Bates
I pulledthe seatbelt across my shoulder, clipped it in place, then glanced at Milo who was sitting next to me in the front of the car.
He looked amped, ready to do whatever I needed and I was thankful to have a friend like him.
Any of the others would have helped, but he was the most level headed out of all of us, and would be able to make sure that I kept my head on straight enough to get through everything until we got back to my place.
“So, where are we going?” the young woman asked, and I sucked my teeth in response. I glanced into the rearview mirror, gave her a level stare, then pressed the button on the console to lock all the doors.
One look into the sideview, I pulled away from the curb and followed the road home.
“Well, he’s not here for you anymore,” I said with a shrug, “but I’m sure we’ll find something fun for everyone to do tonight.”
“What?” she asked in confusion, and I leaned over and bumped Milo’s leg with a fist. I needed him to take over because if I kept talking, I was going to blow the entire fucking plan and I knew it.
“Bates is just kidding,” Milo intervenes immediately with a friendly laugh. “About your friend not being into you, I mean. Not about the fun.”
My friend turned to glance around the passenger side seat and grinned at one of Hollis’ nightmares and his target for the evening, doing his best to put them both at ease.
When she giggled, I let out a breath.
It worked, but then again, he could convince damn near anyone of anything. It was a talent of his that I admired and had tried to copy the first time I saw her.
I wanted to be confident because I felt that if I played the part, she would believe it too.
Of course, she put up a slight resistance like anyone would, but not for too long, and we ended up going back to my place that night.
A smile curved my lips as I thought about my pretty girl and our drive back to my place.
How nervous she’d seemed, how almost angry that she’d allowed herself to be talked into going with me, but it was the fear that I remembered the most.
One that she shouldn’t have carried on her shoulders, but did due to bastards like the one in the back seat.
When we reached the red light at the intersection, I let my head rest against the seat and told myself not to think about it.
If I did, the knife wouldn’t keep burning a hole in my pocket because I’d lodge it in the middle of his goddamn eyes.
Would it have made him see her differently? Blinded by the beauty that took my breath away if he had another chance to get to know her? Would it have made a fucking difference?
“Bates, the light’s green.”
“Huh? Oh.”
I pressed down on the gas pedal and used my thumb to rub my forehead.
It didn’t matter because he would never get the chance again. He’d see Hollis one last time but it wouldn’t be for anyone’s pleasure except for hers.
She’d held onto this fucking burden for longer than I’ve known her, but this time, I would be there to help her.
Revenge, screaming, beating—whatever she wanted would be what would happen.
And I’d be there to pick up the pieces of her anger when she was done.
Just like I always was.