Chapter 118 - The Unwelcome Guest

Lance.

I miss him so much. I am slowly losing my mind in his absence. I don't know why he would leave me for this long and it is driving me insane.

''Dude, what the fuck,'' I exclaim from the shock of the sight in front of me. Jack struggles to walk into the apartment, I see the pain in his eyes. Damn, his dad really did damage on him this time.

''It is not as bad as you think,'' he tries to sugar-coat it but he seems to have forgotten that we are best friends. I know him more than I even think he knows himself. He sits down on the couch next to me and I reach for his face. He flinches when I touch his nose ''Fuck Lance,'' he cries out in pain.

I raise a brow ''Thought you said it wasn't that bad?''

He chuckles ''It is not that bad,'' he interjects in refusal. I don't actually believe him but there is no point in arguing with him. The fact that he is even smiling right now makes me worry less. 

''So has Patrick been good to you. I am sure he is still worrying?'' I ask trying to change the topic. I don't want to talk about shitty parents right now. I have been thinking about John all day and all the things he said to me. Ford hasn't really told me anything about his mother. I don't know the story with that. It is not that I am not curious, but I know Ford. He will tell me all about it when he is ready. I trust him completely and wholeheartedly. 

''He is worrying more than he needs to. I don't know how to convince him that this is not a big deal.''

I roll my eyes because this is serious. Bill did a number on him and he doesn't want to accept it. I have known about his father's abusive tendencies and I have tried to keep him away but with this happening, I don't know if it is a good idea for him to keep on living with the man. 

''He has every right to worry.''

He sighs ''No he doesn't, this is not the first time this has happened. So there is nothing to worry about.''

He is not listening to himself right now.

''You know this won't be the last time. Bill has lost his fucking mind. I have half a mind to go over to the apartment and kick him in the nuts.'' 

This gets a laugh from him. As usual, I try to lighten the mood, but this is not something funny. 

''I'm serious Jack. Move out of his house.'' I tell him blankly. 

He shakes his head ''You know I can't do that. At least not yet. He will look for me and there is only one place he will find me…Your place. I don't want to involve you in his drama.'' 

He already knows that I am involved. Jack is my best friend. He is like a brother to me. I love him so much and the fact that he is going through all this is hurting me. 

''Why are you so fucking stubborn?''

He laughs again ''Just give me some time. I will handle this,'' he brushes it off like he usually does. I don't argue with him when he is like that, I like to leave him alone. I just have to be there for him. That is all I can do. 

''So, you never told me the details of your meeting with John,'' he reminds me of the one thing I wish I could forget, especially since this is all I have been thinking about. 

''It's a long fucking story,'' I remember the conversation. 

I remember all the things he said and all I want to do is talk to Ford about it. John said he wasn't going to mention anything to him, and I want to believe him, but I also know I have to tell him before shit hits the fan.

''Is it as bad as you are making it out to be?'' 

That's the thing with Jack. Even when it is obvious that I don't want to tell him about something, he wouldn't push or pester. He is the only one that has that patience for me. 

A knock on the door interrupts the conversation and we both look at the mahogany at the same time. The knock continues and for a second, my heart races against my chest. 

I don't know when he would be coming back and I cannot wait to see him. I jolt up from the couch in a hurry to see who it is. The moment I open the door, the smile wipes out of my face and is replaced with disgust—mixed with anger. God, she makes me so fucking angry

What is she doing here?

'Hey,'' she says forcing her way into my apartment. I close the door behind her as she takes further steps into the living room.

''What are you doing here?'' I ask her directly.

There is no reason for her to be here. I haven't heard from Lisa since the night of the party. Her silence scared the crap out of me because I still don't know how to handle it all but Ford said I should stay away from her and ignore her messages. He said he was going to handle it, even though I have no clue, I trust him completely.

''I came to invite you for a party,'' she bats her lashes and starts to twirl her hair around her index finger. Jack stands up from the couch and walks over to her. Her eyes shift to him and her smile widens ''Hello Lance's hot friend,'' she greets him with that flirty smile, suddenly noticing all the bruises on his face ''Oh, what happened to you?'' 

He ignores her question as she turns around and faces me again. 

I roll my eyes ''I am not interested in going anywhere with you,'' I tell her blatantly.

She sighs ''you have no choice. Come on, get ready.''

''Lisa, you have no right barging into my house and demanding shit. I am not your friend and I never will be, so please get the fuck out of my apartment right now.''

My tone is harsh. I can't even believe I have all this pent up anger within me. There is nothing I can do and she is here, rubbing it in my face. ''You know that is not a nice thing to say,'' she walks away from Jack and back to me, her eyes bore into mine ''Get ready. You know you have no choice.''

From the tone of her voice. I know what she is trying to do. this is her form of blackmail. She is basically telling me that if I don't come with her she will release the video. She doesn't have to say those words out loud because I already know. 

''You're a bitch,'' I snarl at her. 

This gets a chuckle from her and Jack raises a brow in question ''Am I invited for this thing?'' he asks. 

He already knows what is happening. I don't even have to spell it out for him. Lisa is making things pretty obvious. 

''The more the merrier,'' she gleams excitedly like we are just a bunch of friends going out for a good time. I walk into my room as she takes a seat on the couch. Jack follows behind me quietly, once the door is closed, he opens his eyes wide from the shock of the whole situation.

''What the fuck dude,'' he exclaims loudly. 

I release a heavy breath because this is crazy to me ''I need to call Ford. He said I should avoid her at all cost.''

I actually don't think this is a good idea but I don't know what to do again. I reach for my phone and dial his number immediately. His phone goes straight to voicemail. This is what I have been going through for the past week. He has been awol and there is no one else I can talk to. 

''He is not answering,'' I whine unsure of what to do next. 

''Send him a text,'' he suggests. 

At this point, I don't even know what to do again. Lisa must be up to something. I mean, there is no other reason she would be here. Whatever she is up to, I have to be one step ahead of her. I can't have any more slip-ups. We are dealing with too much right now. 

I send ford a message and I change my shirt. jack follows me out of my room and she stands up from the couch. 

''Ready?'' she slings her arm around mien. The irritation I feel is intense but there is nothing I can do. I haven't really spoken to Ford all week and I am already so worried sick. Things didn't really go well with his father and I haven't had the guts to tell him yet.. Once he comes back I plan on telling him everything but for now; I need to handle Lisa before she wrecks us completely.