Against All Odds - Angel's Story(24)

••••



Angel



I really need to get out of here. Not only is Riley turning out to be the biggest jerk ever, I have to watch that girl throw herself at Chase. Seeing them dance together was bad enough. I will admit though, he’s a fantastic dancer. Who knew? He definitely doesn’t seem like the dancing type. He’s got great rhythm for a guy. Maybe that’s why he’s so fantastic in bed.

I turn away from Chase so I don’t have to watch his bimbo dry hump his leg on the couch. Seriously, doesn’t she realise everyone can see her?

Riley still has his back to me, which is pissing me off. I’m not sure why he even demanded I come with him. It’s obvious he wants to be with his mates. One of his friends seems nice enough, and occasionally turns around to try to include me in the conversation. I can tell by the way he keeps looking at me he feels sorry for me. Hell, I feel sorry for me.

Finally, Riley turns to face me again. Oh, you remember I’m still here. Arsehole. When he passes me his empty beer bottle again, I can tell you, my tolerance level has hit its peak.

“Get me another beer will ya.” He doesn’t even say ‘please’. Rude fucking jerk. I look over at his mate, the only one out of his friends who seems half decent. He gives me a sympathetic smile and shakes his head in disgust. He doesn’t speak up though. I get the feeling Riley treats all the people in his life like this. Why they put up with it is beyond me. I don’t want to cause a scene in front of his mates, so I’ll get him his beer, but it’s the last damn time.

As I start to storm across the room, I hear Chase. “Hey, Benson,” he screams over the music, “get your own fucking beer. She’s not your personal fucking waitress.” I’m shocked. I stop in my tracks and my head snaps in his direction. I feel my lips curl into a smile. I can’t believe he’s defending me.

That smile doesn’t last long when I see the way he’s looking at Riley though. If looks could kill, that dipshit I came here with would be dead. Crap, are these two going to go at it again?

“Mind your own fucking business, Daniels,” Riley responds. My head turns in the direction of Riley. He’s looking at me. When he flicks his head, as if to say, “Go on, get my beer”, something inside me snaps. I feel my eyes widen and both my eyebrows rise in both disbelief and defiance. I don’t fucking think so, buddy.

I turn on my heels and march back across the room. When I’m standing in front of Riley, I shove the bottle at him. “Get your own fucking beer,” I snap as I turn and make my way towards the door.

I feel tears of both frustration and humiliation rise to my eyes as I run across the front lawn. When I’m a few houses down the street from the party, I stop running, searching my pocket for my phone. I need to call a cab.

I hear footsteps running behind me. I don’t bother turning around. When someone grabs my arm roughly and pulls me back, my heart sinks.

“What the fuck was that?” Riley says through gritted teeth as he spins me around to face him.

“What?” I snap. “Are you for real?” Don’t ask me why, but I start to laugh. I think it’s a combination of both nerves and disbelief.

“Oh, you think humiliating me in front of my mates is funny?” he says getting up in my face as his grip on my arm tightens.

“Let me go. You’re hurting me,” I cry out.

“I don’t fucking think so. What the fuck is going on between you and Daniels anyway? I’ve seen the way you both look at each other. Are you fucking him behind my back?” he screams in my face.

“Please, Riley. There’s nothing going on between us. I just want to go home.” He’s starting to scare me.

“You’re not going fucking anywhere without me,” he says as he starts dragging me across the street towards his car. My heart starts to beat out of my chest. I thrash my arm, trying to release it from his grip. Sadly, to no avail.

There’s no way I am getting in that car with him. One, he’s been drinking. Two, after everything that’s happened tonight and the way he’s treating me now, I want to get as far away from him as possible. He’s definitely not the person I thought he was.

He loosens his grip on my arm as he fishes his keys out of his pocket. I use this to my advantage. I raise my leg and kick him as hard as I can in the shin. When he lets go I turn and run back towards the party.

“You fucking bitch,” I hear him say as he gives chase. Fuck. I don’t dare stop. I need to get away from him. He’s getting closer. I can hear his footsteps approaching. Damn these stupid boots. I turn my head to look at him as I keep running. I don’t see the curb as I approach and I trip over it. My hands instinctively go out to break my fall as I tumble to the ground. A searing pain shoots from my wrist and up my arm. Shit.