“Y’all really left the keys in the car?” I taunt.
I throw it in reverse, careful but quick, my hands locked on the wheel. My heart’s pounding, but I’m not stupid—I know what I’m doing.
I swing around the divider fast, just enough to feel the rush, adrenaline burning through me.
Sonny and Ron are in the middle of the park, yelling, hyping me up like I’m the main event.
And I eat it up—every bit of it.
Until she shows up.
His girlfriend pulls in blasting music, doors rattling, smirk glued to her face like she owns the place. She doesn’t hesitate—not even a beat. She guns it around the divider in the opposite direction. Headlights slice through mine, blinding my view.
I jerk the wheel, brakes screeching. We stop inches away from crashing. My chest caves, all the air in my body gone, but somehow my pulse is still racing. I know I was doing fine and being careful.
A slight reckless but I had it under control.
Until Miss I-Wanna-Show-Out decided to turn my moment into a damn demolition derby.
Sonny runs up, face twisted, voice cracking with anger. Ron’s right behind him. They’re both shouting, cussing me out like I’m the reckless one. “What the fuck were you thinking? What if you crashed? Dumbass.”
Minutes later, the whole park glows red-and-blue. I sink into the backseat, legs shaking while Sonny and Ron talk to the cops.
“Who was driving?” the officer asks.
“I was,” Sonny lies, smooth as butter. “Just having a little fun officer.” My stomach knots. I know I messed up. And now he’s covering for me.
Fuck.
The ride home is dead quiet. I whisper, desperately, “I’m sorry. I’ll never do it again. Just—please don’t tell Mom.”
Sonny doesn’t even look at me. His jaw’s locked, eyes forward. Finally, he mutters, “I won’t… but don’t ever do that shit again.”
I rush to defend myself, hoping he’ll understand. “It wasn’t even my fault. I was fine until she pulled up—”
“Doesn’t matter,” he snaps, cold as ice. “The cops showed up Jainey. I could’ve gone to jail. You think Mom’s gonna hear about this and blame anyone but me?”
“You know how she is, Sonny—she’s only gonna care thatIdid it.”
I really hope he can keep this one between us. I don’t ask him for much—I never have. The least he can do is protect his little sister and keep his fucking mouth shut.
Roger’s car is parked out front—and my stomach drops.
I rush to my bedroom slamming door behind me, praying Sonny keeps his word. A few minutes later, I hear his voice in the living room with Roger.
My heart plummets.
He’s telling him.
I just fuckingknow it.
Then I hear her voice—sharp, slicing through the house.“JAINEY!”
My body goes numb. I manage to drag myself into the living room so she doesn’t have to call me twice.
That’ll only make things worst.
Sonny, Ron, and Roger all stand around watching me with pathetic looks on all their faces.
