Thankfully, he exited the car and started toward the club. The lady backed up, peering at the us as she slowly passed and navigated back onto the highway.
“Thank God,” I whispered, not at all ready for another dose of confrontation.
The knuckle against the passenger window nearly took my soul from my body. I screamed, flailed, and shoved Joplin back against the seat when she sucked in a breath and sat up without warning.
“Sorry,” Anthony called, holding his hand out and stepping back a bit. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just…”
“We’re leaving,” I lied, grabbing for the keys that were still dangling from the steering column.
He opened Joplin’s door, ignoring my statement, until he was half in the car, “You’re not. The tire is flat, and the rim is fucked. Stop. Please? Just Breathe. Come in and relax a min—”
I erupted with laughter, clapping a hand over my mouth, only for another round to escape.
He stared at me like I’d lost it, and inside, I knew I had a little.
“I can’t take her there. I just rescued her from a hell house; it wasn’t to run her to the first stage we found. No thanks.”
I reached over Joplin, intent on shutting the door once he got out of the way.
“I wasn’t offering anyone a job. It’s just a building right now. No one is in there. I’m not opening it for business today, either.”
“Right. You’re gonna call off all the day’s profits for you and the girls, just to entertain me and my kid sister?”
He hefted one side of his mouth toward a smile, “I could let you believe that if it helps, but no… My little brother was just arrested by the military. I’m not really in the mood today and I’m already short a few.”
He cocked his head toward the building, “Come on, straight to the office. I’ll get you both a cold drink and you can nap on the sofa until you figure shit out.”
I gripped the steering wheel, terrified to let go. Not because of anything he’d do to me, more because I didn’t trust myself. I couldn’t stay in Swanwick.
Joplin couldn’t stay in Swanwick.
I couldn’t let her go back to Larry and my mom.
Before I could decide, Joplin jumped out like he’d invited her to her first concert.
“Come on, let’s go.” She took off for the front door.
Anthony smiled, and stood, following along without waiting for my confirmation.
“Shit.” I scrambled to get the seatbelt off and grab my bag.
He did exactly as he said, herding her by the shoulder toward the office, when she tried to step toward the showroom in that curious way.
“If no one is in there…” Joplin protested.
“No deal.” Anthony shook his head, tapping the door open. He remained there in the hallway, waiting for me to catch up.
I paused, unsure of what to say or how to act.
“Let me get you something to drink,” he whispered, staring into my eyes, before speaking a bit louder, “Do you have a favorite juice or soda?”
“Pepsi?” Joplin asked with a hint of hope in her tone.
“You got it.” He sauntered down the hall and returned a moment later with two drinks in hand.
I took it but didn’t bother opening the can.
“You good if I borrow her a minute?” Anthony looked at Joplin and asked, without consulting me.
