Page 21 of Bound By Ink

“Sure.” I nod, slightly disappointed. If he’s going to pay me back… I head to the bar again, grabbing myself another drink. Might as well make it a double, because why not? The warmth from the vodka spreads through me, making me feel a little buzzed, and I like it. Derren watches me with a hungry expression. When he walks past me, he bites his lip, and I get lost in thoughts of what’s going to happen when we go back to mine after.

My cheeks flush. Unsure whether it’s the alcohol or the thought of what he’ll do to me when he gets me home. I finish my drink and head to the toilet. I splash a little water on my face. That drink was stronger than I realised. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out, smiling as I see Derren’s number. I read the message.

Derren:shooting off to take the lads home, baby, I’ll meet you at yours later. X

I freeze for a moment, my heart pounding. My pulse thuds in my ears as panic sets in.Wait, what?I rush into the bar, searching frantically. The pool table is deserted, and their empty glasses remain on the table. There’s noone in sight. I turn and run straight outside, only to see the car gone. Tears well in my eyes. My chest is tight with embarrassment, disappointment, but most of all a feeling of not being good enough. I stare at my phone. I’d been gone all of five minutes. I blow out a breath, my heart thumping as I look around. I have no idea where I am. I didn’t pay attention. I just… My lip shakes as I feel stupid and used. I have no idea which way to even start walking. How to even make it home. I contemplate my options, and I sigh, tugging my phone from my pocket.

“Yo, Nerd, what’s up?” he answers cheerily, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

“Killian.” My own voice betrays me, cracking as I gasp out his name.

“Scott, are you okay?” The worry in his tone makes me try to stifle back a sob.

“I… I’m stranded.” I hear him move. He’s probably on the sofa.

“Where are you?” His question comes out strained.

“I don’t know, I’m at a bar.”

“Do you know what it’s called? Scott, it’s okay, just tell me where you are.”

I turn, staring at the sign, the name blurring through the tears. “The Rusty Nail.”

“What the fuck are you doing there? Are you inside?” He’s moving around his flat, and his keys are jangling.

“I-I’m in the c-car park,” I stutter out, flinching as I hear a car door slam.

“Go back inside and sit at the bar. I’m coming. Do not move from there, okay?”

“Thanks, Killian.” My voice cracks again, my cheeks wet with tears, and I hang up. I take a breath and make myway inside. I sit at the bar and order a Coke, which I can’t bring myself to drink. I stare at the dark liquid, the ice clunking against the side of the glass as I turn it back and forth in my hands, mesmerised by how the ice floats.

Feeling like everyone is watching me, I stay frozen to my stool, my eyes fixed on my drink. I don’t know how long I sit there. It feels like hours, when the reality must be less than twenty minutes. The door crashes open, startling me from my self-pity. My eyes flick up to see a fuming Killian. His jaw ticks, his brow pulled tight with tension. His tight expression relaxes when he sees me. I jump off the stool. And I can’t help it, I run to him, and he wraps me in his arms.

“You okay, Nerd?” he whispers in my ear and kisses the side of my face, and I nod into his chest. His arms grip me tighter, and he just holds me. The feeling of his heart beating its steady rhythm settles me while he hugs me until I stop shaking. He pulls back, staring down at me. “Come on.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder protectively as he pulls me outside. He leads me to the car, and he opens the door for me.

Pure relief engulfs me, making me want to cry again. Knowing he came for me makes me want to break. When I get into the car, he gives me a tight-lipped smile and closes the door, moving around and sliding into the driver’s side. He glances at me and starts the car, pulling out of the car park. I stare out of the window, feeling confused, ashamed, and alone.

His hand grips my leg, and he leaves it there for the journey home. When he pulls up at mine, I turn to face him. I stare at him, my emotions all over the place. I wantto say something, but the lump in my throat won’t let anything slip out.

“Wanna talk about it?”

I shake my head and climb out. A stray tear falls, and I reach up and bat it away. I open my mouth to say thank you, but the words stick in my throat. I swallow hard, and he gives me a smile and a slight nod. He understands how I feel.

I step back, close the door, and turn away. I can’t say what I’m feeling. I’m barely holding it together as it is. I walk up to the house defeated. When I get to the door and turn back to look, he’s still sitting there. I turn away, close the front door, and run straight upstairs to my bedroom.

I slam the door behind me, flopping on the bed and crying into my pillow. Struggling to come to terms with my overwhelming emotions and the way they’re pounding into me all at once.

Killian

Chapter 11

As he walks towards the house, my face is impassive, but my knuckles are white as I grip the steering wheel. He stares back at me, and the look on his face is pure devastation and humiliation. He turns and closes the door.

I wait, torn between leaving him and allowing him the space he needs to process everything while also being there for him. I know it has something to do with that dickhead he’s seeing. I can’t bear to see him like that, and the anguish on his face makes me want to make it right for him.

Either I find Dickhead and kill him, or I check on Scott. I pull the handbrake on and climb out. After standing for a second, I shake my head and walk towards the door. I let myself in, locking the door behind me. I kick off my shoes, hang up my jacket, and climb the stairs. I crack the door open. Scott’s inside the room, sobbing, so I slip inside, gently clicking the door closed behind me.

I tug the covers back and climb into the bed. He gasps as the bed shifts under my weight, and I tuck the covers around us. I wrap my arms around him and holdhim against me. He turns in my arms, his hands slip between us, cuddling into me. I don’t talk. He doesn’t say anything, we just hold each other. I rub his back while he cries. When his breathing evens out, I kiss his forehead and hold him a little tighter.