Chapter 26

When I found Donnie in bed with Addy last weekend, I wanted to die right there. Ash explained what happened, and I believe him, but it still doesn't make it any easier.

My heart broke when I found out how much Donnie was drinking and how off he was with his game. I felt bad because I was supposed to be at his second game, but I couldn't go because I was afraid to go in public after the whole car chase and bullets flying at us…again. I planned on surprising him that night, but I ended up getting a surprise myself instead.

My messages to Donnie were going unanswered, so I called Ash. He gave me the address of where he was staying and said he would meet me there.

When Tia and I pulled up outside the house that Donnie was supposedly at, Ash was on the side of the road waiting for me.

"You need me to come with and kick some ass?" Tia grins.

"No," I laugh.

I climbed out of the car to meet Ash. He waves at Tia and pulls me close to his side. "What's up, Shorty?"

"How is he?" I asked as we walked up to the house.

Ash sighs. "He's not handling his shit well. He seems to let things out of control when it comes to you, curly Sue."

His words deflated my heart.

Ash knocks on the door.

When the door opens, a girl wearing close to nothing answers. "Yeah?" she rubs her eyes.

"Jesus, Haley. What the fuck happened to you?" Ash says in disgust as we brush past her.

"Fuck off, Ash." The girl responds, shutting the door behind her.

"Where's Donnie?" Ash asks.

"Probably upstairs. He was pretty trashed last night. Looks like he had a girl or two up there with him." She yawns, bored with the conversation, and walks away.

I couldn't move. My feet were glued to the fancy marble floors.

"Don't listen to her. She's probably still drunk." Ash tries to comfort me. He pulls me by my wrist as we ascend the stairs.

"Which room would he be in?" I quietly ask Ash.

"We usually stay in one of these rooms that are not meant to be fucked in."

I wince at his words.

"Sorry," he cringes.

We walk straight to one of the rooms on the right-hand side. Ash twists the doorknob and pushes the door open without knocking.

And boy, did I wish he did because my heart dropped to my ass seeing Donnie lying there in his boxers…with her.

Addy was wrapped around him like ivy, half-naked. Her hands and head rested on his bare chest as she belonged there.

What the fuck?

I need to get out of here before I lose my shit.

Tears were ready to fall like Niagara Falls. I wanted to scream, but nothing would come out.

So, I ran.

I heard Ash's voice booming as I bound the stairs and out the front door.

Since that weekend, I have avoided Donnie's calls and messages like the plague.

Unfortunately, I couldn't care less about any of that shit because my mind was on Josiah. I called the jail that he was held up in, but he refused to have visitors.

So, I sent him money to his inmate commissary account for whatever he needed. The female officer that arrested Josiah called last night to let me know he was being transferred to a psychiatric hospital but escaped custody.

It"s a never-ending battle I can't seem to win.

I'm lost in my thoughts while "I'm a Mess" by Bebe Rexha blares through my car speakers. My phone vibrates and panic starts to swell within me. I sigh in relief when I see Tia's message flashing across the screen. I haven't received any more threatening messages. I'm hoping it's a sign that Christian has given up, unless it means he's planning something big for me.

I slide out of the car, lock the doors, and walk up the steps to the house. As I rummage through my purse for my keys, I freeze at the sound of his deep voice laced with pain that came out of nowhere.

"Shorty?"

I whip around so fast, I almost lose my balance when I see Donnie standing on the sidewalk near my car with both hands in his pockets. Even looking lost and vulnerable, he's still sexy as hell.

"Hey." His shoulders relax and he gives me a warm smile.

"Hey."

"Can we talk?"

"Not right now."

He flinches at my response.

"No, it's not that, it's just…it's late, and I'm really tired," I quickly add.

He nods. "Can I call you tomorrow?"

"I don't think that's a good idea, Donnie."

"Why?" His voice cracks.

I give him a sad smile.

Because I don't want to hurt you anymore.

I love you too much and it scares me.

"I'm just really tired, ok? Good night, Donnie." I turn around and walk toward the door but he follows.

"Please, Shorty. Let me explain. What you saw…""I know."

"No, you don't. Nothing happened. I would never do that to you."

"I know."

"You know?" he asks, sounding bewildered.

I turn to face him. "Yes. Ash explained it."

His nostrils flare and a look of annoyance takes over his face. "That wasn't his call to make."

I shrug, looking away from his handsome, sad face.

"Shorty, please—""I have to go."

"Please. Wait," he begs.

With my hand on the doorknob, the warmth of his body envelopes me and I wait for his next move. He leans into me, rubbing his chest against my back, holding himself up with one hand on the door above my head.

"Wait," he breathes. "I'm so sorry for how I spoke to you last time," he whispers. "I didn't mean any of it. You have to believe me."

He sighs like he's in pain. "I was just hurt."

"I know." His body relaxes at my declaration.

"Have a good—" I start to say until Donnie interrupts me.

"Please, Shorty. Don't run from me." He pleads.

I turn to face him with a hard stare. "I'm not running from you. I just don't have time for this bullshit." I wave my hands between us.

"Wh-what are you saying?" he asks with panic in his blue orbs.

"I'm saying I don't have the energy to deal with anything else right now, Donnie. I can't worry about what you're doing on your free time when I have other more important things to worry about."

"Shory, I'm not doing anything—"

"I know." I sigh in frustration. "Have a good night." I shut the door behind me and hear him lightly banging his head against the door.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I'm sorry." His voice sounds broken and tears fall from my eyes.