As Fate Would Have It | ✓

chapter thirteen

Song for the chapter: The Way, by Ariana Grande

Blood was pumping through my body like never before. I pushed myself hard, trying to get to Joey on time.

The good thing was that Ryker had pulled over a couple miles down from the main part of town, so I let adrenaline take over once I read Joey's messages and saw how many times she'd try to call me.

All because I was with Ryker.

The thoughts of him suddenly invaded my head: his hot lips, his teeth grazing my skin, his rough skin against my stomach...

No, Maddison. Focus. Joey needs you.

My feet push forward until I see the huge, beautiful building. I slow my run to a log, trying not to fall over and pass out, as I get to the huge flight of steps leading up to the door.

I push it open, the receptionist giving me the weirdest look. Not that I blame her, I sound like I might die any moment, but I'm good.

I rush in and frantically search for her. I see a small body pacing in the back corner and I walk towards her.

It was Joey who turned to look at me, but her hair...

"What happened?" I gasp between breaths as I look at her.

She's crying, tears running down her face. Her mascara is running all the way down and I instantly get mad—I already know who caused this.

"Last n-night," she's hiccuping, so she must've been crying for a long time. "Daddy had some d-dinner to get to. I tol-told them I didn't wanna go." She wipes her face with the back of her hand. "And Marsha told h-him to make me go."

Joey scoffs as she throws herself on the floor. The library wasn't too packed, so nobody really saw. I sat down beside her and waited for her to go on.

"It to-took me about half an hour to get ready." She sniffles. "And Marsha complained th-the whole time. And when I woke up from my nap after I got back from see-seeing Tommy," her lip trembled. "Half my hair was chopped off!"

It was; half of Joey's hair was still long, but the other side was cut, and in different lengths...like the woman removed and cut her hair in several spots.

"She was standing there when I woke up and said, 'maybe now it won't take so long to get r-ready'. And walked away."

Joey started to cry again, so I scooted over towards her and wrapped my arms around her. She just quietly sobbed for a few minutes while I brewed in my anger.

"Did you take pictures?" I ask quietly.

She nods against me. "Yeah. And documented what happened, word for word."

I nod slightly. "Good. I'm done with this shit. I'm taking what I have saved, finding a place and getting you out of there. No more."

Joey looks up at me and I smile.

"It may take a few weeks—month or so, but I'm working on it. I promise."

She nods as the double doors swing open. Since we were sitting where we could see the door, we both looked at who walked in. And of course...

"Isn't that your hot neighbor?" Joey whispers, suddenly not crying.

I scoff. "Well, yeah."

"What's he doing in here?"

"Actually, Jo, there might be something I need to—"

Too late, Ryker sees us. And with all the fury that he had walked in here with, it evaporated. His eyes drifted to Joey and softened tremendously.