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Everyone laughed as he continued calling out penis nicknames. Leave it to Joker to darken the mood before lightening it.
I hadn’t realized until it was too late that Everly had moved and was standing beside me.
“So, is that it?” she asked without looking in my direction.
“What?”
“Are you scared? Is why you ran away from me like a frightened little boy?”
I chuckled, feeling myself getting angry by her words.
“You think I ran away?”
“Yep. That’s what it looked like.”
I turned and moved into her space, pushing against her until she had to lean her head back to look up at me.
“I didn’t run from you. I saved you from yourself. If you go around giving your pussy to every guy who wants to fingerbang your cunt, you’ll be worn out by the time you’re twenty.”
She gasped, and I felt sick to my stomach for hurting her feelings that way, but she had to know she couldn’t push me. Otherwise, she would never stop.
“Do me a favor,” she said, pressing her small hands into my chest.
“What’s that?”
“Stay away from me. I don’t need you monitoring my walks and giving Zada money. I don’t need you at all, Aiken.”
I laughed, even though I wasn’t in a humorous mood. “You might not need me, but you sure as fuck want me.”
Then I walked away, giving her exactly what she had asked for. It was time I was done with this shit. For real this time.
27 Everly
I FELT BETTER BEING HOME ALONEwith a working cell. At first, I was pissed that Aiken had given Zada money to have my phone turned back on, but then I was glad. I was keeping a tab on all the money he spent on me. I was going to repay him the second I could.
The guys stopped riding by me on my walks to and from work, which meant Aiken was finally listening to me. The problem was, I realized I had taken advantage of his protection. I found myself carrying a small thing of mace on my way to and from work. It would be my luck someone would attack me the second Aiken stopped keeping watch.
My designated kitchen cabinet quit being replenished, and when my cell phone bill came due, I used my own money to pay it. Occasionally, I would see one of the guys ride by on their way to and from their house, but mostly they seemed to be using the second entrance to the neighborhood, which kept them away from Zada’s place altogether.
When Zada went to The Strip or to their Saturday night parties, I either worked a double or stayed home alone and scrolled through my phone. I left most of my books back in my old room, but I started a new stack next to my bags tucked away in the corner of Zada’s room.
The fact was, I couldn’t stay with Zada forever, but I wasn’t sure I could afford my own place. I missed having my own space to relax in, which I no longer had since I was sharing a two-bedroom house with Zada and her dad.
School was going well, and even though the counselors pulled me into their office twice a week for college talk, I assured them I wouldn’t be going to college until later. Most people who took a break after high school never went to college, but I would. As soon as I turned twenty-one and had my inheritance, I was going to move somewhere perfect for me and go to whatever university I wanted.
That was the plan.
Three years of struggling wasn’t forever. I could do it.
My phone rarely rang since I knew no one and my family had disowned me. So, when an unfamiliar number lit up my screen, I almost didn’t answer. I swiped up, connecting the call, and before I could say anything, Erik’s voice filled the line.
“Everly?
Hearing his voice brought tears to my eyes. I knew I missed my brother, but I didn’t realize how much. My knees went weak, and I dropped back onto the couch.
“Erik?” I knew it was him, but I had to be sure.
I hadn’t heard from him in so long even his voice sounded a bit different.
