AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I ignored her words. She was constantly convinced everyone wanted to fuck me, despite loads of evidence to the contrary.
No, I figured Cruise could see the poverty and trailer trash all over me. I wore jean shorts and a white t-shirt that didn’t cover my stomach but instead showed off the belly button piercing I got the day I turned eighteen. My sneakers had holes, and my blonde hair was long, straight and hung past my rear end.
I probably should’ve cut my hair to a more professional length years ago, but I hadn’t, because what was the point? Even if I tried to dress more conservatively, he would’ve smelled the poverty on those clothes just as easily, but I would’ve had the added bonus of feeling crappy for bothering to make any effort. This way? I don’t have to give a shit what he thinks.
He already knew I was possessed, so he was bound to judge me for that, too. Good looking, dark-haired Mr. Winters for sure already thought he was better than me. That’s fine. He couldn’t survive my life if he tried.
“That’s me.” I lifted my hand and waved at him. “Cruise?”
Maybe there was a more respectful way I could have addressed him, but I was certain he was going to call me Addalee, and I wasn’t going to call him Mr. Winters if he called me Addalee. We would at least be on an equal footing.
He lifted a hand and waved back before he sort of grimaced then lowered his hand. “That’s me.”
I walked toward him, Ryker right next to me, and kept my planted smile firmly in place. I wasn’t happy, not really. Happiness wasn’t an option since the possession, but no one knew that, and I faked it, so really, what did it matter?
“You’re right on time.”
I tended to be. “It’s polite. Lateness is a bit of an affront to me.”
“Good to know.” Maybe he was surprised I used the word affront? He gave no indication. “Who is this?”
“Oh!” Yes, that had been rude to both of them. “Sorry. I’m used to all the people I know knowing all the people I know. This is Ryker Williams, my brother. Well, he used to be.”
Ryker put his hand out to Cruise. “Not her brother.”
“Are you coming on this…test?” We hadn’t discussed it ahead of time. Someone like Cruise, who probably had Post-it notes for his Post-it notes, wouldn’t care for it at all. How did I know that? I judged him by his briefcase and the neatness of his expensive suit. They said tidy and organized to me.
“She doesn’t go anywhere without me very much.” Ryker shrugged. “So, unless I’m banned or something, yes, I’m going.”
I resisted an eye roll, but just barely. That was so much ridiculousness. I rode the bus thereby myself. I lived on the streetsby myself.I ran from the huntersby myself. Ryker came and went as he was able or interested, meaning Ryker was in some kind of pissing contest with himself. I didn’t say anything, though, as it likely wouldn’t be of interest to Cruise.
Cruise laughed. “Most people run away; they don’t ask to go inside. Okay then, come on, you two. We’ll go inside and see if you can do what you say you can do.”
“Why did you decide she had to test here?” Ryker asked from behind me as I dealt with the machine. It wanted me to sign in and give it my fingerprints. After both Ryker and I finished, with a beep, the machine agreed we were who we said we were.
Cruise stared as we passed through the scanner that told him we were also weaponless. I wasn’t, actually. I had one inside of me, but maybe it was better not to mention that at the moment. He turned to look at me.
“Your print says you’ve been here before, Addalee?” He paused. “Do people call you Addie?”
“No,” Ryker and I answered at the same time. Addie was a name for someone with a future and a house that had grass in the backyard. I knew why I didn’t like the nickname, although Iwasn’t sure why Ryker didn’t. Finally, I answered for myself. “I was born here.”
I hoped to avoid discussing it, so I should have figured we’d end up talking about it openly in a hallway.That’s just how life goes.
Cruise’s expression seemed hidden. I’d read his thoughts pretty well until then, or at least, I thought I had.
Now, I wasn’t so sure.
“You don’t have an arrest record,” he pointed out.
I blinked. “Yes. That’s true.” I wasn’t sure why it mattered.
“Most people who are born inside end up back inside. The statistics are really high, like ninety-eight percent. It’s impressive that you didn’t.”
Or you’re just lucky and haven’t gotten caught yet.
“Well, the day is still young.” I smiled again. “Where are we going?”
I followed him down the hallway toward a waiting room sign. Other than the sign, the room was empty, giving no indication who waited there or for what.
