I narrow my eyes. “What picture?”
We don’t have many pictures taken together during that time. If we have, I’ve never seen them.
He shakes his head, looking away. “Just…uh, I could’ve sworn I saw a picture of you on Tobias’s Instagram. You two were younger.”
I frown. “Huh…”Weird but okay.Neither of us has any pictures of each other from when we were younger on our Instagram. Is he lying or is he just mistaking us for someone else? I’ll have to check our socials later.
I look him over. This may be the perfect opportunity to find out more about him.
“You’ve got a special someone yourself?”
He throws the cloth in his hand over his shoulder and thinks about his answer. “Nah. I’m a free agent at the moment.”
“Oh, not looking for anything?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m open to it.” He shrugs, casually. “It’d just take a really special person to deal with me and my shit.” The corner of his mouth perks up into a smile.
I nod my head and look down at my hands. So, he’s single, open to new relationships, and he looks likethat.
I’m not jealous.
I’m not.
So why the fuck am I gripping the edge of the bar like it owes me money?
10
Tobias
I grip the steering wheel as I pull into the back parking lot. The sky lightens to blue, reminding me exactly where I should be instead of here: at home, tangled in Elijah’s arms as he sleeps peacefully on my chest.
I grab the ring that’s hanging around my neck. I feel sick knowing I’m lying to him like this. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Sneaking out without him knowing at the crack of dawn. I hate Derrick with everything inside of me and I hate how weak I am even more.
I think about how powerful I felt smashing my fist in his face last summer. The way I reclaimed my energy. How wonderful it felt to have his life in the palm of my hand for a change.For once.
And above all, how proud Elijah was of me. How he jumped into my arms afterwards because I finally stood up to the fucker.
You know what?Fuck this.I’m out of here.
Placing my hand around my keys, I start the car up again.
I’ll go to the cops and they’ll help me. They’ve got to. And if they don’t…I’ll figure it out.
I see a curtain move in one of the hotel room windows. I know that’s him because he texted me that he’d be watching for me.
Always fucking watching me.
Fear crawls up my spine as I think about that. No matter what I try to do, he’salwaysfound a way to sneak back into my life. Why would I think this would be any different?
I hang my head, remembering what he said over the phone.
The first time was a warning but this time I’ll make sure I get the job done.
His voice loud and clear in my head reminds me just how caged in I am. How little choice I have.
I pick up the duffel bag beside me and open the car door.
Locking my car, I head toward the pale green motel door, its rusty number nineteen hanging crooked. From the sight of it alone, it’s an old, disgusting hotel for runaways just like himself. It’s no surprise they’d let him in without any official identification. They probably don’t give a shit as long as they’re getting paid.
