Down to Business (Business Series) (35 page)

I blinked. “What? I’m not going.”

“Yes you are. You have to come with me. You have to help me take her down.”

I stared at her and laughed. She had seriously lost her mind. “Lindy, I’ve never fought anyone before. I’m a passive aggressive fighter, remember? I slam doors and leave angry texts.”

“You beat the shit out of your brother all the time when we were little.”

“We were kids!”

“Well you can come watch
me
break her fucking nose,” she proclaimed shoving on her jacket.

“Lindy, you have no idea how to fight someone. She is twice your size. She will kick your ass. Just sit down and take a deep breath.”

“Well there is a first for everything. I have to confront her. I need to get this off my chest. Now, are you coming or not?” she said with desperation in her voice.

I stared at her, every instinct telling me this was a horrible idea. I tried the only other escape route I could to try to sway her. “I have plans tonight…I was going to go to dinner and a movie with Vinny. Why don’t you come with us?”

She scoffed and shook her head, yanking open the front door. “Whatever. Have a great fucking time.”

“Lindy!” I shouted at the slammed door.

I marched over, yanked the door back open, but she was already down the stairs. 

“Shit.”

I had no choice, I couldn’t let her go alone. I grabbed my coat and chased her down the stairs.

Lindy marched down the sidewalk, like a soldier heading into war with her shoulders drawn back, her face serious and sour. I attempted once more to change her mind, but it seemed there was nothing I could say or do. She had a right to be pissed. I opted that we should just key his car or slash his tires, but that wasn’t good enough for her. She wanted to face the bitch who stole her man. I just hoped Becky packed her boxing gloves or her running shoes when she moved to college.

I decided to text Vinny in a silent cry for help, letting him know what happened and that Lindy and I were headed to Alpha Tau to kick Becky’s ass. He said he was on his way. I prayed he got there before us.

Once the Alpha Tau house came into view, Lindy’s breathing deepened and she walked with even more determination. I already decided that I wasn’t going to get involved unless I had to. If anything, I would be a key witness when the cops came.

Lindy stomped over the lawn, kicking a half-deflated beach ball against the side of the house. I took a deep breath and followed her up on the porch. My stomach turned into a giant knot as she rang the doorbell repeatedly until someone answered.

One of the frat brothers dressed in just his boxers opened the door and frowned at her. “What the hell?”

Lindy didn’t bother with his question. “Where is she?”  she snapped and marched right past him into the house.

“Who?” The guy asked glaring after her then at me.

I shrugged back at him and followed Lindy’s heavy footsteps as she stomped into the living room. She glared at the four guys who were lined up on the sofa playing a video game.

“Where is that bitch?!” she shouted at the back of their heads.

They all looked over at her like she was nuts.

“Who?” one of the guys asked, but she didn’t wait for an answer as she marched off to the next room. I hoped Becky had already left. Maybe she’d punch Tyler instead.

“Where is everyone?!” she screamed after we passed two empty rooms.

We crossed the hall where the basement was located. The sound of drumming bass filtered through the door with the distinct smell of marijuana. I winced when Lindy‘s gaze zeroed in on it.

She was like the Terminator as her hand snapped out and she yanked the door open, sending it clattering against the wall and letting out a cloud of smoke in its wake. I winced and watched her storm down the basement stairs, disappearing in the haze. I followed behind her praying she caught a contact high and calmed down. To my dismay, the opposite happened. She spotted Tyler sitting in the pot smoking posse circle, with a dark green bong in hand and Becky on his lap. They both looked stoned out of their minds. This wasn’t going to be good…at all.

“
You
fucking bitch!” Lindy screeched. She missed the last three steps as she leapt through the crowd, charging right at them.

“Lindy!” I yelled, nearly falling down the stairs.

Becky’s red-rimmed eyes went wide and she screamed as Lindy pulled her off Tyler by her hair. She threw her on the floor, pounced her, and then punched her in the face repeatedly.

I froze on the bottom step, cupped my hands over my mouth, and watched in horror.

