Part 21 (2/2)
”And why you love your cla.s.sic rock music.” I laugh and nod. ”What about your singing voice?”
”Lessons.” I shrug my shoulders and roll my eyes.
”d.a.m.n good ones. But I'd take you with a squeaky singing voice and a b.u.m father any day.” He winks with a sly smirk.
I bend down and kiss his lips, and he rolls us over. ”d.a.m.n girl,” he grinds his length against me and I open my legs, ready for him. ”Is it bad I don't feel guilt that your dad paid for a hotel room for us and I'm banging his daughter all night?”
I giggle and shake my head at him. ”Well, he's not a saint.”
I move my mouth up to his shoulder, nipping it and Rob growls. ”Enough about your dad.”
I smile against his skin. He completely gets me.
”OH G.o.d. WHERE'S Matty?” she screams and I bolt up in bed, searching for her.
She's rummaging on the floor for her clothes, hastily stepping into her pants. ”Where is she?” The person must not answer, because the next time her voice increases another octave. ”What hospital?”
I jump out of bed, stepping into my pants and throwing my s.h.i.+rt on. I already have my shoes on by the time she throws her phone across the room and sinks to the floor.
Running to her side, I saddle up next to her, swooping her in my arms. Sobs rip from her throat and I rock her back and forth. ”What happened?” I softly ask and her arms tighten around me.
”My mom,” she hiccups, trying to catch her breath. ”She finally did it.”
”What?” My hand brushes down her unruly curls.
Pulling back from me, her red blood-shot eyes stare right into mine. ”She tried to commit suicide.” My heart plummets hearing the words. Linda had appeared unstable, but I typed her as the casual drink and drug user. Maybe had a few late nights with men she didn't know, but s.h.i.+t, this is more serious.
”I gotta go.” She rushes to the phone and waits. ”I need a cab please. I'm coming now. Thank you.” She hangs up the phone.
”You aren't taking a cab; I'm driving you.”
”You don't have to. She's my mom.”
I break the distance between us. ”And I'm your boyfriend. We don't do alone anymore, you got it?”
She draws in a deep breath and releases it. G.o.d, I forgot how good it feels to bring that peace to someone else. I've missed being a team with someone and the fact it's Paige just multiplies that elation. ”Thank you. I'm sorry my life is so f.u.c.ked up.”
I place my hands on her shoulders and wait for her to face me. ”Never be sorry. I'm here, always.”
She bursts into my arms and I hold her tight, allowing her tears to flow freely.
”Where's Matty?”
”He's at my aunt's, but I'm going to ask Chrissy to pick him up. s.h.i.+t, my phone.” She pulls away and jogs across the room. ”f.u.c.k!” she screams, picking up her phone in two different pieces.
”I got it.” I dig my phone out and dial Chrissy. When she picks up, her voice is groggy and I wonder myself what time it is. ”Chris?” I glance at the clock seeing it's seven in the morning. ”Can you pick up Paige's brother, Matty?”
”What's wrong?” The panic isn't hard to miss in her voice.
”Don't worry, I have it handled. Can you pick him up from Paige's aunt's and bring him back to the house?”
”No problem. Dex and I are free all day. We have it covered.” I hear shuffling behind her.
”Thanks.” I hold the phone to my chest.
”Paige, does she know where to go?” Her eyes shed more tears and she bites on her nails.
She only nods.
I bring the phone back up to ear. ”So, you know where to go?”
”Yeah, no worries. I've been there before. Her mom?” I guess I'm not the only one who knows about Paige's mom.
”Yeah,” I answer and she sighs.
”Call me when you can. If she needs me-”
”I will, promise.”
We hang up and Paige darts directly to the door. She throws it open and sails right through. Before the heavy door can slam shut I jog over to catch it. I find her at the elevator, and I lightly grasp her elbow.
”Should we tell your dad?”
Her head flies up to my face.
”No. He's not going to give a s.h.i.+t.”
Man, where did my sweet Paige go?
”He seemed like he would last night. I'm sure he'd want to help you out.”
She stops and stares right into my eyes. ”Rob, my dad is the best father he can be. He pays for my education, he gives me spending money, and he loves me as much as he's capable. But he's starting tour and that comes first in his life.”
I nod, remaining silent. From her stabbing and intense eyes, I'm afraid she's about to go crazy on me.
”It's not that my dad doesn't love me, he does. But I'm not number one in his life. I never have been and never will be. I made peace with that a long time ago.”
The elevator dings and she steps in without another word. We ride down to the lobby and all I can think of is she should be someone's number one. Is this her demon, the fact that she comes second to everyone in her life?
As bad as my mom was last year, I never doubted her undying love for me. I'm saddened that Paige hasn't experienced that with anyone.
”Miss Thompson,” The guy from the front desk raises his hand, but Paige breezes by without even a glance.
”I got her, sorry to bother you.”
He nods and then watches Paige the whole time through the circular doors. Lucky for us, the parking garage is right across the street.
<script>