Sydney Bay Janes

I was doing ninety trying to escape from that place. I had no idea how to get back to Delaney's from there, but that's not where I was trying to go anyway.

After scouring the internet and using Google Maps, I just asked Chyna to give me Damian's number. Once she sent it, I added his contact to my phone and called him. I felt bad for waking him, but rushed the conversation.

"Oh shit, is Will okay?" he assumed it was an emergency.

"Sure, he's fine. I just need his address," I spoke quick.

"I don't feel comfortable givin' it out," he stressed.

"Damian," I sniffled, "please, okay? I've been over there before. I just need to see him."

"Alright, I'ma text it," he yawned, ending the call.

I waited at the 'stop' sign on the lone road to check the message. Once I received it, I put it in the Maps and drove in the given direction.

*

I tried my best to get myself together before walking along the driveway to Wilson's front door.

There were no lights on and it's late, I figured he was asleep for work in the morning.

I sniffled, still wishing I had my father's shoulder to cry on, or my mother's calming voice to comfort me with the right things to say.

At the door, I inhaled deeply and pushed some hair behind my ear.

With a gulp, I raised my fist and knocked it against the mahogany front door.

Anxious, I looked around the yard and relentlessly patted my hand against a thigh.

It took a couple of minutes, but he finally answered the door.

"Sydney?" his voice strained.

I put on a wry smile and crossed both arms over my chest.

"As much as it pains me to say, you were right," my voice cracked and I tried laughing it off.

"Just please, don't rub it in," I sniffed, blinking the tears away.

Finn yapped on the floor as Wilson pulled my head against his chest and held me there.

I woke up feeling like shit. It wasn't like me to be so off my game and not notice what Wes was up to. Sure, he just wanted to fuck me, most guys do. But to set me up with other men, a girl, and a camera like that? If not a nightmare, I may need therapy.

Of all the shitty things men have done to me, I think that made the top five list. And that's with Tony's antics included. One to three are all Tony. Five is last night.
The third, the time I was parked outside in the mall parking lot. It was late, Chyna just needed to return something really quick. The only other cars weren't close to mine, no one was inside of them, and they belonged to the employees. I had texted Chyna to come on and when I put my phone down, I looked up only to see a strange man in nothing but an open trench coat and he was jerking off, staring right at me. He wet his ashy lips, had missing front teeth, and sported crazy eyes. It was literally traumatizing. I screamed out loud, turned on my high beams, and kept my hand on the horn until he scattered away. I triple checked to assure all doors were locked and every window was up. Then, I pulled up to the entrance and beeped for Chyna. At long last she ran out and hopped in the car. Fear was all over my face, she read it and laughed. I told her what happened and she took it as a joke. I didn't talk to her for days after that, it wasn't funny and she could've supported me.

The bed I lied in wasn't my own. I recognized the sheets, they were Will's.

When I sat up, I saw the sun was out. It was nine in the morning and while I didn't, for some reason, remember much of the night or feel tired, I felt like I got no sleep.

I wanted nothing more than to crawl under the covers and stay there forever.

No, but I thought to get up. I didn't want Will at work, wondering if the crazy brunette was tearing up his house, or not. However, it was reassuring, though, that he trusted me enough to leave me in his space alone.

While I should've just gotten dressed and went, I stopped in the bathroom to freshen up and relieve myself.

Like the rest of the home, Will's guest bathroom was fully equipped with essentials for guests from wash cloths, towels, body soap, new toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Hell, he even had shampoo and conditioner, as well as a bath robe and shower shoes. I started to second guess if that was all his doing. Something told me Diane -- his lifestyle blogger of a mother-- had a part.

After a shower, I returned to the master bedroom where I searched for my phone.

I smiled when I saw Will had put it on the charger near the far window. How thoughtful.

At the end of the bed, the rest of my things. They were folded and my keys on top, my doing.

I hardly felt like putting my romper back on so I didn't. Instead, I helped myself to the oversized light grey tee on the pillow next to where I laid my head.

With a scrunchie on my wrist, I tied my hair up into a messy high bun and made way downstairs.

"I don't give a fuck, he can't work for me anymore. If I see him, I'll--" Will talked in the phone.

Finn pranced to my ankles and wanted to play. As cute as he is, I couldn't bring myself to be in such a mood.

Will raked his fingers through his thick hair and watched me file inside the kitchen.

I took up a stool at the island and blinked my eyes his way.

"You didn't go to work," I noted.

"Figured you'd want someone to be here for you," he responded.

His kindness made my lips quiver. I frowned, feeling warm inside, feeling seen. Not even Chyna would skip work for me. She'd ask if I was okay and if I said yes, she'd go on about her day and really believe I'm fine.

Will took my hand and led me to the living room where he eased down on the couch and made sure I was comfortable.

"Wes?" is all he said. I nodded.

Will's eyes stayed on mine. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

I looked down at the way his hands slid off of mine and balled into a fist.

"No, but I think he would've," I let out.

It looked as if he didn't want to, but Will asked, "What happened?"

I swallowed hard, holding my elbows. My eyes flickered as I recalled the night.