“Lindy! No!” Tyler yelled, dropping the bong and grabbing Lindy’s leg in a poor attempt to pull her off.

“What the hell!” Another guy shouted.

It was no use, they were stoned, and their coordination was off. Tyler was pulled onto the floor and the guy who was assisting got knocked over the coffee table.

“Fight!” A girl with dreads screamed and suddenly the room came alive. I was lost in the hustle as more frat brothers and their friends came pounding down the basement steps behind me. They rushed past, shoving me aside.

In the haze of smoke and shitty lighting, I watched two guys pull Lindy off, screaming and flailing like a rabid monkey, her hair all mangled. My breath caught when a firm hand gripped my shoulder and I looked over to see Vinny beside me. He looked me over to make sure I was okay, then moved into the crowd to help.

There were so many people I couldn’t make out which one was Lindy, but I could still hear her yelling and cursing.

Finally, the crowd parted and Vinny appeared holding Lindy and Tyler by their arms. He escorted them past me up the stairs, followed by Becky who was sobbing and being supported by two guys. One of them held a bloody t-shirt against her face to stop her nosebleed.

Maybe Lindy could kick some ass after all.

I followed them up the stairs and into the living room. Lindy didn’t look all that hurt besides a few scratch marks on her face and her hair being a mess. I figured Becky never had a chance.

“Get your psycho girlfriend in check, man!” A Tau brother shouted at Tyler.

Tyler blinked repeatedly, obviously too shocked and stoned to really absorb what just happened. “Sorry bro, she just came out of nowhere.”

“You fucking asshole!” Lindy yelled, ripping away from Vinny. “How could you cheat on me with that fucking slut after all I’ve done for you?!” Her face was red with vengeance and streaked with tears.

Tyler frowned and looked over at Becky who was trembling and sitting on some guys lap while he pet her hair like she was an injured child.

“It just happened,” he mumbled, looking around at various guys as if they were going to give him a better answer.

His reply was so monotone and uncaring I wanted to punch him myself. I walked over to Lindy and rest my hand on her backside, glaring at Tyler as well.

Vinny stepped up beside me and rested his hand on my shoulder as if to silently tell me not to get involved. Lindy’s shoulders shook with her sobs and she looked to the frat guys watching her like she was an attack dog. “You’re all nothing but assholes! You all knew what he was doing and not one of you had the balls to say shit to me!”

“It’s code,” someone answered in the crowd. “We don’t snitch on each other.”

“Fuck your code!” Lindy snapped. She pointed at Becky who was holding a bag of ice over her bruised eye. “And you are nothing but a whore and you’re lucky they pulled me off when they did or I might have blackened both of your eyes, bitch.”

“Leave her alone Lindy, she didn’t do anything wrong,” Tyler defended, stepping closer to Becky.

I glared at Tyler, renewed anger surging through my veins. “I always knew you were a piece of shit. I’m just glad everyone else knows now too.” I pulled Lindy into my arms, letting her cry on my shoulder. “Don’t cry over him Lindy. He never deserved you.”

Tyler glared at me. “Shut up, Autumn.”

“No, you shut up, you asshole. You were never good enough for her, you used her!”

“Yeah and you didn’t? You are such a fucking leech, always needing a ride or some other shit!”

“I’m the leech? Please. At least I pay her rent, you freeloader!”

He focused on Vinny. “You leech off Vinny all the time. I really hope you’re not dumb enough to fall for her shit, Vinny. Vivian is ten times hotter and better for you than she is. At least she fucked you in a good way.”

That was it.

“Fuck you, you dick!” I released Lindy and lunged at him.  A firm arm wrapped around my waist before I could get to him. Vinny held me back against his chest and I inhaled his scent in a deep calming breath.

“Let it go,” Vinny growled into my ear.

“Okay! What the fuck is going on?” I looked up to see a familiar tall blond guy wearing a tight grey shirt and workout pants. It was Richie from the party. I realized that he looked a lot cuter when I was drunk. The fact that I let him get to third base made me quiver in disgust. He had sweat stains around his collar and underarms. I assumed he just arrived home from the gym. From his alpha stance, I could tell he was probably higher up on the food chain. The room got quiet as he looked from Lindy to Becky and grimaced.

