Silence.
“Did he hit you, Zinnia, because—”
“No, he didn’t,” the young soft voice says.
“Lily!” The man’s voice booms through the house again.
A door shuts. The young girl’s crying gets muffled.
I move back to the other window, duck down, and listen.
Jax cuts around the corner, so I wave him over to hear this shit.
The man’s voice is closer now. “Do you have any idea what you cost me tonight?”
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
Dad?
Shit.
“You see, Lily—sorry just isn’t enough.”
Jax crouches next to me. The look in his eyes is feral. Dark. Ready for a fight. His jaw clenches, so I’m on edge now.
“Dad, please hear me out. Elle begged me to go to the hockey game. She bought me a ticket. We’re becoming best friends, and I couldn’t say no, and I knew you’d say no, so I—”
“So you lied?”
Silence.
“Do you know how much I hate liars?”
“I know, Dad. I swear it won’t happen again. I’ll watch Zinnia, okay. Whatever you need. I’ll skip class. I’ll... I’ll work two jobs to help with bills.”
I see Jax’s jaw clench. The light from the house lights up his face. It’s clear that he’s livid.
I lean against the siding and keep listening.
“Give me your phone.”
“Dad.” Her voice cracks. “Please, don’t take my phone away.”
“Give it to me or—”
I stare at the ground.
“Who the fuck was that boy?” the dad asks.
“I don’t know.”
“Tell me his fucking name!” The asshole is shouting now.
“What are you gonna do?” Her voice is shaking. “Call him?”
“Give me his fucking name right now!”
I look at Jax, confused.
