“Is he not working today?”
She laughs, but it isn’t a humorous sound. Rather, it’s filled with mirth. “Chad only works long enough to get a fix and then he bails out of the world for a week. He’s on day three of a crash. When he wakes up, he’s going to be pissed and take it out on me if I’m late getting his breakfast.”
“Do you need to go somewhere safe? There’s a shelter in the city. It’s a good place. They help young girls and women get away from abusive family situations.”
“No.” Her eyes are wide as she shifts backward and takes a step away from the curb. “I can’t go.”
“Yes, you can.” I don’t need her to draw a picture to know what she’s dealing with. If she doesn’t get the food to him in time, he’s going to use her as a punching bag.
“No, you don’t understand.” Her knuckles are white as she fists the plastic bag handles.
Son of a bitch. It pisses me the fuck off when assholes have people running this scared. “You’re right. I don’t understand, but I can get you somewhere safe. Get in, right now, and I’ll take you to a shelter. He’ll never know where you are. The shelter istop-notch. They’re adamant about safety and have the funds to back that promise up.”
“My mom went to one of those places.” Her eyes turn cold. “And my father found her. That’s why I’m with Chad. My father is serving ten years for involuntary manslaughter, and everyone knows that’s a joke. There was nothing involuntary about what he did to her.”
Fuck. Mackenzie is sixteen years old for fuck’s sake. She shouldn’t be living like this. “Listen–”
“I’ve got to go.” Her eyes narrow into slits. “I don’t need your help. Do you understand?” Her jaw is fixed as she waits for me to respond. She arches an eyebrow. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
Watching her leave to go back to that house with her asshole half-brother is worse than finding out Emily left my bed without a word. Emily’s life wasn’t in danger while I’m certain Mackenzie’s is.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Emily
Not every day is 50s Day at The Burger Bunker, but on the days that it is, you can jam out to “Jailhouse Rock” and tip your favorite waitress who’s wearing a black skirt that swings at her knees with a white scarf around her neck.
The sense of nostalgia is something I love. It kind of goes with our town and the desire to hold onto that seemingly innocent time in our history. I’m sure it wasn’t as innocent as it’s portrayed, but there’s nothing wrong with desiring a close-knit community and not worrying about your children playing in the streets.
“Here you go, Em.” Hannah, Jake’s sister, comes around the corner of the counter with a takeout bag clasped in her hand.
The only downfall? No matter where I turn, I’m confronted with reminders of Jake. If I’d known his sister worked here part-time, I’d have purchased frozen patties and potatoes from Brookhaven Market.
“Thank you.” I retrieve the order from her as their scent fills my nose. My mouth waters in response.
No. Jim’s cooking is worth the pang in my chest from seeing the similar cheekbones and nose that Hannah shares with her brother.
She crosses her arms over her chest. “How’s your mom?”
“She’s good. Come through the surgery with flying colors, and well on her way to annoying her physical therapist.
Hannah laughs. “I love that. I’ve always adored your mother.” Her eyes darken the second she utters the words as if she’s remembering her mother’s distaste when it comes to my mom and me.
“I should go.” I shift my weight and run my fingers over the slick surface of the bag.
“Yeah.” She nods and takes a step back. “I should get back to work.”
For some reason, I can’t get my feet to start moving. The clanking of plates as the dishwasher fills their next load interrupts the din of chatter and forks scraping on plates.
“It’s good to see you.” God, I’m pathetic. I can’t walk away from Jake’s sister as if standing here talking to her puts me one step closer to him. It doesn’t. He’s made his choice clear.
Fine. I was good enough for one night. But so is Amanda. Bile rises in my throat, souring my desire for food.
“You, also.” Hannah crosses her arms over her pink short-sleeved top, causing her white scarf to shift sideways. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Flashes of Jake’s face hovering above mine as he stared at me with wonder, mixed with desire, as I lay below him sear through my brain.
