Page 13 of Rough Rider (Bad Boy High)
I notice my hand is shaking when I go to flip the page. I fist and unfist it. It’s been a while since my anxiety has gotten the best of me. Everything from today is pushing in on me. It never ends. I thought there might be a small ray of hope when, for once, luck was on my side and I didn’t get my ass handed to me for the drug debt. I should have known better.
The words start to bleed together after a handful of pages. I close the book and go back to staring up at the ceiling. I texted my mom earlier to let her know I wouldn’t be staying at the apartment tonight, but I haven’t heard back from her.
I should have pushed back, but I'd let him lead me out of my apartment and back to whatever this place is. It's not his home, so it must be a crash pad. I jerk up from the bed, coming to my feet to stare down at the clean comforter and sheets.
I'm guessing Niki doesn't take people home where his family lives since his sister is scared of strangers. That only means one thing: This must be where he hooks up with girls. The thought makes my stomach twist. I should go home.
I grab my phone, texting my mom again before dropping it into my bag along with my clothes and textbook before putting my sneakers on. I huff an annoyed breath when I see that the sole of my shoe has come off again. Of course it did. I just want this day to end already. I can’t worry about it right now, though. I need to make my escape.
Not wanting to be busted slipping out, I slowly open the bedroom door. I peek out; the only light comes from the kitchen, but it is sufficient for me to see clearly. Seeing that the coast is clear, I head for the door.
Shit, I think when I pop two deadbolts and open the door partly. I can't leave him here alone with the door not locked. I let out a small scream when the door slams back shut. I jump backwards, my back colliding with a body. It's then I see Niki's hand on the top part of the door over my head.
"What are you doing?" He sounds pissed. Slowly I turn around, swallowing when I see a wall of a chest, a bare, broad expanse with a range of tattoos. My eyes track downward, following the rigid lines of his muscles. He has a few small scars, but they only add to the appeal. "Andy."
"Yeah?" I snap my head back to stare up into his intense gaze.
"What are you doing?"
"Checking the locks?" Why do I feel so busted? I can leave. I'm not doing anything wrong. He stares down at me. “Okay, I was going to head home.”
“No,” he clips before I barely get the words out of my mouth.
“No?”
“Sleep here for the night.” Niki softens his tone.
“I can’t sleep.”
“Then why can’t you not sleep here?” I shrug. “What’s wrong?” I shrug again. “Andy.”
“You don’t want me here,” I blurt out in a rush. “I get it. You’re being all nice or whatever. It’s fine. You feel sorry for me. Thanks for everything, but I can handle it from here.”
“Nice?” He looks as though no one has ever called him that before.
“Yeah, nice, sweet, whatever.”
“Sweet,” he repeats. Oh my God, is he a parrot?
“Yes.”
Then he does the last thing I thought he would. Niki throws back his head and laughs. I fold my arms over my chest and glare up at him.
Not sure what’s so funny. In fact, everything is a freaking mess. I fight a sting of tears, hating how stupid I feel. I want to go home, but honestly no place actually feels like what I think home is supposed to.
Chapter Eleven
NIKI
She doesn’t laugh with me, but it’s okay because it’s not a joke I want to explain at the moment. Nice is not a word anyone uses to describe me. Asshole. Soulless. Cruel. I’ve heard all of those before, but nice is a new one.
“Come on.” I place a pair of my hightops next to her feet.
“These are too big for me.” One set of sock-covered toes comes to rub against the others. My body tightens. Good thing I’m kneeling and I’ve got baggy jeans on or she’d probably hit me over the head with a pan and run out screaming.
“The laces will hold them around your ankle, and the soles aren’t going to fall off the second you stumble over a rock.” I circle her ankle and push the shoe onto her foot. She helps me with the second one.
“I can tie my own shoes. Learned that in kindergarten.”
