“Yes—yeah, I did. I said thank you when I got them from him at the door.”
“Yeah, okay… Roger!” she yells, turning her head toward the hallway just to make sure he hears her. The damn birds outside probably hear her too.
Seconds later, Roger appears at my doorway, standing like the floor’s lava and he’s not sure where it’s safe to step.
“Did she tell you thank you? Because I didn’t hear it.”
“Yeah,” he answers, clearly caught off guard. “She said thank you when she walked through the door.”
“Mmhmm.” She scans my room, eyes narrowing like she’s hunting for something else to attack.
“And clean up this room—you’re fucking embarrassing. I’m trying to get this man to buy us a house, and if he thinks shit’s always gonna look like this, that’ll never happen.”
Lucky for her, I don’t plan on being here when that time comes.
She leans in close, lowering her voice so only I can hear. “Get your shit together before you get left the fuck out.”
She storms out, slamming my door behind her. The silence that follows just pisses me off even more. I glare at the doorway, a mix of anger and pure exhaustion dragging through my whole body.
Somehow, she always find a new, creative way to blame me for something.
I just hope Roger doesn’t think this little performance means I’m about to start calling himDadanytime soon. He’s just her fucking puppet—a wallet with a pulse.
I’d probably have a little more respect for him if he actually spoke up for himself once in a while. But he doesn’t.He just stands there and takes it, doing whatever she says like his spine’s on vacation.
The man practically jumps when she saysjump.I can’t help but wonder if he’ll still be hopping around once she’s drained every cent out of him. Maybe then he’ll finally realize she’s not a woman in love—she’s a manipulator who found her next payday.
I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my stomach twisting in knots I’ve stopped trying to untangle.
Same house.
Same games.
Same bullshit.
Just another reminder that around here, love always comes with a price tag—and she’s the only one cashing in.
Chapter Four
Broken Trust
T
he day starts like any other; me stuck tagging along with my brother Sonny and his shadow, Ron. Same damn park, same damn routine. It’s like Sonny’s allergic to taking me anywhere else just because I’m hislittlesister.
Fat chance I’ll embarrass him by existing.
But today’sdifferent. My brother’s new girlfriend is coming.
And I couldn’t care less. I’ve never liked any of his girlfriends. They’re all the same—loud, ghetto, and desperate for attention. Doing the absolute most, like being extra is a quality personality trait. Just recycled hoes with different names.
Sonny and Ron sit up front, clowning as usual,laughter bouncing off the car windows. They tell jokes so dark and twisted most people would call the psych ward—but they’re doubled over like it’s comedy gold.
I’m in the back, rolling my eyes, tossing in comments here and there. Half the shit isn’t even funny, but I laugh anyway.
The energy between them is contagious, even when I try to pretend I’m above it.
Then Ron does what Ron always does—something stupid. He leaves his keys dangling in the ignition. My eyes lock on them like a dare. Before either of them realizes, I slide into the front seat, hit the locks, and lean toward the window, grinning wide.
