“Yeah, you know the Globe doesn’t shred itself. It’s…” Waiting for his name, my eyes do that annoying squint over a lazy grin.
“Rocket,” he cheeses.
“Rockeettt! Yeah, I knew it was something cool as hell. How you been, man?”
I didn’t know. I completely forgot.
He lets my hand go, still smiling like I’m Jesus coming to take him home. “Just living the dream.” Spreading his arms out, he looks around his paradise with flashes of rainbow reflecting off his glasses.
“Here’s the thing,” I start, pulling out a ten-dollar bill from my pocket. “I’ll give you this, re-up your slushy, and get you a pizza if you help me with something.”
“Deal,” he agrees easily.
Passing the cash his way, my brow lifts. “Not even gonna ask what you’re getting yourself into?”
“Nope,” he pops the P, gladly taking the folded bill and treasuring it in the pocket with his tickets. “Better to ask for forgiveness than beg for permission.”
“I… I’m not sure that applies here, but I’m catchin’ what you’re throwin’. And honestly, I don’t like it. You shouldn’t make deals with strangers.”
He shrugs, taking a slurp of his ICEE. “If the price is right-”
“What? No,” I shake my head, my brows furrowing. “If a man came in here and said,‘Hey, little boy, I have candy in my van,’what are you gonna do?”
“Depends on the candy.”
“Rocket, no.” Huffing, I pinch between my eyes, quickly looking around. “Where is your mom?”
Using his massive cup, he directs his straw toward the blonde lady snapping on a hunk of gum behind the prize and snack counter.
“Ohh, that’s why you’re here all the time.” Slapping a hand to his back, I get him turned around and head toward her.
She meets my eyes, her face falling with the slump of her back. “Is he in trouble? I can see if his dad will come get him.”
“Nah.” Stopping on the other side of the counter, I fold my arms up and lean on the glass, doing a scan of the rubber ducks and packs of Silly Bandz. “I just wanted to make sure you were cool with me getting some help from him on my computer.”
“Oh,phew.” She wipes her face, smearing the chalky eyeliner around her eyes. “That’s fine.”
Why are they both so willing? I could be a serial killer.
Hesitating, I knock my knuckle on the glass and straighten up, giving him a pat into gear. “Let’s rock. We’ll inject you with some more sugar and sodium when we’re done.”
I’d like to be quick as fuck so I can get back to Bunny and suffocate between her legs. Then make her fuck me in the Photo Booth.
But this is for her. So, I’m willing to stay patient with his short-legged stride out into the beating heat—all the way to the office.
Don’t shit yourself. I had to break the lock since my pants miraculously went missing with the key, but we managed to get rid of Carl’s body this morning before the park opened. I wouldn’t traumatize a kid like that.
Or would I?
Is that my plan? Fuck him up the way I’m fucked up?
Alright, I’m done messing with you. Why don’t you go check on Bunny or something?
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
BUNNY
Tucking the last section of hair into a low, spiky bun, I avoid my reflection in the bathroom mirror, absently staring at the sink to will away the tears still burning at my eyes.
