nooks, corners, crannies, trash cans, backpacks, everywhere. The fact was, I distinctly remembered the fat stack of cash being in my lockbox last night, and now, it was gone. I wasn’t a naturally trusting person, but when Zadie promised she hadn’t taken it, I believed her. I didn’t really suspect Elena either.
There was one person who’d been in my room last night. One person creepy enough to go rifling through my underwear drawer. Daniel had had plenty of opportunity to take my money. But what the hell could I do? I had no proof, and since he was probably just as rich as Elena and Theo, he really had no reason to steal from me, other than the fact that he was a complete and total asshole.
Zadie came back, her phone held limply in her hand. “I called.”
“No answer?”
She slumped against the doorjamb. “No. I heard her ringtone coming from her room. She must’ve forgotten her phone when she left for her parents’ this morning.”
“Shit.” I sank down to the floor, defeated. “Shit, shit, shit.”
Zadie came to sit beside me. “I have a little I could give you—”
“No.” I shook my head. “No. Thank you, though. A little won’t be enough. I need all of it, especially because I’m going to be late. Reno really hates when I’m late.”
One time last summer, my bus was delayed. I showed up an hour late to make my payment, and Reno added an extra thousand to the next one. Just like that, because he could. Because he knew I understood what he would do if I protested.
I glanced at my clock, already knowing what I’d find. Luciana and I had spent the day together. I’d missed her something fierce, more than normal, so I didn’t take her back home until almost four. Then I’d rushed back to my dorm to grab my cash, only to find it gone. I’d spent so much time checking every corner of the suite, it was now the time I should have been at Reno’s, and I was empty-handed.
All day, I’d been having fun with my sister, and now, I was fucked.
“Can you ask Theo? He could probably give you the money,” Zadie suggested.
The idea of asking Theo for money made me sick, especially after my whole speech about him not being good enough for me. I couldn’t bring this to him. We weren’t together. We weren’t even friends anymore. And I had pride. There was no way I’d tuck tail and beg.
“No. I’m not asking Theo. I’m finding Daniel and getting back what he stole. I’m not allowing him to screw me over.” Determined, I hopped up and pulled Zadie with me. “You don’t have to come.”
She looked at me cockeyed. “Uh, yeah I do. I’m not letting you go alone.”
My phone rang, sending my shoulders to my ears. I didn’t look. If it was Reno, he really wouldn't like my answer. If it was anyone else…well, I didn’t have time.
With my bat in hand, Zadie and I charged across campus. My heart thrashed like a wild beast in my chest. It was probably best Zadie was with me because my vision had gone red with images of my bat crashing into Daniel’s head like a walnut.
Crack.
Zadie wouldn’t let me be crazy. Having her by my side would remind me where I was, why I was here, how much was on the line.
It was déjà vu, arriving at the frat house, a few guys drinking beers on the porch. One asked if I needed help, I laughed and told him hell yes I did, then I charged right by him with Zadie at my heels, gunning for the stairs.
Of course, I had no idea which room belonged to Daniel, but I knew someone who did. Deacon’s door was cracked. I pushed it the rest of the way open with my bat. He was on his bed, laptop propped in front of him, the distinct sounds of porn coming from the speakers.
“Oh, gross. Are you seriously jerking off with the door wide open?”
Deacon slammed his laptop shut and stuffed a pillow in his lap. “Who keeps letting you in?”
I flicked his question away with my fingers. “I’m not here for you. One question, then you can fetch that dirty sock from under your bed and continue enjoying your Saturday night festivities.”
He peered over my shoulder at Zadie. “Who’s the fatty? She’s kind of cute.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I brought my bat down on his footboard, sending splinters of wood flying up. Deacon scrambled to his feet, wild-eyed, flailing his arms around. His erection was still going strong, poking out the top of his sweatpants kind of impressively.
“You’re crazy, bitch!” he cried. “You’re so paying for that.”
I pointed to his crotch with the bat. “What kind of universe gives a dick like that to a medium dude with a losing personality? Is this a joke? If so, I want a refund. It’s not funny.”
“Helen,” Zadie whispered. “We don’t have time.”
I turned to her. “You have all the time in the world, sweet muffin. It’s my time that’s run out.” I swiveled back to Deacon. “All right. Now that I’ve complimented your dick, tell me which room Daniel’s in. He and I need to have a little chat.”