The Strings Attached

Chapter 44 - Jace

I open the toilet seat and wrap her hair around my hand, fisting it, keeping it out of her face. Her head bobs and her chin hits her chest. I grab her cheeks with my other hand and position her face over the toilet.

Sobs sound from the door. Hadley is standing there, her face red and drenched with tears.

"You need to throw up okay?" I say to Loni.

Does she even hear me? I don't know. But we can't go on like this. I need to get the alcohol, and whatever the hell else she was given, out of her system.

"Hadley," I glance at her quickly. "Don't look."

Hadley turns to face the door, her shoulders tremble. But I can't focus on her right now.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper into Loni's ear.

Using the hand that's holding her face, I pull her already loose mouth open wider and shove two fingers in, down to the back of her throat.

My eyes squeeze shut, forcing back tears but only for a moment. Her throat constricts and her stomach tightens. I pull out my fingers and she vomits into the toilet. Her body wretches and I rub her back.

"That's it. That's my girl. Let it out."

She vomits more until she's just dry heaving. Once she's done, her body collapses back into my chest, trembling, more exhausted than before. Her eyes are slitted as she looks up at me. Her lower lip quivers and tears stream down her cheeks. "Jace..." she slurs.

"I'm here," I whisper. "Keep your eyes open for me, okay?"

***

Loni is curled up in a ball in my passenger seat. I stand there for a moment, watching her go in and out of consciousness, making sure she is still breathing.

Closing the door, I round the front of my truck to the driver's side. My fingers pinch the bridge of my nose. Who the fuck did this to her? I don't even want to know because I might kill them.

"Are you okay?" Hadley asks when I open my door. Her eyes are puffy but she's calmed down. I can't even imagine the thoughts that went through her head.

"Are you?"

She nods and swallows hard, tucking a strand of her long hair behind her ear. "Is she going to be okay?"

I look at Loni in the seat. "I hope so." My mouth curls in and I grit my teeth together. "Did you see who did this? Why did they— fuck." I grab the back of my head, tugging on my hair.

She nods again.

"Maybe I should take her to the hospital." I look in the car.

Loni's eyes are open slightly, she's watching me. She adjusts herself in the seat before completely closing her eyes again.

I let out a breath. "I think she'll be okay tonight." If I'm wrong, I'll never forgive myself.

"You should go get her home."

"Yeah," I open the door wider. "You coming?" I ask when Hadley doesn't move.

"No. I called the cops right before you got here. I want to see them arrest this fucker." She grins and so do I, but only for a second. "Text me, or call me, if you need anything at all."

"Please be safe."

"You too."

Hadley trots up back to the house. I wish I would have been more insistent on having her leave, but the cops will be here soon, I know she'll be okay. And it looks like, from all the commotion we caused, that people are leaving and the party is ending.

I slip into my seat, closing the door and taking in the silence. Tension leaves my body and I let out a breath that's been weighing on my chest. I glance at Loni, her body laying in my seat, cold as ice. Reaching over, I touched her cheek.

I fucking hate myself. I let my guard down for one night and almost lost the one person in this world that makes me feel something. Going to different parties tonight was a mistake. I should have fought with her. I should have told her how I feel. Instead, I'm a fucking coward.

So much of a coward that I'd rather deny my feelings for her so I can have her than admit I love her and risk losing her.

None of that matters now though. My own feelings right now don't matter. I just want to see her smile, look into those beautiful eyes.

"Open your eyes, pretty girl," I whisper, but only loud enough for me to hear.

Her lashes flutter against her cheeks. A groan vibrates out of her lips. "Hi," she rasps. "You're here—"

I let out a sigh. "Yeah, baby." I stroke her cheek. "I'm here."

***

When Loni was lucid, I did ask her if she wanted me to take her to the hospital. She would shake her head or mumble "no" and then she'd fall asleep again.

I take her word though and tuck her into my bed. Soft pillows caress her head and she passes out immediately. I could stand next to the bed and watch her sleep for hours, mainly because I'm making sure she doesn't stop breathing.

But I need a breather myself. I tiptoe out of my room and close the door. I press my back against it and tip my head back. Exhaustion finally takes over and my legs give out. I slid down to the ground, resting my head in my hands.

"How's your girl?" Kaden walks out of his room, a bag of frozen peas in his hand.

Wait, what the fuck?

I shake off that question. "She'll be okay," I mumble.

He watches me with furrowed brows. "Will you be okay?"

I shake my head, sucking in a sharp breath. "I was so fucking scared tonight."

Kaden sits down next to me. "She's going to be alright." He slings his arm over my shoulders. "Tyler told me what happened."

"How does Tyler know?"

"Hadley called him. She was leaving the party and called him in the car. She completely broke down on the phone." He runs his fingers through his shaggy hair. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you."

"Yeah, where were you tonight?" I ask, glancing down at the bag of peas in his hand, a smirk trying to pull on my lips.

"You know the usual. Drinking, beer pong, getting kicked in the balls." He picks up the peas and laughs.

"Sorry, what?"

"It's a long story," he laughs.

I laugh too, but only for a second. My mouth forms another frown and I shake my head. "I can't stand the thought of something happening to her."

"I've never seen you like this about anyone before."

"Yeah," I shrug. "Because I love her. And I've never loved anyone before."

Kaden squeezes my shoulder tight. "Maybe you should tell her that."