10
RUBY
Shit.
I stride away, almost breaking into a run. I know Dan will follow. If I get to the bathrooms first and wait inside, will Dan be calmer by the time I come back out, or more wound up?
What the hell does Jax think he’s doing?
Dan catches up, his heavy footsteps on the tiled floor behind. Fingers dig my arm as he drags me to one side. Gauging his mood isn’t needed; his heavier breathing and reddening face tell me all I need to know.
“You said you weren’t screwing anyone else,” he growls. “What the fuck was that?”
I attempt to control my own breathing, fighting to keep the oxygen disappearing from my lungs. “Jax messing around.”
“You can’t let other people touch you.”
“I know. He knows. I think he forgot.”
“You see now why I have to watch you? See why I don’t believe you?”
The pressure on my skin increases; I’ll have new bruises on my upper arm later. “It’s true, Dan. There’s nobody else. I don’t need anyone else.”
Dan glances around then moves closer. “You’re an ungrateful bitch. I take care of you, put a roof over your head, and what do I ask for in return? Nothing. Have you forgotten that without me you’re nothing?”
“Sorry,” I curl my fingers around his. “I’ll tell him to leave me alone.”
“Do you forget where you came from?” he asks, voice low and grip firm. “Where do you think you’d be now if I hadn’t helped?”
“I don’t know. Somewhere bad.”But not as bad as this.
“I don’t know why I bothered with someone as worthless as you; sometimes I wish I hadn’t. If your brother had warned me what you’re like, I never would’ve helped out.”
And if Quinn had known what you were like, he’d never have asked.
“Dan… I’m sorry. Please. Don’t be angry.” I touch his smoothly shaven face, looking directly into his glittering eyes. “I’ll make this up to you.”
“You better bloody had!” He drops his grip and pushes me. “This is the last night for you and these guys until I can trust you. No more gigs.”
I open my mouth to protest but the dark mask is on his face, the other Dan who can hurt me.Be nice. Get away. “Can I go for a smoke?”
Dan crosses his arms. “I’ll come looking for you in five minutes if you’re not back. I need a word with that asshole who had his hands on you.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I sidestep Dan and, swallowing down my panic, I head to the back door before he changes his mind, hoping he doesn’t have a showdown with Jax.
Outside, the full moon is partly obscured by the clouds, low and bright. Stars fight their way through and I gaze up at them as I light my cigarette with shaking fingers.
“Hey, Ruby Tuesday!”
I pout at my big brother calling me this and he ruffles my hair. “How’s my little sis?”
Say nothing. “Okay. How’s uni?”
“Good. Sorry I haven’t been home for a while, everything going okay? School okay?”
“School sucks. Same old.”
Quinn’s brow puckers. “Sorry, I wish I was around more.”