Page 101 of Rival
Glancing out the window, I mutter, “It didn’t go well. Gotta fix that when she comes home.”
Both of them turn their heads toward me, Mason scowling and Griffin with a brow raised, clearly interested. I refuse to elaborate, but when Mason says, “Go on,” I know I have to share my biggest regret.
“It wasn’t good,” I warn them.
Griffin’s easy demeanor shifts to a more serious one. After spending seven weeks with these guys, I know I’m about to get my ass kickedagain. But my guilt has been eating me alive, and it’s nothing more than I deserve. Neither says anything, so I suck it up and spill how much of an asshole I was.
“When she told me, I knew there was a chance I wasn’t the father, but I was pretty on board with being there for her. Told her we’d figure it out, and I’d be a support. Then…” I swallow hard. “Then I found out who her father was.”
“How did you not know? I thought you were friends?” asks Griffin without accusation, only curiosity.
“Will you believe me if I say it just didn’t come up? When we were introduced, it was just as Edith. We got to know each other, and it was one of those things where I just never asked her last name. Ithoughtshe knew my history involved her father, but when I took the time to remember all of our conversations, I realized I never mentioned his name. I fuckinghatesaying his name, so it’s not surprising.
“Anyway, she was terrified of telling her father she was pregnant and I told her I’d go with her to break the news, then asked who he was when she expressed her fear. I’ll be honest, when she told me, I lost my shit on her.”
Mason’s hands grip the steering wheel harder when he lowers his voice dangerously. “What’d you say to the girl?”
I sigh. It’s long and low, but I bite the bullet. I’m filled with so much shame as I admit everything I said. “I pretty much questioned if she was playing me, manipulating me. Then told her I wanted nothing to do with her kid and once she found out paternity, if Iwasthe father, all she’d get from me was money.” Feeling even lower, I tell them the worst. “I told her I’d never want my blood mixed with a Hughes and to get the fuck out.”
Neither of them says a word. I watch the scenery flow by through the window until my curiosity gets the best of me and I glance toward them to get an idea of what they’re thinking.
Pain explodes across my temple, and black spots fill my vision as I gain my bearings. Another fist slams into my face, but instead of warding him off, my body flies forward as Mason’s brakes squeal on the pavement from how hard he slammed on them.
Griffin reaches over my lap to open the side door and shoves me out into the ditch. I expect to be left behind, which I deserve, but instead of leaving, they follow me out.
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me, Jax? Youknowthat girl! How could you have been sittin’ here as if you’re God’s gift to mankind, carryin’that bullshitin your pocket?” Griffin is shouting, shoving me back with each statement.
My instinct is to fight, but I force myself to keep my arms to my side. I deserve every insult and punch they deliver. Edith deserves to reign over my punishment, but she’s not here. I’ll let these guys take the pound of flesh she’s owed.
Mason pushes past Griffin without a word and lays into me, a few hits to my stomach and one to my chin, but as soon as he realizes I’m not blocking them, he stops, pushing me to my ass.
When I land, my teeth clank together so hard, I grimace as pain shoots through my jaw. Hanging my head, I wait for more blows, but they never come.
“Get in the goddamn truck, Jax.”
Mason’s order surprises me, so I drag myself to my feet. Neither of them offer a hand, only their backs as I follow them to the truck, then climb in.
Once we’re settled, Griffin murmurs from the side of his mouth. “You better fuckin’ make it right with her. What you said is fucked up beyond belief and theonlyreason we’re not leavin’ you behind is because we know you care about her, as pathetic as you are.”
Nodding, I swallow hard against the lump in my throat and keep my mouth shut for the rest of the ride.
Stopping much carefully when we arrive, Mason shoves his truck into park and kills the engine. The three of us stare at the house, knowing Ruth isn’t going to be very welcoming.
“Well, let’s get to it, then,” Griffin mutters.
Mason hops out, so I follow, Griffin close behind. We don’t even need to knock this time before she’s opening the door and ushering us inside.
“Boys,” she says, her greeting cold.
“Ma’am,” Griffin says, pressing a kiss to her cheek and ignoring the way she rolls her eyes. “You’re lookin’ more lovely than ever.”
“Your flattery will get you nowhere,” she snaps, then asks, “You boys want something to drink? Need a rag to clean up your mess?” Ruth is staring at me and I touch the corner of my mouth. Pulling it away, I notice a sheen of blood on my finger and nod quickly.Fuck, they got me good.
It was well deserved.
Ruth disappears into the kitchen for a few minutes, then comes back in with some glasses of lemonade and a damp cloth for my lip. After dabbing up the blood, I take a sip of the lemonade and wince at the sting. I glance at her and catch a flash of glee at my pain and I justknowshe chose lemon to make my punishment sting a big harder.
“What can I do for you boys?”
