The Arrangement (unenhanced Edition) by AnnaRCase (books to read now .txt) 📖

                So many other awful diseases took a backseat. Diseases which still existed but now the focus was shifted. Now many of them were left without hope. And people like Grayson were royally fucked over because of it. There were only so many bullets a person could dodge. And poor Grayson, born into the lap of luxury, behind impenetrable walls, was still born infected after all. Well that was some fucked up shit.

                Amberleigh eyed the puddle of liquor on the floor and wondered if she’d been too hasty in her decision to smash that bitch. She wondered if she was above licking it up off the floor. The floors in this place were pretty fucking shiny and clean. Her other option was to choke on her fucking pride and go back to the kitchen. She’d been a fucking cunt for sure. But what Grayson had done was still shitty. Still reckless and fucked up. Even if it’d been his daddies’ idea. It was still J.r.s dick trying to plant his fucked up seed inside some unsuspecting woman.

                There came a knock on the door. She was still sprawled across her bed with her laptop open, looking like her mother Krystal when she returned after a few days of a drug fueled binge. She turned her pillow over to hide that black smudged evidence and used her sweater to further wipe away the tears and snot. She hoped it wasn’t Grayson, because she didn’t think she could face him at the moment. But by the state she left him in, it was unlikely. Leo was the more likely choice. And not much of a better alternative at the moment. Not after the way she’d made the chef’s friend turn to the bottle.

                “Amber? I know you probably want to be alone, but I just had to make sure you’re okay? I haven’t heard from you in a while…” came Leo’s worried voice.

                No fucking way would she convince Leo she hadn’t been crying. She’d always been one of those unfortunate types, that when their ass cried, all the other motherfuckers knew it.  Her face got red and blotchy clear down to her tits. It really wasn’t a pretty sight looking like she’d stayed too long under a fucking sun lamp.

                  Not that she cried often. Amberleigh had learned at an young age what crying got you, locked in the fucking closet by your mom’s latest strung out boyfriend, or smacked in the face when your mother was coming down off something and trying to get some damn sleep.  And at times, crying even made things so worse when you had the unfortunate circumstances to cross paths with individuals who got off by your crying and begging while they tortured you. But that gem from her teenaged years turning tricks in the fringe, was a story for another time.

                Leo knocked again against the door. Perhaps if she ignored him, he’d go the fuck away. But it didn’t seem likely as the knob was turning. Well well, Mr. Manners was breaking a cardinal rule indeed, barging into a lady’s room uninvited. He peeked his head in slowly and she was tempted to pretend she was sleeping.  He exhaled sharply when he made eye contact.

                “Pardon my intrusion. But I was worried about you. Not to mention I heard something breaking a while back,” his warm brown eyes took in the shattered remnants of the vase and the bottle of Grey Goose, “You’ve been busy I see.”

                “I’m sorry about the Vodka Leo. Watch out for the glass.”

                He shut the door gently behind him and walked over to the bed. His eyes were assessing her. She felt like the biggest bitch in the fucking world at the moment. He tiptoed around her mess and sat down on the edge of her bed.

                “I’m sorry about a lot of things Amber. And I need you to know you have every right to feel angry about this situation. About the Arrangement.”

                Leo’s patted her arm softly. Perhaps just to reassure himself she was still there, or maybe to reassure her feelings actually meant something after all. The chef validating her feelings meant more to her than he would ever know. His eyes drifted to the laptop screen. It was paused on a documentary about treatment of the disease.

                “Of course I do. It was fucked up thing to do. But I understand why he wouldn’t want anyone to know about his disease Leo. But it still doesn’t excuse what he did.”

                “I agree. I guess we can be thankful you didn’t get pregnant Amber. And I doubt he’ll try this fucked up arrangement again. His father will be pissed, but I think Grayson will stand firm on this. I think you got through to him.”

                She sat up on the bed and pulled a pillow to her chest. A shield to hide behind. But it still wasn’t enough to stop the feel of the arrows piercing her heart. The fresh salty burn in her eyes.

                “I didn’t mean to be so fucking harsh to him, Leo. How’s he doing? And I don’t just mean after I was a total bitch to him.”

                “He’s sleeping right now. I can read him better than anyone else I think. And the truth is Amber, he’s fucking scared. He throws himself into his work as a way not to deal. To stay distracted.  I have to practically force feed his ass to get him to eat properly. He barely sleeps. I’ve tried to get him to go to a therapist for years now, but he’s stubborn as fuck.”

                “He’s lucky to have you Leo.”

  Leo chuckled, “I’ll bet I’m not his favorite person at times. He doesn’t always appreciate my cooking. A healthy, protein rich diet is critically important for him. As well as regular exercise and keeping in shape. I did a shit ton of research myself on his disease. Spoke to an expert on Huntington’s. I even took some basic life support training at the fire station. As this thing progresses, he’s at an increased risk of choking…”

                She drew in a deep breath, “Jesus. You’re a fucking saint Leo. Like the most selfless person I know.”