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“I’m being responsible.”
“That’s all I wanted to know.” Mom tucks her phone away. “Have a good day.”
“Should we go, too? We’ll be late.” Blair slips beside me, grasping my limp wrist. Her touch is a balm, calming the rush of poisonous rage.
“Yeah.” I dump the rest of my coffee in the sink and follow Blair to the garage. “I’m sorry. They’re…”
There aren’t words for what my parents are.
“It’s fine.” Blair tosses a concerned glance over her shoulder. “Want me to ride with you?”
“Yeah.” It comes out gruff as I rake my fringe back.
I need her by my side now more than ever. I’m growing greedier with her time.
Thirty-Four
Blair
The lines have blurred. In fact, the tasks have stopped completely. The deal is pretty much over without either of us saying it.
And yet, the new hospital bill I received is paid in full. There’s extra money in my wallet.
Somewhere along the way, I blinked and didn’t notice that Devlin and I fell into some undefined relationship.
It’s undeniable. We’re together often, all over each other once his parents leave the house empty. Our life at his house is domestic as fuck, leaving me squirmy and confused because I’m starting to catch feelings for something I can’t have forever.
This has always had an end date on it. I’ve been living on borrowed time. Soon enough the issues I’ve been running from are going to catch up.
No matter how fast you run, your demons and problems always come for their pound of flesh.
“Hey, Blair! Wait up!” Sean calls from down the hall as I leave the library with an armful of books. He catches up to me and slings an arm over my shoulder as we walk. “What do ya got there?”
“The library gets rid of books once a month.”
“Oh, so you were shopping for new stuff. Cool.”
The way he says shopping hits me hard. It’s not like once things shifted with Devlin and I, the rest of my school experience changed completely, but most of the relentless bullying stopped. Still, these privileged assholes can’t help the way they talk. Disdain for my way of life bleeds into their tone when they’re just making conversation. I didn’t think these people were suddenly my friends, but Devlin’s closest circle have been nicer since the beach party.
“Yeah, cool,” I repeat in a clipped tone. “Can I help you with something?”
“Oh, yeah!” Sean snaps his fingers and yanks me closer to whisper in my ear. “I’ve been wondering about your rates. When Dev’s finished, I was hoping to secure your services.”
Every muscle in my body goes rigid. “Sorry, what?”
Sean chuckles and the sound makes me want to sink my fist into his gut. “Don’t play coy. You don’t really have the round features to pull it off. Girls like Thea have that shit on lock with the cute button nose and Bambi eyes, y’know? Shame about her fugly as shit granny sweaters, though.”
A disgusted scoff rips from my throat before I can rein in my reaction. What a fucking pig.
“No, Sean, I don’t know what you mean. Elaborate. Now.”
Sean’s head jerks. “Oof, girl. Is that attitude extra? I think I want to add some of that on every now and then. I like a little bit of fight. That’s hot.”
Slapping his arm off my shoulders, I plant myself in front of him. Passing students stare at the scene, but I don’t care. I’m three seconds from kicking this dick-for-brains in the balls.
“What are you talking about?” I hiss.
Sean gives me a lopsided smile and leans close. “Dude, you’re like, an escort. That’s what you’re doing with Devlin, right?”
