I want to fist pump the air and shout hell yeah, but I’m not dumb enough to claim this as a victory. He let me go far too easily. I’m still indebted to Ray, and I know, without a shadow of doubt, that whatever favor he requests will be something dangerous and illegal.
José sneers at Sam. “Cute, nerd. But next time you try it, I’ll put a bullet in your skull whether the boss man gives an order or not.”
Nice of José to give Sam a backhanded compliment, but it’s time we get the hell out of here before they decide to shoot us for real.
24
Emily
I’m pacing outside Fleming Residence Hall, trying and failing to look inconspicuous. I’ve been here over an hour, and Adam is still a no-show. Sam isn’t around either. I only know because I snuck into the building via the back entrance and listened with my ear pressed to their door for any signs of life. After ten minutes, it was clear no one was home, so I came back outside to wait for them.
Adam has ignored the ten calls I’ve made since I hung up on him earlier, so I’m guessing he’s still pissed at me.
But I’m confident I can sweet-talk him around.
I’m not opposed to using my body if I have to.
But I’m fucked if I’m leaving here without Molly.
With every passing hour, I’m sinking deeper and deeper into a black hole, and my nerves are stretched tight.
Dusk is descending, and I fall back into the shadows, removing the sliver flask from the pocket of Adam’s oversized hoodie. I’d refused to give it back to him one time, and it’s become a comfort blanket of sorts this past weekend. His scent lingers on the fibers, and I inhale deeply, wishing he was here. I lift the flask to my lips, taking a healthy glug of alcohol. I drained the vodka last night, so I’ve moved onto gin now. It’s Mom’s special edition Tanqueray 10. She’ll blow a gasket when she discovers it’s missing, but right now, that’s the least of my worries. My hand shakes as I screw the cap back on, pocketing the flask when a familiar truck pulls up to the curb.
Licking my lips, I tug the hood down and smooth a hand over my hair to tame the wild strands. With more confidence than I feel, I stride toward Adam’s truck, ignoring the pulse beating wildly in my neck.
Sam spots me first, his brows climbing to his hairline. He nudges Adam, and his head swivels in my direction.
I suck in a shocked gasp. His nose is swollen and encrusted with dried blood.
“What happened?” I ask when I step in front of them. I lift my hand to cup Adam’s face, but he steps back, out of my reach.
Rejection is swift and painful, and I swallow over the lump clogging my throat.
“Your father is what happened,” Adam spits out. I’ve never heard or seen him so mad.
“My father did that?” My voice betrays my incredulity.How the hell did my dad find out about us?
“What did you think would happen when you outed me to him?”
“Adam.” Sam’s tone is cautionary.
“This is between Emily and me,” Adam replies, eyeballing his friend as he levels a silent communication.
“Maybe you should take this conversation someplace else,” Sam suggests, glancing all around him.
“Let me worry about that,” Adam curtly replies.
Sam bobs his head, glancing at me briefly before walking off.
“Why are you here?” Adam asks, reminding me I have a goal.
“I need Molly,” I whisper under my breath, risking a step closer to him again. He sidesteps me, and hurt batters me from all angles. But I battle on because I’m desperate and that’s all that counts in this moment.
“You’re a piece of work, Emily.” He shakes his head, disgust washing over his face. “Did I mean anything to you at all, or was it convenient to date me for the drugs?”
“Why would you say that? You know that’s not true! You know how I feel about you.” A familiar fluttering feeling invades my chest, alongside the accompanying pressure, as anxiety runs rampant inside me.
“Save it for someone who buys your lies.” He moves to brush past me, and I grab hold of his elbow.
