She takes it but looks at it. “Edge? This has green stuff on the bread.”
I shrug. “I’m lucky I got us this. My old man ain’t been shopping in days. I think one of his bitches brought it over.” I smile at her, knowing she hates when I say stuff like that.
“You’re not supposed to say that,” she whispers, taking small nibbles on the end of the peanut butter bread.
“I know but they are.”
“My mom just forgot, even after I reminded her for days.” She puts down the bread. “Edge?” she whispers.
I stop eating and look at her. “Yeah?” Reaching for her hand, I find it’s cold and small.
“There was another man with her, not my dad. It was Gunner.” Her eyes are so big.
“Don’t tell anyone else.” I take her other hand as she clings to mine.
“Okay, they made me promise, but I can tell you. I can always tell you.” One big tear slides down her rosy cheek.
I pull away and reach for my peanut butter bread. I hate when Dolly cries. It makes me feel bad. “You’ve got to remember, Dolly, don’t tell nobody, especially not your dad.” I glance over at her and she nods.
“Because that’s why your mom is gone, right? You told?”
I can barely swallow as I try not to think about that. “Yeah, I told. You don’t ever tell, Dolly.” She scoots closer to me, and I shove the rest of my stale peanut butter bread into my mouth as her head rests on my shoulder.
She sighs. “I wish we had normal parents.”
I lean back against the wall and take her hand, dumping the gumball machine into it.
“Let’s see if it works.”
She lifts her head. “Okay.” She smiles a little and sits up to turn the top. Boom. Out comes a purple gumball.
“It worked. Want one?”
“Yeah, and Dolly?” She plops the gumball into my hand.
“What?”
“You can stay at my house tonight.” She smiles as she turns the red top and the yellow ball rolls out into her hand.
“You know I can’t. Why don’t you come stay with me?” She smiles as she chews her gum.
“My dad might not be back for days.” I start to throw everything into my backpack. “Your mom will get sick of me.” I reach for her hand. “Ready?”
She takes it and again gives me a big smile. “She won’t. She’s got her own stuff. Half the time, she’s in her room.”
“Good,” I mumble. Last thing I need is Dolly’s mom to bitch to my old man. The bruises from my last beating are still there.
I help her put on her backpack and she turns to face me.
“Thanks, Edge.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I grab her hand and pull her toward the window.
EDGE
Fifteen years old
“Dude?” Jason waves his stupid hand in my face. “Wake the fuck up. It’s time to roll.”
My eyes dart around the school parking lot as I look for her. It’s mass chaos, with everyone trying to get out, students everywhere, cars moving in and out, and trucks backing up. “We need to wait a second. Dolly said her practice was canceled today, so she’ll be here.”
A horn blares and I hold up my hand. It’s Chuckie and I don’t want to look at him; otherwise, he’ll make a big deal. I’ve been getting it nonstop about how I’m pussy whipped. The horn blares again as my friends start laughing and booing me.
“You better get your ass in the truck, Edge. I’m leaving.” This time I do turn to him.
“Dolly’s coming. Hold on.”
“Fuck that. She’s always late. You want to stay and wait for her fine, but your old man asked me to bring you to the clubhouse, so I’d get my ass in the truck, man.”
I don’t engage. Although I want to flip him off, I don’t dare. Chuckie’s next in line to be our president. I scan the parking lot one more time. Sighing, I make my way over to the truck.
Chuckie, Axel, Jason, and David are all in the large black Ford Explorer. Chuckie has a thing for cars along with bikes. He likes to deck them out, so the Explorer has chrome rims and fog lamps, which is stupid—we live in LA and don’t need them, but he’s all about the appearance.
“Hey.” I look in the cab. All of them are smoking already except Axel. He’s smoking weed instead of cigarettes.
“You guys go along. I’ll be there later.”
“You got to be shitting me!” Chuckie’s regular good-natured smile is gone and replaced with a pathetic sneer.
“What is wrong with you, dude? You fucking heard me. Get in. We need to roll. No bitch’s cunt is that special.” He snickers. “Especially one who doesn’t give it up.”
“Just, fuck… go.” My face heats with anger as I spit. It sucks being a fucking redhead.
Chuckie stares at me and shakes his head as he blows smoke in my face. “Suit yourself. Your dad ain’t gonna be happy.” He and Axel fist bump.
“Jesus, Edge, grow some balls and fuck some real pussy. You know what… get in and I’ll have Crystal take care of you.” He waits, the truck idling as all of my friends stare at me. I know they feel sorry for me or think I’m weak, but fuck them. They don’t understand.
Turning, I spit again and look at them. “Nah, I’m fine.”
Disgust crosses Chuckie’s face, making me question if something is wrong with me. He shakes his head as he starts to back out and then guns it through the crowded parking lot, causing kids to move and parents to honk.
Shit. He’s right. Everyone’s right I guess. I rub my hands across my face as the anger builds. My dad is going to freak. He’ll call me gay and whatever else he can throw at me. God, if Dolly would just give it up. But besides kissing and feeling her up, we never get very far.
It was a hell of a lot easier when her dad was living with one of his girlfriends. Now he’s back at Dolly’s house, which sucks. Between school and him, we can’t ever get anything started.
Shark didn’t become the VP by being stupid.
I need a cigarette. I should have bummed one off the guys. Instead I bite my nails as I wait for her.
Finally, the doors to the gym swing open and my heart starts to thud. I drop my hand and rub it on my jeans as I watch her. She’s with a group, and it’s not only her stupid cheerleading girlfriends. No, she’s walking and smiling at the fucking pathetic excuse of a quarterback from our high school. Her beautiful face beams with happiness as she laughs at something one of them says to her. As they get closer, I straighten up and Dolly looks over. She smiles and waves.
This fucking dick of a quarterback acts like his shit doesn’t stink. He’s one of those guys who makes everyone believe he’s genuine then stabs you in the back. I hate him. My fingers curl into a fist. If he lays one hand on her…
“Hey you.” Dolly stops, a small smile on her pretty, red glossed-up lips as she looks up at me.
“Took you long enough,” I snarl, causing her porcelain skin to pinken immediately.
She bites her full bottom lip and glances around at her pathetic friends. “What’s the matter?” She cocks her head, swinging her backpack on her shoulder. “I told you I would be a little late.” Her hand touches my chest and I grab her wrist to stop her.