4. Chapter 4

The door barely closes, and Atticus is already up and storming around Jinx's small living room. The poor bird keeps watching him every time he passes his box, and I swear he'll end up getting whiplash. I'm getting amusement out of this entire situation. Atticus needs to learn to let go of control. He isn't always in control, especially when it comes to her.

That's the one thing about my brother that drives me up the wall. The need for control, and I know the thought of a stalker out there still kills him. I told him already that finding the prick would take time. Then again, Ace listens to no one.

"How long does it take to drop ass wipe off?" he snaps at me.

"Hey, fuck you. I thought you were trying to be a nice guy. What happened to that?"

He waves me off. "That's only when Jinx is around. Besides, you already know I'm an asshole. Why sugarcoat it?"

I relax on the couch, resting my head on the back cushion. My eyes slowly droop close. I shouldn't be this tired; the stupid swim practices are kicking my ass. It doesn't help that my head hurts somewhat from being smashed into the side of the pool.

Ace digs his fingers into my shoulder. "Head hurting?"

"A little. I'll be fine."

"We'll figure out who did this, and we still need to deal with Liam. I'm not done tormenting Cameron, either. I won't be until he's groveling at my feet." His voice had a savage edge.

I keep my eyes closed, bringing my hand up to his and squeezing it. "Thanks, brother."

I'm jolted awake when the door slams closed. I blink a few times, trying to find my bearings, when I realize I'm still in Jinx's place. Maddox now takes the position of pacing the room. Rubbing my face, I try to wake up; that's one thing I hate about naps is they mess with your inner clock.

"Maddox, what's going on?" I mumble. Watching him closely; even Ace does, too. My eyes follow Maddox across the room, waiting for him to answer.

Maddox lets out a frustrated groan, running his hands through his hair. "Spencer's place gave me flashbacks to my parent's house. It was a mess, and I know he isn't always like that, but my mind couldn't look past that. I had to leave before I mentally broke down in front of Jinx and Spencer."

"Do you need anything?" Atticus asks cautiously.

I dig into my pocket, pulling out a joint. "You can smoke it in the laundry room. Go relax for a minute before Jinx comes back. I take it that's why you came back alone?"

He walks closer to me, plucking the joint from my hands. "I had to. It was that, or do something stupid."

"How about you two go smoke, and I'll wait for Jinx downstairs. I don't want her walking back alone, anyway." Atticus suggests.

I shrug, getting up. I'm always up for smoking; besides, it may help Maddox with whatever is going through his head. I've been in the depths of the mind, and it's hard to get out. Once that dark hole grabs you, it can take all your willpower to fight for your life. Even now, it's a fight not to return.

We don't talk until we reach the laundry room. Thankfully, it's empty. Lighting up the joint, I quickly take a puff before passing it to Maddox.

"Wanna talk about it?"

He exhales a cloud of smoke, and his shoulders sink. "Ash, the demons are banging at the door, and I'm not sure I can hold them back anymore. Jinx found my room a disaster after I went on a bender. She never said I disappointed her, but how could you not be? Then, to have her find me in the bathroom. I can't be the guy she needs right now."

"So, what's your plan? Ditch out?"

He walks around the small laundry room, taking another puff, swinging to look at me, smoke curling from his lips. "What do you want from me?"

I storm closer to him, snatching the joint from his fingers. "I want you to man up and own your shit. Talk to Jinx. You know she won't judge you. She's not like that." I watched as he struggled to keep the tears at bay. "Maddox, she won't leave you," I spoke gently this time.

"What if she does? She did before."

I pull him close, crushing my arms around him. His body shakes as mine breaks for him. No matter how often I tell him he's good enough or no one will leave him, he'll never believe me. The demons refuse to leave him alone. I'm afraid that one day they'll win. I was lucky. Atticus saved me when I hit rock bottom after that night.

"Come on, let's get you back upstairs. I think you should stay with Jinx tonight," I say, steering him toward the door.

"No, I can't."

I tug him harder. "Don't care, and neither will Jinx. Sleep on the fucking couch for all I care."

Maddox slowly trudges out of the laundry room; I catch a glimpse of a body rounding the corner down the hall, probably someone wanting to do laundry.

We walk shoulder to shoulder up the stairs. My mind keeps trying to return to that night; Maddox isn't the only one who drinks the demons away when no one is looking. Passing Spencer's place, I notice Atticus isn't there. That can only mean that he and Jinx are back in her room. I can only hope he isn't being a dick about her hanging out with Spencer.

