The Good Intentions

Chapter 31 - Kaden

Kaden

I should have taken Bethany to the room after dinner. I shouldn't have left her with the girls. She was drunk. Her first time drinking, she got absolutely shit-faced. I just couldn't bare to look at her because I caused this. And hearing her say those words to me, I realized I fucked up.

The guys have been playing Blackjack for the past hour and I haven't made a damn dime in this place. Luckily, I haven't lost much either. But I'm ready to go. There's only so much I can take of seeing Teddy win nearly every hand and gush over the fact that he's won worldwide tournaments for this game.

Prick.

My friends are holding onto his every word, listening to his stories with such intent. Listening to how he was such a hotshot. Well, he wasn't. It's just luck.

The point in the night where Asher looks at me and teases me about losing and being jealous is when I excused myself.

Jace threw a fit when he lost about two hundred bucks and no one gave him shit about it. But when I get aggravated, they decide to get on my ass. They are drinking, so I can't blame them for being mouthy. But there really is nothing worse than being sober while all of your friends are drunk off their asses.

It's late, after midnight, and the ship is busier than I thought. Music is still playing and people scurry around with drinks in their hands. I wish I could hone some of that energy. I'm exhausted from today. And not just physically.

The elevator is empty when I walk in, giving me the chance to finally breathe. Leaning my head against the glass wall, I let out a breath that lasts the entire ride because as soon as I stop, the golden doors open. Fumbling through my pocket, I find the key and shove it into the slot. The door creaks open and I shush it, opening it slower. If Bethany is sleeping off her drunkenness, I don't want to wake her.

I step inside and close the door just as carefully as it was opened. Tiptoeing across the room, the messy bed comes into focus, but no Bethany. Light shines from underneath the bathroom door and I hear the pitter-patter of the shower.

"Bethany?" I say, standing in the middle of the room. No answer, she can't hear me.

With two steps, I'm at the door. Knocking on it with a gentle fist, I say her name again. And again. No response.

"You gotta speak up, Doll, I can't hear you." I let out a slight laugh, but a chill runs down my neck as I press my ear to the wooden door. "Bethany." I knock harder. "If you don't answer me," I pause, taken aback by the bite in my tone. Letting out a shaking breath I say, "I'm going to come in there."

I wait a moment, two, and still nothing. Cursing to myself, I swing open the door. My breath catches in my throat, her back facing towards me, I can't see her face. I look away from Bethany's naked body.

I don't have time to think about what the fuck happened that led to this moment. I just need to get her off the floor. I grab a white towel and place it over her.

"Are you awake?" No response, but I see her breathing.

I fumble with the towel that's now draped over her. My hands freeze. Deep red blood soaks through the fabric, staining my hands. My heart rate ticks up, and I feel it in my throat.

Trembling words pry their way from my throat. "Fuck, you're bleeding. Why are you bleeding."

The panic, the anger, it all burns my chest as the water from the shower pools at my feet. Red swirls within it. Red. All I can see is the fucking red. And she's not moving. Not saying anything.

"B, talk to me," I rasp, desperation clinging to every word, every breath, every fucking sight of blood. "Bethany!" I'm shaking her now. Her head tips back, hair matted to her forehead, everything tainted red. "Tell me— Fuck, tell me what hurts, Bethany."