Page 20 of The Unravelings

Carter: Fuck it. I’ll keep my eyes peeled to see what I can find. It’s that porn-watching weirdo, isn’t it? JJ?

I can feel his evil grin from here. He’s probably typing all the information into his computer and spying on JJ as we speak, which is fine. I’d rather have someone looking into him who can track his every move.

Oli: I’m afraid to say yes…

Carter: Fucking got it. I’ll report back. But later. Kaycee just got out of class, and I have unfinished business with my goddamn Vixen.

Oli: Again…I don’t need to hear about all that, fucker.

And then… Nothing.

Carter really went to bang his girlfriend, leaving me alone with my ugly thoughts. Ugh. If I could stop the anxiety building inside me every second that Jordy isn’t here, I would. It’s unstoppable, though, ramping up and making my stomach turn. By the time Jordy does arrive, I’ll have gray hair and a damn ulcer.

I blow out a breath, setting my phone on the table and finishing off the rest of my hot coffee. Because nothing says let’s add more anxiety to your plate like copious amounts of caffeine. Fuck. It’s not doing much for me right now. Jittery? Sure. Awake? Not so much. Grime moves through my damn mind, weighing it down, and wishing I could go to sleep.

“Still waiting?”

I jump, whipping my gaze to a woman standing beside my table. Talk about a heart attack. Shit. I put my hand on my chest instinctively, calming the spike of anxiety shooting through my veins. A new waitress, I realize, stands by my table with her brows lifted, waiting for my answer. You’d think I was an amateur agent with the way I’m jumping at every damn sound. Smooth move, Olivia. Now, you look suspicious as hell.

No, it’s the fact that JJ, Hux, and Mack could find me at any minute and murder me all over again. Only this time, they’d make sure I stayed dead.

Wonderful.

Another worry to have in the back of my mind while I’m sleeping in a dorm room without a lock. I’ll have to fix that. Step one: add a new doorknob with a deadbolt. You know, since I have to go back and face the music.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” she chuckles softly, lifting a dark brow and grinning when I put my hand on the table. “I’m Mona, your waitress.”

Her moss-green eyes inspect my face, briefly stopping on the scars lining my flesh and then down my neck. Something in her posture slightly relaxes, and a sense of wonder crosses her face. It’s an expression I’ve seen before. The question is on the tip of her tongue. What happened? Why do you have so many scars?

You see, some people wear their scars internally, never having the evidence written on their skin of what trauma they’ve endured. For me, my scars have always been on both. The worst is written on my flesh for the world to see. Internally? No one sees how badly I’m drowning.

“Do you want to order yet or…” She trails off softly, cocking her head and taking her gaze away from my skin.

“Sorry,” I sputter, realizing she’s been standing here talking to me while I’ve been stuck inside my mind. “Uh, yeah, I’m still waiting. Thank you. More coffee, please?” My voice comes out softer than normal, hinting at the fears I’m hiding inside me.

Will I be okay? Will they hunt me down and end me again?

Fuck. I’m going to have to watch my back.

“Of course. One of those mornings, right?” She gently takes the cup from me and sashays away behind the counter. The other waitresses around her furrow their brows, but walk past with trays of food, hurriedly getting their patrons their food. “Here you are,” Mona says, returning my steaming cup of coffee with a wink.

“Thanks,” I sigh with relief when Jordy pushes through the main doors and wrinkles his nose. “We’ll only be a few minutes.”

The waitress’s jaw tics slightly until she nods, shaking off her tension. “Of course! Take all the time you need,” she says, offering me another smile and walking away toward the counter.

“Psst! Hey!” I discreetly whisper, waving Jordy over.

Jordy’s nose wrinkles again as he looks around and slides into the seat across from mine.

“A shitty diner, Liv? Shit must have gotten serious,” he half-jokes, taking my full coffee cup and guzzling it down. “Jesus. Black coffee? No sugar? Creamer? Everyone needs creamer. Especially you!” He sticks out his tongue, scooting my now-empty coffee cup toward me.

“Must not have bothered you too much, dick,” I huff, leaning back into my chair and preparing myself for this conversation. “Get your own,” I half-heartedly say, sticking my tongue out.

“So, you rang?” he asks, wiggling his brows, and then stops. His head cocks, and he examines my face. “Care to elaborate on why you look like I kicked your puppy or why you’re a slightly girlier version of the Oliver you’re meant to be? Out of disguise, Liv? Tsk. Tsk. Come on. Tell your favorite Jordy everything.”

I blow out a breath, darting my eyes around the diner. Despite it being full, Jordy and I are off to the side near a large window overlooking the outskirts of Greenwood. Near the damn warehouse, Jonathan broke the news to me.

“One of them recognized me. I…” I suck in a breath as images of JJ’s heartbroken face flash through my mind again.