He pats my thigh, leaving his hand there. “Some things are better left unsaid.”
“I should go.”
“Finish your drink,” he urges. “It isn’t often I get the company of a beautiful girl. Indulge me for a bit.”
“Why did you move to Hood River? Why didn’t Lacey come with you?”
His eyes flash with annoyance and he gives my thigh a rough squeeze. “Hood River is our hometown. We needed a break.”
“From her mother?” I ask, unable to keep the bite out of my tone.
He releases my leg to tug out a package of cigarettes from his front pocket. After pulling out a cigarette, he offers me one. I shake my head in disgust. Shrugging, he lights up, sucking in a deep lungful of smoke.
“It’s better for Zella to forget about Lacey,” he says, blowing the smoke right in my face.
I start to cough, which gives me an excuse to set my glass down on the table. “Girls need their mothers.”
His jaw clenches, eyes narrowing on me. He takes another drag of his cigarette, studying me harder than before. Shit. I need to reel back so he doesn’t send me packing.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, nearly choking on the words. “I’m not trying to be nosy. I just know I’d be sad if I didn’t have my mom.”
My answer pleases him because he relaxes. “Not every mother is cut out for parenthood. Some mothers fill their children with bullshit nonsense. Lacey liked to tell Zella lies. Promise her things that couldn’t happen.”
I have to find Lacey and help her too. It sounds like this asshole was a real peach to be around. And if I’m not mistaking the vibes he’s throwing out, he kidnapped her daughter.
I’m in deep.
No turning back now.
“I should go.” I start to rise, but his hand clamps down on my thigh.
“Stay for a bit so we can go over the rules.”
I swallow down the bile that his touch causes to rise inside of me. “Okay.”
“No boyfriends are allowed over.” He pins me with a hard stare. “No television for Zella. No computer or phone games. I don’t want her playing outside. When you’re watching her, I want her inside this house. Reading books or practicing her letters. If she misbehaves, then you’re to notify me immediately. I will punish her accordingly.”
Fuck no.
“Punish?”
He leans back on the sofa, lifting his protruding belly to show me his belt. “An ass whipping does wonders to keep a child in line.” His disgusting gaze sweeps over me. “No matter how old the child is.”
I will strangle him with that belt.
“My dad never spanked me and I turned out fine,” I bite out, unable to stop myself.
He squeezes my thigh again, hard enough I’m sure it’ll bruise. “He probably should have. Lacey would never have spoken to me at your age the way you’re speaking to me. I would have bent her over my knee and whipped her ass.”
“You’re hurting me,” I grind out.
His hold relaxes, his thumb rubbing the spot. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Sometimes I don’t know my own strength,” he says around his cigarette. “You forgive me?”
No.
Fucking never.
“I, uh, yeah. I gotta go. I told Dad I’d only be gone for a little while.” I quickly stand, putting distance between myself and this motherfucker. “I’ll see you around.”
He stubs out his cigarette in the ashtray and stands. “I’ll text you next time I need you to sit. If it’s late you can always sleep over.”
Hell to the motherfucking no.
“My dad won’t allow that,” I bite out. “But, sure, text me. Later.”
He stops me, his hand curling around my elbow. “I think this is going to be a good fit. I can tell you’re a good girl who obeys rules. Rules are very important in this house. Girls who follow them are rewarded. Those who don’t are punished.”
If only he knew how much I wanted to shove my Mace can in his face and empty it into his mouth.
“Perfect,” I blurt out. “Bye.”
He winks at me. “Bye, sweetheart.”
My skin continues to crawl long after I leave his house and am miles away from him.
What have I done?
What’s necessary.
Remember the plan, Penny. Remember the plan.
Terrence
She’s avoiding me.
I don’t understand why.
Penny is so hot and cold, keeping her emotions fiercely guarded. I want her to let me in so I can help with whatever plagues her.
“That’s it,” Carlos says. “Ten more reps.”
Sweat rolls down my temple as I lift my leg up off the table and bring it up as high as it’ll go, which isn’t far. It’s been a few days since Penny urged me to see a physical therapist again. I wasn’t happy about it, but she’s right. If I want to help her, I need to be able to help her. Something about the way those motherfuckers treated her has had my blood boiling ever since. When the time comes, I want to be able to chase after them if need be.
“I’m tapping out,” I grumble.
“I’ll assist on the rest.” Carlos holds on to my knee, keeping my leg straight, and lifts my leg at the ankle. “Tell me when.”
“When,” I grit out.
Of course he takes me just a bit further. Asshole.
“You’re done for the day. Why don’t you come back tomorrow and we’ll hit it again,” he says, grabbing my hand and helping me sit up. “Is it a date?”
I laugh. “Sadistic fuck.”
“I’ve been called worse by my ex-wife.” He winks at me. “Ice that hip tonight if it gives you trouble.”
After grabbing my bag, I hobble out of the clinic, feeling all too sore. Cal’s supposed to pick me up, but he’s nowhere to be seen. What the fuck? I shoot him a text.
Me: Dude…
Cal: Sorry. I had to run Charlotte to Samantha’s office. We finally have a trial date.
I need to get my ass down to the dealership and get another car.
Me: Great. I’ll walk my ass home.
Cal: No, you won’t, crybaby. Roan’s on his way.
Because I’m a dick, I send him a huge thumbs-up emoji. He doesn’t respond, which makes me laugh. I park my ass on a bench, waiting on my ride. While I wait, I text Penny.
Me: You want to come over and hang out?
I’m tired of her ass avoiding me.
Penny: Can’t. Busy.
Me: Whatever, Penny. I don’t know what I did to deserve to be pushed away, but it’s fucking cruel.
I hit send before I can stop myself. As soon as I do, I feel like an asshole.
Penny: I’ll come over around eight. Will you still be crying in your Cheerios then? I hope so. I enjoy making fun of you.
A smile touches my lips.
Me: Mean-ass.
Penny: For some reason, you like it.
Me: For some reason, I like you. Let me take you out on Friday.
Penny: Can’t. Your cousin needs entertainment.
Me: My cousin is grounded.
Penny: Queen Tee talked your grandma into letting me spend the night. One of my duties as her best friend, she said. Peopling is hard, Smash. I prefer solitude.
Me: Want me to come over too?