Page 128
Not so long ago, I was exactly where she is, but I can’t say the same anymore. Not since meeting Chance.
“Vi, he manipulated you and you can’t blame yourself for that. Do you remember what you said to me after Austin hurt me?”
She looks up and nods, a smile teasing her lips. “We don’t make excuses for shitheads.”
“Exactly.”
“Is there more?” she asks, sighing as she stumbles back over to the couch and sinks into it.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
She pats the seat next to her and as I sit down, she reaches for my hand. “Let’s hear it.”
I explain the rest to her – the money transfers and burner phones – and when I finish, she scowls.
“And you think it’s all connected?”
“I think it’s too coincidental to not be connected but I have absolutely no idea how it all fits together.”
She nods, rubbing her temples with her fingers.
“Hey, what do you say I go grab us some junk food and we spend the day watching movies?”
A rush of air leaves her lips and she nods. “Yeah, that sounds really good, actually.”
“’Kay,” I say, jumping up. “You stay here and I’ll go grab supplies.”
She salutes me as she grabs the remote and presses play. The movie begins to play and I watch her for a moment before standing up and going back up to the room to grab my shoes. Once I’m ready, I grab Chance’s truck keys off the dresser and head outside. I know he told me to stay put but there’s a gas station just a couple of blocks down with a Redbox outside. I can be in and out in ten minutes and he’ll never even know I left.
Sexy Drug by Falling in Reverse starts playing as soon as I turn the truck on and I smile as I back out of the parking space. All things considered, my talk with Ivy went better than expected and I have faith that with a little time and heaps of support from Dottie, the club, and I, Ivy will be just fine. I know better than anyone she’ll always have scars no one else can see but, deep down, my sassy little sister is still in there.
As I pull into the gas station parking lot a few blocks down, I pull my phone out and smile at the text from Chance.
Chance:
Fuck, I’m so horny.
I laugh out loud and type my reply back to him.
Me:
And whose fault is that?
Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I climb out of the truck with a huge smile on my face. Everything seems to be falling into place and for the first time in a really long time, I’m excited to see where the future will take me. My phone buzzes repeatedly as I open the gas station door. I slip down the first aisle as I pull it out of my pocket.
Chance:
Yours.
Chance:
You better be waiting for me when I get back.
Chance:
I love you.
Nothing in the world could wipe this damn smile off my face. Before I met Chance, I didn’t even realize this level of happiness existed and somehow, I fell into it without even trying.
Me:
I will. And I love you too.
Slipping my phone back in my pocket, I grab a basket and hook it on my arm as I start wandering down the aisles, grabbing our favorite snacks, before I go up to the counter. The cashier smiles at me and I return the gesture as he rings up my items. He reads out my total and I hand him the money, telling him to keep the change.
“Hey, thanks. Have a great day.” He hands me my bags and I nod.
“You, too.”
The sun blinds me as I walk outside and I kind of wish I had remembered to bring my sunglasses. At the truck, I pull the keys out and as I try to unlock it, I feel a prick at the base of my neck, like a bee sting. I reach back to swat the little bug away and my world spins before descending into darkness.
