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“Family,” I repeat.
I let him go and we start off for the fence line. Eric watches us approach. He says nothing so I offer him the envelope. “Count it if you want. ”
The skinny asshole doesn’t bother opening it, but instead shoves it in the inside pocket of his coat. “You say you have it, you have it. ”
A pair of cars roar down the dragway, silencing the conversation between us. When the noise dies down, Eric continues, “I don’t understand why you want to race here. There’s no money to be made. ”
“You didn’t have to involve Zach,” I say.
“I like insurance policies, and Zach was one that didn’t pay out. . . at least for tonight. As with any policy, the interest builds with time. ”
I assess the area and notice Zach’s car missing. He’s caused me problems over the past several weeks, but once he was a friend. No one should be underneath Eric, and what I hate is there’s nothing I can do about it. Zach made his choice and I’ve made mine. This is how forks in roads are created.
“Come back to the streets, Isaiah. ” Eric pushes off the fence. “That’s your home. ”
If Eric keeps living this life, someone will steal from him again, and one day, they may take his life in the process. Mistakes I refuse to make. “Naw, Eric. I’m done. ”
“Never say never, my brother. ” Eric gives that sly grin. “You’ll find me when you’re short on money again. That’s when we’ll stop this bullshit and you work for me. You’re not the first foster kid to age out of the system. ”
My chin rises as he speaks my fears. “What makes you think I’ll come crawling to you?”
“Because I’m letting you and your girl go home injury-free. You’ll remember how I’ve given you grace and realize that I’m not your enemy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got other business to attend to tonight. ”
Noah smacks my shoulder and the two of us leave, both occasionally glancing back. But we don’t need to. Eric’s moved on and so have we.
“That won’t happen,” says Noah. “You’ll make it after you age out. ”
“I know. ” I don’t, but I shove the doubt away. I can only handle one battle at a time.
Laughter representing our futures guides us to a streetlight. For Noah, the future includes a redhead, and mine includes a blonde.
When Rachel sees me, she runs right into my arms. “Are we free?”
“Free. ”
“We should celebrate. ”
“I know this place,” I say real slow. “On a hill. ”
She blushes. “Think I’ve heard of it before. ”
“Have you?” I ask too innocently.
“Yeah. From this really hot guy. You’d like him. He has a couple of tattoos and some earrings. ”
I lace my hand with hers, but the smile on my face fades with the sound of one voice.
Chapter 74
Rachel
“RACHEL. ”
My head snaps in the direction of my father’s voice. “What are you doing here?”
With his black tie off and the top couple of buttons of his wrinkled dress shirt undone, my father appears worn. The circles under his eyes indicate exhaustion. “Let’s go home. ”
There’s no way. . . none. . . “How did you find me?”
