I pull the last trash bag from the bin. The plastic is warm, heavy, and the smell is awful. I tie it too fast and the knot slips, so I do it again, slower this time.
“Just get through tonight,” I whisper to myself.
I push the back door open with my shoulder and step into the alley.
The cold slaps my face. It’s dark, except for the dull glow of a streetlight at the far end. I head toward the dumpster, ready to be done, ready to go home and crawl into bed.
I’m halfway across the alley when a shape detaches itself from the wall.
My heart drops.
Gerard.
He steps into the light, arms crossed, eyes glassy from the wine he’s been drinking all night.
“Leaving without saying goodbye?” he drawls.
My grip tightens on the trash bag. “I didn’t think it was necessary. I’m off.”
“I say what’s necessary.” He takes slow steps toward me. “You forgot your place tonight.”
I swallow hard. “I did everything you asked.”
“No,” he disagrees, stopping right in front of me. “You talked back. You disappeared on a break without permission. And you’ve been acting off.” A look I can only interprete as disgust crosses his face.
“I’m tired?—”
“You’re disrespectful,” he cuts in. “But we can fix that.”
He reaches out and grabs my arm. The trash bag falls to the ground with a thud. I try to pull back, but he tightens his grip.
“Gerard,” I call, breath shaking. “Let go.” My voice is quiet but I’m boiling with fury already.
He tips my chin up with his thumb. “See? Better already. You look pretty when you’re quiet.”
My stomach twists. “Please stop.”
“You need this job.” His voice drops, quieter, deadlier. “Your mom needs those pills. I’ve seen the pharmacy receipts on your station. I know how bad it is.”
My blood runs cold.
“You don’t want to lose your hours,” he murmurs. “And I don’t want you to lose them. So you’ll do something for me. Put that pretty mouth of yours to good use for once.”
He leans in and brushes his mouth over mine. It feels like my skin is crawling away from my bones.
“Go on,” he urges, pointing a finger to his crotch.
Right then, the full meaning of his words sinks in.
“No,” I whisper.
“Yes.” He smirks. “Now get on your knees.”
No fucking way.
But even as I’m thinking that, I realize I’m cornered.
I back up, but he follows. My breath stutters. My vision flickers at the edges. My pulse races so fast it feels wrong, like something inside my chest is misfiring. “Gerard?—”
