Page 13 of Save Me

He takes another gulp, exhaling loudly, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I can’t say I’ve ever been in your position before… to have no one want you anymore. To have yourboyfrienddecide you’re only good for one thing, and you’re not even good enough at that for him to bother coming to get you.” He laughs to himself. “And now to have Rhett not even want you anymore—but I can’t say I blame him, it’s not like you bring much to the table.”

My ears are ringing as I swallow down the anger that is now threatening to overflow. I am so tired of these guys thinking theycan treat me this way—speak to me this way—and never face any consequences for their actions.

“I bet it feels pretty shit to be you right now,” he taunts.

Before I can stop myself, I wield angry words back at him, my tongue just as sharp as his.

“It probably feels just as good as that eye of yours,” I snap, gesturing to the scabs that have formed around his brow after I sunk my nails into his flesh earlier this week. “It looks like it was deep. I wonder if it will ever fully heal or if you’ll be left scarred… though I don’t think it will matter much. It’s not like you were a looker to begin with.”

His face goes red and he lets out an angry huff, picking up the bottle and chugging for a few seconds.

“Watch yourself,” he snarls as he stands up. “Don’t think for one second that I haven’t forgotten about the other night. Remember what I said? An eye for an eye, Evi, and it’s time to pay up.”

Shit.

CHAPTER 7

‡

Itake afew steps backward, increasing the distance between us but unwilling to turn my back to him. But for each step I take, Tanner takes one as well. His stride is bigger than mine, even after a few drinks, and he begins to close the gap between us quickly. I turn around and dart for my bedroom, hoping to slam the door shut before he can reach me. I make it in time to throw my body against the door, but Tanner is stronger than me, and the force of him barreling into my room causes the door to burst open, connecting squarely with my face.

My hand flies to my nose as darkness edges my vision and tears spill from my eyes. The pain spreads like fire across my face, and I blink a few times, willing myself to stay upright as I start to sway on my feet. Warm liquid starts to trickle out of my nose before quickly flowing over my lips and chin, and I pull my hand away only to see it coated with blood.

I blink rapidly, trying to gather myself as I stumble backward until my back is pressed firmly against the wall.

I look at Tanner, who is leaning in the doorway, to find his eyes pinned on me and the blood pouring from my nose.

An eye for an eyerings through my head, and I wonder if this is enough for him. As if in answer to my silent question Tanner pushes off the wall, teetering in the doorway before taking a deliberate step forward and shutting the door behind him. The latch clicks loudly, the only sound in the room as we stare at eachother. My breathing is fast as my eyes dart frantically around the room, looking for any means of escape.

My only two options are the window or the bathroom, and I can’t decide which one I can make it to first. As if reading my thoughts, Tanner smiles and begins walking towards me like a predator about to make its kill.

I dart for the window without even thinking, adrenaline taking over as my fingers move deftly to undo the latch, flinging the glass open. I ignore the cold as it wraps itself around my body, and instead focus on trying to move quickly, attempting to shift my body through the opening so I can throw myself into the water below.

I almost make it, and for a moment I find peace in knowing I’m seconds away from falling towards freedom, that I’m one step closer to finding my way back to Jax. But instead of falling I feel myself torn away from the window—away from my absolution—by my hair, and a scream escapes my lips as I’m thrown to the floor.

“Yeah, that was never going to work.” Tanner seethes as he looks at me on the floor.

I groan as I push myself back up onto my feet, my heart pounding in my chest and my face radiating with pain.

My eyes flicker to the bathroom door, but Tanner now blocks the way to it.

“Why are you doing this?” I say, my voice shaky with fear.

“Because I won’t let some slut talk to me the way you just did, and I certainly won’t let anyone get away with leaving a scar on my face,” he spits as he stalks towards me.

I hate that I cower, backing away from him instead of trying to run again, shame building inside of me.

“Let’s just go back out there. You can have another drink…” I stumble over my words, trying to think what he could want. “Or I could have a drink with you. Whatever you want,” I plead.

“Or,” he starts menacingly, “we can stay right here and I can still dowhatever I want.”

I look at him, hoping to see some trace of humanity staring back at me, but all I see are violent eyes trailing down my body.

I don’t think as I bolt for the door, a last-ditch effort at escape. My hand claws at the handle to open it.

Strong arms wrap around me from behind and I kick and scream as I’m dragged backwards, away from my escape.

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