the same time. I ignore the pain, glad he got a punch in, because I don’t want him to make this easy for me. I’m going to fuck him up. I’m going to make sure that he knows his bullshit is done. If he causes trouble for Violet ever again, they won’t be able to find his body—I’m that fucking mad.
“I didn’t do shit,” he yells, spitting the words out like the little bitch he is. “Violet’s the one who pissed Lindy off. You can’t talk shit about people if you’ve got your own secrets you want to keep,” he returns and I shove my fist into his mouth, splitting his lip. His head snaps back, blood splatters out and he has a tooth that comes flying out.
When I see that satisfaction fills me.
“Motherfucker, you don’t think I’m smart enough to know how Lindy found out shit? We’re done. You’re dead to me.”
“Fuck you,” he spews, the words muffled because he’s holding his mouth and there’s more blood coming out. “You aren’t shit. The whole school knows that now. You don’t have a dime to your name,” he laughs. “Even had to sell your car and move in with your bitch. Big Mike Huntington is just the school joke now and everyone knows it. The mighty has fallen. You’re pathetic.”
“You’re the only thing pathetic I see around here,” I sneer. Mr. D and a couple of the teachers come running. I figure I’m going to be expelled, but I don’t give a fuck. If Violet isn’t welcome here the whole damn school can kiss my ass.
“What’s going on here?” Mr. D. asks. “Mike, you want to explain what’s going on?” He asks, stepping between me and Davis, who is getting up, but definitely unsteady on his feet.
I start to answer him when my cell goes off. Davis starts bitching. I pull my cell out of my pocket, frowning. It’s a new line, that I got when I sold my car. The only two people that know it are Violet and Parker. When I see Violet’s number, I’m instantly worried.
“Angel? What’s going on?” I ask, turning away from the chaos in front of me so I can hear her better.
“Mike, it’s Rooster,” Violet responds, crying.
“Baby, what is it?”
“I found him unconscious. I can’t get him to wake up. He’s so cold,” she whimpers, sobs coming out of her that hurts my heart to hear.
“Is he breathing?” I ask, wondering if I need to direct her through giving him CPR.
“Yeah, it’s just weak,” she whispers brokenly.
“I’m on my way. Hang up and call 9-1-1, baby. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I called them, I’m just worried. I wish you were here,” she murmurs, and she does it in such a way that it guts me.
“I’ll be there, Angel. I’m on my way now and I’ll take you to the hospital,” I vow already walking toward the exit.
“Okay,” she says and I can hear sirens in the background through the phone.
“Mike!” Mr. D. yells. “You need to get back here, or I’ll be forced to expel you!”
“Do it. If Violet isn’t welcomed here, then I don’t want to be either!”
I take off, sprinting for the exit.
Violet needs me. That’s all that matters.
.
39
Violet
I look around the small hospital waiting room and I wonder what Rooster will think when he finds out. We’ve been here for almost five hours now. Rooster just got out of surgery. His appendix had burst—apparently a few days ago, maybe longer. He had become septic. I hate that I missed this. I feel like the world’s worst failure. I should have seen something. He felt bad, he wasn’t breathing well, but I thought he was getting sick. I snuck him some antibiotics the doctor gave me, but he wouldn’t take them. I should have insisted he see a doctor. I begged him to move into my apartment…. He wouldn’t. Now, guilt is eating at me.
“You okay, Angel?” Mike asks, holding me close. I’m leaning on him. I don’t know what I would do if he wasn’t here.
“I should have noticed something was wrong. This is all my fault.”
“Bullshit, you did your best to take care of Rooster, Violet. You can only do what he will let you.”
“But, I could have…”
“Did what, Angel? What could you have done? You did everything and you found him. If it wasn’t for you he would have died,” Mike says, and I let out a ragged breath.
My gaze moves around the waiting room