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My eyes snapped to hers. “No, and she isn’t going to know. Got it?”
“Jeez, chill the fuck out. If it makes you feel any better, I agree you need to keep her as far away from that shit as possible.”
It didn’t.
I folded my arms across my chest and searched for Becca in the crowd. It was cold out. Some of the guys had started a fire in one of the old trash cans, and flames flickered into the night sky, the heat radiating out. Becca and Lilly were huddled together toasting marshmallows.
Slipping my hand into my pocket, I pulled out the baggie and slid it down to Scarlett’s hand. She replaced it with a roll of bills. “Thanks,” she said. “The pain is getting worse. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
“She’s your mom. You’ll do it as long as she needs you.”
Becca glanced over, and I thrust my hand behind my back. “We need to be more careful.”
“Hey,” Scarlett replied. “It was your idea to do it here.”
“Do you know anyone else who might need a hookup?” The words sounded dirty on my tongue.
“Porter,” she warned.
“You think I want to do this shit? You and Malachi are different.” A heavy sigh rolled through me. “You’re friends, kind of. But he’s pressing me, Peters. I need to keep him off my back.”
She gave a grunt of disapproval. “I know a couple of guys. Trustworthy. I’m not getting in the middle of this though. I can’t risk another black mark if Principal G finds out. I’m already on thin ice.”
“I wouldn’t do that. Just hook me up?”
“Fine.”
I tipped my head back against the wall. “It’s a fucking mess.”
“Welcome to life. Same shit, different fucking day. One day, I’m going to leave this hell and never look back. One day, Porter.”
We all had the same wish—to get out of Credence. But for most of us, it would never happen. Only the lucky ones escaped. The ones who managed to get full scholarships or who still had parents who gave a crap. The reality for me and Scarlett was different.
Becca hugged Lilly before making her way over to us. “What are you two doing over here?”
I pushed off the wall and hooked an arm around Becca’s waist. “Come here.”
“And on that note, I’m out.” Scarlett saluted and headed back over to the party.
“Evan?”
Dipping my head to hers, I said, “Want to sneak into the office?”
She suppressed a laugh, her cheeks flushing a vivid crimson. “With everyone out here? No, we’ll get caught.”
“Spoilsport.”
“Come hang out with everyone. I can’t believe how many people showed up.”
“It’s kind of a tradition. Thanksgiving sucks for most of these kids.”
“Do you always come?”
I shot her a quizzical look.
“Okay.” She tried to suppress a giggle. “Stupid question.”
“Did you ask them?” I changed the subject.
