“This is crazy,” she laughs.
“No, it’s not. You want the money, right?”
“Why wouldn’t I? My life would be set,” she tells me.
“Then I’ll help you get it.”
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Dead fucking serious. There’s no reason you should have to be unhappy the rest of your life when I’m here and can help.”
“This is insane,” she mumbles.
“It’s smart. Just think about it.”
“I will.”
“Good.” I shove to my feet and grab my bag, hoisting it over my shoulder before holding my hand out to her. River walks over and takes it in hers, allowing me to lead her out of the warehouse. We walk down the block and over to the bus stop, where we wait.
“Why don’t you buy a car?” she asks.
“Why, when I can take the bus?”
“Don’t you want to go see your sister?” That stings. I’d love to see her. I would love to spend time with her, but that would put a target on her with our mom, and I’m not willing to do that to her.
“It’s not that easy,” I reply, watching for the bus.
“Why not?”
“Jesus, River. All the questions,” I growl. She sighs, and I know she’s just trying to talk to me, get to know more about me, but this is a hard thing for me to talk about. Hell, I don’t even tell Jeremy everything about this.
“I don’t want my mom to start in with her. That’s why I stay away,” I finally tell her.
“You think she would do that?”
“I’m pretty sure she would. If my staying away keeps her safe, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“That’s sad. I wish it were different.”
“Me too.” The bus pulls up, and we board, finding a spot to sit and riding across town. When we get to the location, we climb off and head inside. Tonight’s fights aren’t at the same place as usual since there are going to be more people watching.
We head inside, and I find Jeremy already waiting for us. He motions for us to follow him, and we do. I keep River close, not knowing a lot of these people here.
When we get into the dressing room, I pull River aside.
“I know you like to use that mouth of yours, but not tonight.”
“What the hell does that mean?” she snaps at me.
“You know what I mean, River. Stay close to Jeremy and don’t say a word to anyone. I don’t know most of the people who will be here tonight,” I tell her. She nods her head, but I need more than that.
I reach up and grab her chin in my hand, forcing her to look at me.
“Say it.”
“Say what?”
“That you’re going to keep your mouth shut.”
