Page 61 of The Player

Sitting at the red light, headed out of town, I don’t expect a phone call, much less a text. But here I am, staring at it.

A-bear

If you think you are leaving, you are sorely mistaken. I’ll hunt your ass down, Sugar Plum.

How the heck does he know? My hands shake as I set the phone back in the console. I can’t let that message stop me.

As I turn right, I look back at Lennox. He’s got an eyebrow raised at me and I feel like a miniature Aaron is staring back at me. “What?”

“You don’t want to leave.”

He looks at me, imploring me to stop moving the car with his eyes. I almost give in, but I turn back around and turn on the music. Everything inside of me is screaming this is wrong. I shouldn’t be taking Lennox away from his father, but I just… I have to get away for myself. To think.

Twenty minutes later, Lennox huffs louder than the music, and I turn it down. “What’s wrong, Lennox?”

For an eight-year-old, he seems to know way too much and acts way too grown. “I want Dad to come with us.”

“I know, kiddo, but he can’t. He has to stay here so that we can have some time together.”

A little voice in my head tells me I’m lying, but I don’t feel like I am. I feel as if I am doing the right thing here.

“Mom, watch out!”

I turn back around in time to see the truck sitting in the middle of the road. I know the truck, and it belongs to Josh. How…how did he know where we were?

Slamming on the breaks, I skid and slide. Thank God for good breaks because the Bronco comes to a stop millimeters from the truck.

The door opens on the driver’s side, and I feel my heart racing wildly. Oh God. How did Josh get away from Bryson and Aaron?

My question is answered the second the driver comes around, and it’s Aaron. From the look on his face, I know I’m in trouble.

“Mom, Dad looks really angry,” Lennox says with a laugh.

Just like Aaron. He always can find humor in everything. Dang it. Bryson gets out, and I know we aren’t going to have a heated discussion in front of both Lennox and Bryson. Thank goodness.

“Get out of the car, Sugar Plum.”

Aaron stands in front of me, not moving. It’s as if he knows I’m a second away from bolting. Bryson walks past the Bronco and stands behind us. I guess it’s too late to leave now. Running over Bryson or Aaron isn’t a choice. Sighing, I look back at Lennox.

“Stay in the car, no matter what.”

“But…”

“No, Lennox. Stay in the car. Your Dad isn’t going to hurt either of us, but we may have a conversation I don’t want you hearing.”

He reluctantly sighs but nods. “Okay, Mom.”

My boy is protective, and I watch him bite his lip to keep from back-talking me. Getting out of the vehicle and shutting the door, I stand there.

“You tried to run, Sugar Plum,” Aaron says as he walks toward me.

“Well, what did you expect?” I stand my ground, not worried that Aaron will hurt me, but worried I’ll fall into his arms. I must stay strong. There’s no way I am all right with him being a killer.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Julie’s fucking frightened of me. Goddamn, that’s like a shot to my heart. I stand there looking at her. She’s guarding the door toward Lennox and I nearly come unglued. The idea of hurting either of them makes me sick to my stomach.

“Sugar Plum.” I raise my hands and sigh. “I promise I won’t hurt you. Or Lennox. You both are my life.”

---