19 - New Nightmares

                                    

                                          
This chapter is dedicated to NatalieNas - I admire your strength to master the challenges of motherhood. Thanks for all your support :)
                          


                          
19 – New Nightmares
                          
Rena's POV
                          
I woke up in a strange bed in a room that smelled a little musty and was in total disarray. Muffled music drifted up from downstairs, making the floorboards vibrate. I raised my head, just to fall back down on the pillow with a low hiss when pain shot through my head. It felt like it was about to be split in half, though the worst was the burning thirst in my throat.
                          
Closing my eyes, I tried to remember the events that had brought me up here. Drinking the beer with Conor was the last thing I could recall, after that, I had a total mental blackout. Had to have been the alcohol – I sure couldn't hold my liquor. Glancing around, my eyes tried to find a clock to see what time it was.
                          
The display on the small radio made me shoot up like a rocket. "Crap." It was almost 2:00 am. My sudden movement proved to be a big mistake when nausea overcame me. I was just able to pull the waste basket under my mouth before my stomach heaved. I hurled until I only choked up dry air, my whole body shaking when I sank back into the pillow. Every muscle ached and it took great effort to calm my ragged breath.
                          
The next shock followed when my eyes fell on my jeans and shirt that were mixed up on the floor with some other dirty guy clothes. By the time I realized that I was naked, I also noticed the sticky feeling between my legs which was all too familiar. My stomach cramped again – this time from disgust. There was no way I willingly had had sex with that guy. 
                          
I finally forced myself out of bed and fished my phone from my jeans. With a frown, I watched the display – seven missed calls, four of those from my dad, the others from unknown numbers and three voice messages. 
                          
With a sigh, I dialed my voice mail. My heart stopped beating when a snarling voice filled my ears. 
                          
"Miss Cooper, this is Marcus Forrester. I'm sorry to bother you during your outing, but it's almost midnight and my daughter called me in tears since she can't calm your son and you aren't answering your phone." Noah's screams in the background drove tears to my eyes. 'I'd appreciate a call back as soon as you get this."
                          
The next message was from him again, this time, his sarcastic tone had changed to pure anger. "I'll call your dad since I have to take Alyssa home and will also notify your probation officer. I hope this night was worth going to jail for, Miss Cooper."
                          
My mouth dried up, I was in deep shit.
                          
The final message was from my father. "Rena, I need you to come home NOW." There was nothing else, but his voice was such that he had been ready to explode.
                          
I tried to call him back, but his phone was switched off. With trembling hands, I slid into my jeans and pulled the shirt over my head, ignoring both the nausea in my throat and the urge to pee. I had to find Patrice and get home pronto. My feet screamed when I forced them back into the stilettos and I decided I would be better off in my bare feet.
                          
Bouncing down the steps, I disregarded the throbbing ache in my groin, fighting a tsunami of emotions. If I went home, I would be in so much trouble, if I didn't, my father would freak out. At least Noah was save with him. The fact that I might had unwillingly sex with a man had not fully registered – I was in a trance and only wanted the night to end. With the rest, I could deal later.
                          
The party had died down a lot and most guests remaining were either jerking on the dance floor with glassy eyes or had found a mate to make out with. I could not find Patrice anywhere. My purse was still in the back of her car – I didn't even have enough money for a cab.