Page 57 of Diamonds in the Mud

I laughed and then nodded. “Sure.” I pretended to doggy paddle, causing Ben to chuckle and slap my shoulder hard.

Since I’d accomplished more than I’d imagined, I decided not to take my chances with Izzy again. I downed my beer in one gulp and headed towards the back door.

Unfortunately, Izzy beat me to it.

“Ready?” she asked, taking my hand in hers.

“I’m heading home. Alone,” I added. “I’m not in the mood tonight.” I pulled my hand free.

She pushed her hand against my chest until I backed up against the door.

“We’re having serious thoughts about your loyalty,” she hissed.

“We?” I chuckled.

Her eyes narrowed. “I am,” she corrected. “I’m through playing games with you.”

“I don’t play games,” I warned and removed her hand from my chest. “Nor do I fuck someone I don’t want to.”

I turned to walk out and then was blindsided when a half-full beer bottle crashed into the side of my head. I was stunned for a moment before I recovered to duck the next one as blood oozed from my head just above my left ear.

“Crazy bitch,” Ben hissed as he yanked Izzy back a few feet and wrapped his arms around her to stop her from throwing anything more. “Go on, get out of here. I’ve got her,” Ben told me.

Seeing the blood on my hand, I straightened and nodded.

Shit, I thought as I headed towards my place, thankful that it was only a couple blocks away.

By the time I climbed my stairs, everything was blurry.

“What in the hell happened to you?” Rayne asked from my doorway. It was dark enough that I couldn’t see her face. Hell, if I hadn’t climbed my stairs, I wouldn’t have known she was there.

Without answering, I quickly unlocked my door and pulled her inside. Making sure to keep my lights off, I held onto her for a full minute before talking.

“Why are you here?” I asked. I tried to remember why she shouldn’t be there, but my head hurt too much.

She reached up and touched my head. “You’re bleeding.”

“Yeah.” I took her hand and cupped it. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not.” She glanced around. When she reached for the light switch, I stopped her.

“Wait,” I said, taking her hand and pulling her into my bathroom. Then I switched on the light and we both gasped when we finally got a look at one another.

There was a large bandage over her forehead and smaller cuts and bruises over her face and hands.

Cupping her face in my blood-soaked hands, I leaned in and kissed her gently. “It was Izzy,” I said and felt her tense. “She pretty much bragged about it to me just now. Right before she threw two beer bottles at my head for turning her down tonight.”

When I moved my hand, I realized I’d smeared her face with blood. Taking a towel, I started to wipe it clean, but she took the towel from me and held it to my head. I winced with pain.

“I think there’s still some glass in here. Sit down.” She motioned to the side of my tub. I sat. Well, more like fell.

“Do you have a first aid kit?” she asked, walking over to the sink.

“Under,” I said, holding the towel to my head. “What are you doing here?” I asked as she bent to get the kit.

“I came to talk to you.” She set the kit on the counter and then dug through it. “Randy said he had a chat with you earlier.”

“Yeah,” I sighed, remembering suddenly that I was supposed to steer clear of Rayne. She turned towards me and we locked eyes. “I can’t do it.” I shook my head.