The Grace In Darkness (24 page)

I
was surprised to see Sebastian sitting in the dark when I walked through the door. He was perched on the edge of the couch, his elbows resting on his knees and his chin on his fists. He turned his head toward me when the light from the hall flooded into the dark apartment.

“
Why are you sitting in the dark?
”
I threw my keys on the side table and flipped the switch to the light.
“
And what was so damn important that I needed to come home?
”
I put the six-pack of beer on the table and took off my jacket.
“
Hello? Earth to Sebastian!
”
I waved my hand in front of him when he still didn
’
t answer me.
“
Seriously, what
’
s wrong?
”

“
I thought you were going to The Underground tonight?
”

I pulled a can free from the plastic rings and popped the lid.
“
Well, I was... but I got into it with J.D. and then I had to take care of something.
”
I sat down and took a long-needed drink.
“
I kind of punched him in the face.
”
I smirked and took another drink.

He seemed to perk up at that.
“
You what? Why?
”

“
Does it matter? It felt... pretty fucking awesome, let me tell you.
”
I pointed my can at him before taking another sip.

“
You just hit him and walked out?
”

“
Pretty much.
”
I frowned.
“
Are you going to tell me what
’
s wrong?
”

“
Was it over her?
”

I narrowed my eyes at his tone.
“
What the hell is your problem?
”

“
I don
’
t understand what you
’
re doing with her, Ryland.
”

“
Not you too! Why are you so worried about her ruining my life?
”

“
I
’
m not worried about her ruining
your
life! I just don
’
t want you to ruin
hers
!
”

“
What the fuck are you talking about? How am I going to ruin her life? I love her!
”

“
Do you? Because you sure have a hell of a way of showing it. You want to know what my problem is? My problem is having to save your blind girl because she was drugged and nearly...
”
He couldn
’
t finish.
“
All because she was looking for
you
at The Underground.
”

I sat there stunned. I felt like I
’
d just been tasered and every muscle in my body pulsated painfully.
“
Araya was at The Underground?
”
I was in shock.
“
Where is she?
”
I stood.

“
Do you know what could have happened to her, Ryland?
”
he asked, ignoring my question.
“
Do you remember what happened in the park?
”

“
Where the fuck is she, Sebastian?!
”
I roared. I couldn
’
t hear another word. Of course I fucking remembered!

His muscles were bunched and that raw look in his eyes matched mine. I don
’
t know how I
’
d missed it when I walked in.

“
She
’
s in your bedroom.
”

I took off down the hall, nearly tearing down my bedroom door to get inside. I stopped short of the bed and stared down at Araya
’
s sleeping body.

She was curled onto her side, her breathing soft and hypnotic. Sebastian had pulled the blankets up around her and she looked peaceful despite the fact that she
’
d been drugged tonight. Just thinking about it again ignited my anger, and my fists clenched at my sides.

I knelt down and pushed her hair off to the side, running my finger down her cheek. I don
’
t know how I survived being away from her as long as I had. I was stupid.

“
I should have been there tonight, Hummingbird. I
’
m so sorry I wasn
’
t. But I
’
m going to fix this, I promise.
”

I kissed her temple and left the room.

“
How did she even know to look for me there?
”

Sebastian had opened one of the beers I
’
d brought home and was drinking it.

“
Who the hell knows?
”
He sighed.
“
But she was there and Craze slipped something into her drink. River found her and brought her to me. She knew something was wrong. She
’
s a smart girl.
”

“
I
’
m going to kill him!
”
I lifted murderous eyes toward Sebastian.
“
I swear to God I am!
”

It was the third death threat I
’
d made today.

“
Don
’
t worry about Craze. I
’
m taking care of it.
”

“
What does that mean?
”

“
Does it matter?
”

“
Yes! It matters a hell of a lot! I don
’
t need you to do anything.
”
I ran my hand through my hair and tried to think, but the pounding of my heart drowned out everything.

My blood was boiling and I felt like I was burning from the inside out. All I could see was Araya
’
s face the night I found her in the park. I looked at Sebastian.

“
Did you know about this?

His eyes narrowed at me.
“
About what?
”
he said tightly.

“
You know what! The drugs, Sebastian, did you know about them?
”

“
Fuck you, Ryland! How could you ask me something like that?
”

“
How could you not know?
”

“
You didn
’
t know!
”

“
I don
’
t practically live there, either! It
’
s not like they
’
d share info like that with me anyway.
”

“
And you think they
’
d tell me? I
’
m the last person he
’
d tell, Ryland!
”

“
River knew?
”

“
He
’
s the one who told me, so I
’
m going to say yes, he knows.
”

“
Why the hell would he let this go on? Do you think Stitch knows?
”

“
I don
’
t know who all knows, but I plan to find out.
”

“
I
’
m taking care of Craze.
”

“
Ryland, I said—
”

“
And I said back the fuck off, Sebastian! I need you to do me a favor and wait with her for an hour.
”

He was shaking his head before I finished.
“
No. No! I brought her back here to you. I
’
m done watching over her.
”

“
Damn it, Sebastian! You own me this!
”

“
I think helping her clears me of any and all debt, Ryland!
”

“
No, you did that because it
’
s the right thing to do! Because you
’
re a fucking human being and because you wouldn
’
t let any girl be hurt like that. You
’
re not that kind of douche bag, Sebastian.
”

“
You sure didn
’
t feel that way five damn minutes ago when you were accusing me of being part of date raping your girlfriend.
”

I flinched at his words.
“
You know I didn
’
t really mean it like that. I was just pissed off.
”

“
You
’
re always pissed off, Ryland. You need to get over the fact that she left and focus on the reason
why
she left. She didn
’
t leave
you
, little brother. She left because it was the right thing to do for both of you. Stop acting like it was a punishment and stop punishing everyone around you. Including Araya. She
’
s back and she loves
you
. Don
’
t let that go.
”

I wanted to hate Sebastian forever. I wanted to go on blaming him and sulking around, but what he said made sense. Araya hadn
’
t been trying to hurt me. She thought she was doing what was best for me. Could I really blame her for that?

“
I
’
ll be back in an hour. Don
’
t leave her and don
’
t call any cabs for her. Do you think you can handle that?
”
I walked to the door and pulled it open.

“
Ryland!
”
I stopped with the door half open and glanced at him.
“
Don
’
t ever accuse me of something like that again.
”

I turned away, jerking open the door.
“
I
’
ll be back in an hour.
”

I slammed it shut behind me, but I couldn
’
t force my feet to move. I wanted to break Craze
’
s neck for what he
’
d done to Araya tonight, but I wanted—needed—to stay with her more. I didn
’
t want her to wake up here all alone and not be able to remember what had happened.

I didn
’
t say a word to Sebastian as I made my way back to the room. Latching the door softly behind me, I slipped off my shoes and climbed into the bed behind Araya. My body molded to her curves and I slipped my arm around her waist.

Burying my face into her hair, I breathed in her scent deeply and pulled her tighter against me. I didn
’
t realize she was awake until she turned in my arms.

“
Ryland?
”

“
I
’
m here, Hummingbird.
”