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When the tremors pass, I take a deep breath and look down at my plate. My face burns with shame as Landon withdraws his fingers from my body, but I don’t have time to process what just happened. The sliding door opens and my stomach rocks.
With his fingers still pressed against my pussy, Landon leans over and murmurs, “You think you’re safe when they’re around. Maybe now you understand; you’re only safe from me when I want you to be.”
Landon’s fingers slide out of my panties and briefly close possessively around my thigh. It’s only for a second, then he lets go and uses that filthy, demented hand to grab his drink glass. I finally dare to look in his direction and watch him subtly dip his finger into the drink and swish it around. He gives me a wink, then takes a long, thirsty gulp.
I am mortified and… too many other things to name.
Mom takes a seat across from me and flashes me a smile.
I attempt to smile back, but it’s a weak one.
“So, Landon makes a good steak, huh?” she asks, trying to be relaxed and friendly, since she believes he isn’t being a menace tonight.
Landon smirks. I know it’s for me, but he doesn’t look my way. “Oh, yeah. And Parker loves a good piece of meat.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Parker
Of course, Thursday is picture day, and I have a neck full of hickeys from Landon’s mauling last night.
I bruise so easily, it looks like I was well and truly man-handled.
Well, I guess I was, but I don’t want photographic evidence of it recorded in the yearbook.
Grabbing my phone, I frantically text Hannah. “I need help! Can you get to school a few minutes early and bring your makeup? I need you to cover up… I just need you to cover something,” I finish, not wanting to commit it to text.
I finish brushing my teeth before she answers. “Any way you can meet me at my house? I’m running a little behind myself. If we’re a little late, then we’re a little late, but I’m not sure I’ll make it to school early.”
I don’t do much to doll up on school picture day, so I suppose it would be easier for me to go to her. She’s the one doing me the favor, after all. “Sure, I’ll be there in a few,” I text back.
I’ve tried to think as little about my situation and what happened with Landon as possible, but when I’m done texting Hannah, my gaze is drawn to the little blue arrow on the top left-hand side of my message screen. Beside it, a number one is in a blue bubble, indicating there’s a message I haven’t checked.
I know there is.
I saw the notification on my screen as soon as I woke up.
Javi’s view on his morning run.
I’ve never had a reason to feel as dirty as I felt then, getting that text from him that I’m quickly coming to associate with a “thinking of you” gesture.
Meanwhile, I spent half the night awake because I couldn’t stop reliving the feeling of Landon’s fingers between my legs.
My heart sinks just thinking that. I tell myself I should read the message and send him a quick one back, but I know my heart won’t be in it, so I don’t.
Instead, I head downstairs and make myself some oatmeal since I can eat that quickly. I chop up a couple of strawberries to put on top, then I scarf it down so I can get out of here without encountering the other people in the house, mercifully still busy upstairs with their morning routines.
I shoot Mom a quick text on my way out the door to let her know I have to stop at Hannah’s before school so she doesn’t worry, then I book it to my car.
___
When I get to Hannah’s house, everything is a bit chaotic.
Apparently, Anae hired a stylist to do her hair and makeup today. Judging by the way she’s barking at them, I don’t think they’re doing a good job.
I’m not sure where Hannah gets ready anymore. It used to be her bathroom, but the night of the party is the only time I’ve slept here since she was moved to the attic. She doesn’t have a bathroom up there, and there’s certainly not enough light to do makeup.
Reluctant as I am to enter the lair of the beast, since I don’t find Hannah and we’re short on time, I poke my head into Anae’s bedroom.
