Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

TWO MONTHS LATER

" I don't understand why you are pushing me away!" Teo shouts, grabbing my pants that I just folded and put in my bag, tossing them onto the floor. "Stop trying to pack and fucking talk to me," he begs, but I can't bear to look into his eyes.

It's hard enough seeing Rylee crying in the doorway. I can't do this anymore. I can't be here. I have to get away before it all comes crashing down.

We won Regionals. Nationals aren't until next year. I think some space between us all will be good.

"Stop, Lennox. Please, tell me what is going on. We know you've been drinking again. We can get you help."

Donny grabs Rylee and pulls her into his arms, holding her while she breaks.

I wish I could do that, but I don't deserve her love anymore. Two months ago, I was on top of the world. My mom was healthy and back in my life. I had my family and my loves, but now…

"I'm sorry. I'll see you guys around," I mumble, then I zip up my bag, grab it, and leave the room.

"You're being an idiot," Colton snaps, holding Teo back. "We are a family. Don't do this, Lennox. Whatever it is, we can help."

Shaking my head, I place my key on the table, take one more look around the apartment I've called home for years, then open the door and walk out.

"Stop fucking calling me," I scream into the phone before I block her number again. Every day it's the same.

I can't eat, sleep, let alone think. The guilt is ripping me apart inside, and I don't know what I'm going to do.

Memories of that night are fuzzy, but the point of the matter is that I cheated.

Fuck, how did this happen?! I had to have been drugged, but who cares. Now I'm trapped with a woman who only wants me for my name.

I should just go. Get in my car and drive. Maybe off a cliff.

"I'm tired of you ignoring me, Lenny. I told you not to cross me. What do you think your precious Rylee, or Teo, will think when they see a video of the night we made love?"

Bile rises in my throat and I have to swallow it down, remembering her last threat.

What more does she want from me? I left the two people who mean everything to me. I'm miserable, and wishing I was dead.

No matter how hard we fought, she won, and now I'm trapped until the day I die.

My bedroom door slams open and Missi is there, fuming. Her cheeks are red and my mom is behind her yelling.

"You can't be here. Get out of my house, you whore!"

Placing her hands on her hips, Missi gives me a look, pursing her lips.

"Are you going to let her speak to me like that, Lenny?" My body shudders at the sound of her voice. There's a gleam in her eye that has me instantly on guard.

"What are you doing here?" I sneer.

"We have things to talk about, my love." She smiles like the cat that got the canary. "Alone. Unless you want your mom to stay. I don't mind."

Fucking hell. What does this crazy bitch have up her sleeve? Hasn't she done enough to ruin my life? Clearly not.

Grinding my teeth together, I look at my mom. "Mom, just give us a minute and then she will leave."

"I wouldn't count on it," Missi mutters under her breath, and my mom shakes her head but leaves us.

Missi slams the door, flicking the lock. I stay on my bed, too exhausted to move.

"Why are you here?" I finally ask her when she hasn't said a word in over five minutes.

Her casually walking through my room, touching my things, has me on edge. This bitch is psychotic, and I hate having to walk on eggshells with her.

Spinning back to face me, she gives me a bright smile, then twirls a strand of her dyed hair.

"Black Ridge is beautiful this time of year, isn't it, Lenny boo? I was sad when you didn't invite me on your little trip a few months back, but once I took a hike there, it all made sense."

My eyes widen and my mouth opens. No fucking way. She's got to be bluffing.

She continues to smile and chat about the weather and the mountains.

"How?" I narrow my eyes at her…

"You should really know by now that I won't ever let you out of my sight. Especially out of town, baby. You're mine. I never thought that I would witness you and your family pissing on a grave." She crinkles her nose. "That was an extra special… surprise."

Nostrils flaring, I jump up and grab her arms, shaking her.

"Are you fucking crazy?!" I hiss and then snort. "Of course you are." I shake my head. "Do you have a death wish? Missi, you don't understand how dangerous it is that you were there. If they ever find out…"

"It's sweet that you are worried about me, Lenny, but I'd be more concerned for your friends. I mean, if I was to go to the police, or maybe post this video and wait for it to go viral…"

"What video? The sex? Go for it! I am tired of you holding it over my head. It doesn't matter anymore. I left the Cheer house."

Missi laughs and pulls away from me, patting my cheek condescendingly. "Oh, honey, I mean the little clip I have of all of you at Black Ridge, of course."

My eyes widen in horror. Fuck. Oh fuck, fuck, fuck. What the hell has this batshit crazy bitch done? We are so fucked. If Linc or the Black Venom Crew find out that Missi knows where Alvero is buried, they will kill us all.

Mateo might be his cousin, but that doesn't matter to Linc. If there's a chance his brother, Hunter, best friends and girl are at risk of being in danger, he will kill any threat without blinking.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, then give in. Because just like Linc, I'll do anything for the ones I love. Even if it kills my soul to do it.

"What do you want?"