True Colors (The Masks #1)(44)

I blushed, wondering if Eric would show me what he meant by getting lucky.

Crunching down the last of my ice cream cone, I wiped my hands and threw the napkin away, deciding I should probably get home before it got too late. I was just starting back when someone yanked my arm from behind and pulled me into the alleyway.

The shock gave me no time to respond and it wasn’t until he was shoving me behind the dumpster that I even had the notion to scream. I opened my mouth to let it rip when what felt like a cannonball struck my stomach. I doubled over, struggling for air as pain radiated though my abdomen. He pulled his fist back and thrust it into me again, my feet lifting off the ground with the force of the impact.

I wanted to cry, to scream, to do anything! But I couldn’t breathe. He let me go and I crumpled to the ground, my hair covering my face like a discarded blanket.

I tried to spot his face through my tendrils, but tears were blurring my vision. He pressed my face into the concrete, his thumb digging painfully into my cheek. I thought my heart might explode; it was thrumming so loudly. The rough ground cut into my cheek as he leaned over me, pushing until my skull felt ready to splinter.

I whimpered as he brought his lips to my ear.

“This is a warning.” His voice was harsh and gravelly. “Keep your nose out of Liam Donovan’s business or the next time I find you, you’ll really understand the meaning of pain.”

He pushed up off my head and strode away, his black shoes not making a sound. Tears gathered in my eyes as I strove for some kind of composure. I knew I had to get up and go home, but I was too scared to move. My insides hurt and my limbs were shaking. Pushing myself up, I drew my knees to my chin. Wrapping my arms around my legs, I tried to quell the tremors and get my brain to function. I couldn’t stay tucked behind this dumpster. I needed to get home. But the idea of walking was too painful...and petrifying.

I reached for my phone and ran my thumb over the screen. I could call Stella; she’d probably come and get me if I asked nicely. In spite of her cold attitude, I knew she still had a heart. But then she’d want details, plus I’d owe her for all eternity.

My next thought was Seth, but he’d just freak out and call my parents who would freak out even more and fly home again. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to have to explain any of this to anybody. No, there was only one person I should be calling, because he already knew everything...but I really didn’t want to ruin his night with Dale.

My lips quivered as I held my shaking finger over Eric’s contact details. Would he freak out? Would he tell me off for taking things too far? Would he make me go to the police? I didn’t want to. What could I tell them? That a guy with black shoes attacked me? That’s all I had. For someone with the power to read people, I was pretty damn useless.

Tears stung. I pressed the back of my hand against my right eye, my lips trembling as they fought against the sobs. My limbs were shaking uncontrollably and I was on the brink of losing it.

I wanted Eric. I needed Eric and even though we’d only been dating for a little while, I knew he’d want to know. He’d want to be the one to come and get me...and look after me. That was just the way he was.

Pulling in a trembling breath, I dialed his number and pressed my lips together as it rang.

“Hey, gorgeous girl.” Eric’s voice was light and cheerful.

I couldn’t talk. Tears popped out of my eyes, dribbling down my face as I tried to find a voice. All I could muster was another trembling breath.

“Caity?” Eric’s tone rang with urgent concern. “What’s the matter? Where are you?”

“I need your help.” I managed.

“Are you hurt?”

I shook my head in spite of the pain radiating through me. “Can you come and get me?”

“Tell me where you are and I’ll be there.” I could tell he was already moving. I could hear shuffling in the background. “Dale, sorry man, I gotta go. Where the hell are my keys?” More shuffling, muffled conversation. “I’ll let you know.” A door banged shut and I flinched. “Okay, where are you?”

I gave him directions, but he already knew where I was talking about.

“I’m sorry to ruin your night.”

“Caity, stop it. Just sit tight. I’ll be there soon.”

He hung up and I clutched the phone in my hand, peeking out past the dumpster to make sure the guy with the gravelly voice wasn’t coming back for round two.

I sat in agonized silence, mustering the courage to get up and walk to the street where I told Eric I’d be waiting. But I couldn’t stop shaking and I didn’t want anyone to notice me. Anyone could see I was in shock and I didn’t want to explain myself.

“Caity!”

Eric’s voice made me jump. I peeked out past the dumpster and saw him standing on the street. He looked frustrated and scared as he pulled the phone from his pocket. The phone in my hand began to sing “Kiss You” and Eric spun around, his eyes wide and his face pale under the streetlights. He raced into the alley, following the sound of my ringing phone and found me huddled on the ground.

“What happened?” His words were breathy as he crouched in front of me.

I wiped my dribbling nose with the back of my hand and shook my head, tears bubbling over once more as I launched towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck. His strength encircled me as he gently stood, bringing me with him. We didn’t move for a while; he just held me tightly against him and let me sob into his shoulder. Finally when my hiccuping tears had eased, he lifted me into his arms and carried me to his car.