“Is someone going to say something?” Richie demanded.

“Lindy found out Tyler is cheating on her.” Vinny explained.

“What did I tell you about bringing your girl-drama into the house, Vinny?” he asked, glaring at him.

“It wasn’t my drama, Rich.” Vinny said, his voice as abrasive as he looked. “This is between Tyler and his two girlfriends.”

“I’m sorry, Richie,” Tyler cut in. “It just happened. Lindy just came in here and started shit.”

“Maybe if you weren’t a cheating piece of shit she wouldn’t have had to.” I added.

Richie looked at me and his eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you the little drama-queen who cock teased me and then puked on the lawn?”

My face burned as everyone looked at me.

“Leave her alone, Richie,” Vinny said. “This isn’t about her. She’s not the problem.”

“She is the problem. She’s here uninvited and she caused drama. That makes her part of the problem, Vinny.”

“You act like you are so much better than me, Vinny.” Tyler cut in. “But you play the same game with girls. Speaking of which, how’s Vivian recovering from the other night?”

What the hell did that mean?
My already anxious nerves stung with unease and I looked up at Vinny.

Vinny gave Tyler a look to kill. “Tyler, shut the fuck up.”

“I don’t care who’s fucking who, all right?” Richie said holding his hands up. “All I know is that we need to get this shit-hole cleaned up, we have a party tonight. Vinny, take your number-one slam piece and Tyler’s used goods and get the fuck out of here. They aren’t welcome here at Alpha Tau. And you’re on thin ice too.”

I scoffed. “Did you just call me his slam piece?”

“No I called you his number-one slam piece. Would you rather I call you a cock-teasing piece of fresh meat?”

“Don’t talk to her like that.” Vinny snapped.

“Oh yeah? If it wasn’t for your punk ass, I could have had my fun with her then gave her to you. But you had to be selfish. Vivian always said you were a selfish prick, now I know why.”

“Last I heard you couldn’t even hold out long enough to get a girl off, man. I was doing her a favor.”

Richie’s jaw tightened and he pointed to the door. “Looks like we made the right decision on not letting you in. Get the fuck out.”

“Gladly.” Vinny took Lindy and I by the shoulders and led us out of the front door.

One of the brothers yanked the door open to let us out and we were met with a cold burst of wind. We stepped out on the porch and the door slammed behind us. Vinny sighed and led us to his car as if we were disobedient kids. Lindy slid into the back seat and I got into the front. Once we were all buckled in, he pulled away from the curb and released an irritated sigh.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Lindy? Why would you pull that shit?”

“Why? She stole my fucking boyfriend! That bitch deserved it.”

“You know Richie is never going let you back in there. You and Autumn are both banned now.”

“Who gives a shit?” she answered, her voice weak. “I don’t have a reason to go there anymore. I hate Tyler and I hate Alpha Tau.”

“Are you hurt or anything?” he asked glancing at her in the rearview. 

“No,” she sniffed, looking out of the window. “I just want to go home.”

Vinny shook his head and shifted gears, looking annoyed. I wanted to give Lindy credit for kicking Becky’s ass but I decided it would be best to keep my mouth shut for now. Within in minutes we pulled up in front of the apartment. Lindy got out first and headed upstairs. I stayed back and looked over at Vinny.

“Thanks for coming to the rescue.”

“Yeah,” he said sounding un-amused. “No problem.”

I frowned. “I’m sorry we ruined everything with Alpha Tau.”

He shrugged. “They are all assholes anyway.”

“So, maybe we can take a rain check on the movie night?”

He smiled some. “Yeah, I’ll call you. I’m going to go burn off some steam at the gym.”

“Okay,” I said leaning in to kiss his cheek, but he turned his face just in time and his lips caught mine. I melted into the kiss and rubbed my fingers over his cheek, the rough bristle of a needed shave scratching at my fingertips. His hand moved behind my head and held me there, extending the kiss a little longer.