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Gray nods, almost as if he understands exactly what I mean by that.
“I’m glad they have you then. They need someone big and mean to scare the wolves away,” he adds before picking up his board and walking toward his friend who is now standing on the opposite side of the road.
“Hey,” I bark out before he gets too far. “When I see them, do you want me to give them a message from you or something?”
I don’t know who is more surprised that shit came out of my mouth, but here we are.
Gray stares at me for a split second before placing his foot on his skateboard.
“Tell Zoey I’m sorry and for her to forget this place ever happened. I sure the fuck will.” And just like that, he glides down the street on his board and flies away like he never existed.
I take one more look at the house behind me and can’t help wondering what the kid meant by that. Suddenly, the urge to see if both girls are okay with my own eyes multiplies tenfold. For the second time today, I get behind the wheel of my car and race to an unknown address, this one closer to the outskirts of the city where normal, wholesome families reside. Knowing that the girls are living in such a place is the only thing keeping me from driving like a madman.
Thirty minutes later, I park my car just three houses down from theirs. The lawn looks like it’s been looked after, so at least someone inside gives a crap about what their neighbors think. That’s good. People who believe they have eyes on them at all times are less likely to do something that will get them in trouble. I crack my knuckles, my leg bouncing up and down. I hate that I don’t have a clear view of the inside. The curtains are too thick to see anyone moving, and I’m too far away to hear anyone talking from inside too.
But I have to see them.
I’m not sure what I’ll say, or do for that matter. I haven’t exactly concocted a plan up to this point, which is very unlike me, but then again, I haven’t exactly been myself since they came into the picture.
“Fuck it,” I mutter, my hand already on the door handle, ready to get out of this car and bang their door down if I have to.
Just as I’m stepping out, I hear a familiar bratty voice giggle behind me.
“Slow down and watch where you’re going, Zoey. I need those eggs whole when we get home.”
Zoey giggles at her sister, raising the two plastic bags in her hands that most likely contain the eggs Layla is talking about.
“If they fall, then we’ll have scrambled eggs tomorrow for breakfast. No big deal.”
Layla laughs at her little sister, rubbing the top of her head with her free hand since her other arm is still in a sling.
“You know, for a little thing, you sure have a mouth on you, sweet girl,” Layla says with no malice to her tone, only undying love.
“Don’t I know it.” I chuckle under my breath, my gaze glued to both girls.
Zoey gives Layla such a sweet smile, it physically hurts me that I made the decision to stay away for as long as I did.
That shit is going to change now.
From here on out, I’ll never take my eyes off either one of them again.
CHAPTER3
Layla
Eighteen months later
It could be worse.
This path life has given Zoey and me could definitely be a million times worse. We could still be back in foster care.
It took dozens of calls to Aunt Lucy, begging her to take us in, to prevent that from happening. She only changed her tune after I promised that I would quit school and do whatever I needed to do to carry our weight.
That got her attention just like I knew it would.
Aunt Lucy might have a little more money than my mom did, but when it comes down to it, they are both made of the same fabric. If it’s free, they want it.
To them, life couldn’t get any better than having an inhouse maid who will do their dirty work for them so they can kick back, drink cheap box wine, and chain smoke menthol cigarettes while they watch bad reality television all day. I really don’t care if I spend my days cleaning after a drunkard like Lucy, her handsy slob of a husband, or her two obnoxious sons.
