I grab the sledgehammer and swing it down onto a computer monitor with all my strength. The sharp sound of impact echoes in the room. I smash it repeatedly, completely destroying it to the point where the monitor is unrecognizable.
With every swing and strike against the inanimate objects, the anger simmering inside me—toward my father, the blackmailing, being suspended—begins to dissipate.
By the end of our session, I feel the tension melting away, and the stress I’ve been carrying is replaced by a profound sense oftranquility.
“I really needed that. Thank you, Rosie.” I say, wrapping my arms around Annalise. “I had a lot of fun.”
“I’m glad you did.” Getting on her tiptoes, she plants a kiss on my lips. “I had too much fun.”
“Were you imagining the objects as Veronica’s face?”
“Oh, one hundred percent.” She lets out a laugh. “All of that wrecking burned all my energy. I’m starving now.”
“Wanna get some In-N-Out, go back home, and watch a movie?” I pull the car door open for her and she climbs inside.
“Fuck yeah!” She smiles.
Rounding the car, I climb into the driver’s side and put in the directions to the nearest In-N-Out.
Even on a weeknight, the drive-through line is long, wrapping around the building. Reaching over the console, I lace my fingers through Annalise’s.
“So, I have some news,” she says.
“Oh? What is it?”
“Bay City Marketplace reached out and asked if I would be interested in having a pop-up shop for my clothing line.” A huge smile stretches across her face and her eyes light up with pure joy.
“Wow, babe, this is huge!” I beam, giving her hand a squeeze. “When is this supposed to happen?”
“It’ll be the last weekend of the month, so a few weeks from now. If it goes well, they’ll continue allowing me to use the space on the weekends. I do have to pay a fee, but it’ll be a great alternative until I have enough money saved up to open up my own boutique.”
“I am so fucking proud of you. You’ll be able to leave Dauntless in no time.”
“I think I’m finally catching my break.” Her face splits into a wide grin. “Having an online shop is great, but it will make me so happy seeing people buy my clothes in person.”
“You’re gonna sell out within the first hour.”
The car behind me blares his horn. “You’re holding up the line!” he shouts.
I was so excited about Annalise’s big news, I didn’t even realize the line had moved. “What do you wanna eat?”
“I’ll take a combo number two with a Coke.”
“Animal style?” I ask.
She nods.
“Thank you for choosing In-N-Out. What can I get for you?” the worker says through the intercom.
“Can I get a Double-Double combo with a Sprite, and a combo number two with a Coke? Make it animal style.”
“Okay. Will that complete your order?”
“Should I ask them if they’re hiring, too?” I whisper to Annalise.
She shakes her. “You’re an idiot.”
I pull my car up and the worker—a teenage boy—pushes open the window. “Okay, sir, your total will be—no fucking way!” His eyes widen and he does a double take when he sees me. “Maddox Kamado, going through a drive-through? I have to be dreaming.”