"Sorry about everything back there. I didn't mean to cry."

"Mad, that's what friends are for. Anytime you need the shoulder, it's there."

He simply nods, then opens Jinx's door, and we freeze. I walk in slowly, never taking my eyes off Ace or Jinx.

"What happened?" I collapse next to Jinx, taking her hand. "Little swam. Talk to me." I gently caress her cheek, wiping away a tear.

Maddox leans over the armrest, brushing away her air. "Baby, please."

I send a glare to Ace. He's the one that was with her. "What the fuck did you do to her?"

"Hey! I didn't do shit this time," he snaps. "I was waiting outside Spencer's room when she opened the door paler than Casper. She hasn't spoken a word." His eyes never leave Jinx as he finishes talking.

"You don't think Spence tried anything, do you?" Maddox lowers his voice.

Atticus growls. "If he did, he's dead."

I shake my head. "No. Trust me. I know the signs of sexual assault. This is something else." My mind flashes with all the possibilities that it could be. What could've happened in his room? We weren't gone very long for shit to hit the fan. All they were doing was cleaning.

"Where's her phone?" I watch her eyes grow wide. "Jinx, what are you hiding? You need to talk to us. You need to talk. We can't help you otherwise."

Tears drop onto the cushion, but she doesn't speak.

"Here, I have it," Maddox calls out behind me.

I turn around, and Jinx squeezes my hand hard. I soothe the back of her hand with my thumb. I wait for Maddox to read whatever awaits us.

"Jesus fucking Christ." He drew in his breath sharply. "He sent this today?—of course, he did."

"Read it," Ace demands, losing his patience with Mad.

Maddox sits on the coffee table, leaning on his thighs. With a deep breath, he reads. "Odette, I'm disappointed in you. We made a date, and you stood me up. I don't like to be made a fool. The next time that happens, punishment will occur."

Three days. She lasted three days from that prick.

"What did I do? Did I dress a certain way? Or did I tell a guy no? I don't understand."

I climb over Jinx, tugging her back to my chest. Maddox holds her hand, and Atticus stays where he is. His body vibrated with anger.

"Listen to me, Jinx. You did nothing wrong. Some people develop an obsession that can't be explained, that's all. You can have my phone." I try to reassure her, but even I can't be sure that'll work.

"We stick to what we've been doing, and you don't leave our side. If we can't be with you." Ace rubs his forehead. "Call us and stay on the phone until you reach your room or class. Never be alone."

Maddox leans closer to Jinx, his eyes raking hers. "I'm staying here tonight. Is that alright with you?"

She reaches out and strokes his cheek. "I don't mind at all."

That's my sign to leave. I slowly turned her head. A tiny worm of doubt gnawed at me. Sooner or later, she'll want to take this relationship to the next step, and I'll have to tell her my darkest secret. Will she still want me after? The thought alone makes my stomach turn. I quickly press my lips to hers and move away from her.

I don't bother to look at my brother as I walk out of the room. I need some air; being in that room is beginning to suffocate me. I need to clear my head.

The only spot I can think of heading to is the pool. Being in the water is calming, and I can't wait until tomorrow for practice. The pool is empty when I walk into the center. The chlorine fills my nose, bringing back familiar memories—some good and some I want to bury. Especially with Cam and Liam, those assholes need to pay.

I step into the locker room; the peacefulness of being here is welcoming. Opening my locker, I find my black Speedo waiting for me. Grovedale loved their blue briefs, but the black will forever be my favorite. Stepping to the pool's edge, I watch the water stand still.

Slicing through the water, it soothes me. With each stroke, my mind calms down. I'm not sure how many laps I end up doing, but when I grip the edge of the pool, Atticus is there.

"Ash. Where's your head at?" He never takes his eyes off me. He was probably wondering if I was about to drown myself.

"Between my shoulders, don't worry. I'm fine." I pull myself out of the pool, grabbing the towel off the benches. "Trust me, Ace. I'm not going to off myself."

"It's almost been two years." His voice was nothing but a whisper.

I wrap the towel around my waist, facing him. "Yes, thank you. I'm aware of the night some bitch raped me."

I storm off toward the locker room, and he doesn't need to remind me constantly. I know I'm the damaged twin; I let some college girl spike my drink and take advantage of me. Thanks. I got the memo two years ago when I woke up with my pants around my ankles and couldn't remember anything. It wasn't hard to figure it out when the chick was still lying beside me.

Pushing those memories deep again, I get dressed. I don't want to think that was the point of coming here tonight.

Fuck Atticus and his big mouth.