Page 64 of Last Boy

The night that Walker told me about the deal he made with his uncle to keep me safe, I sort of decided right then and there that I wanted to throw all caution to the wind and just live life for the next week or so. After all, once I get out of here, he’ll be someone’s fiancé and then husband.

Even thinking about him and the word husband when it doesn’t involve me makes me sick.

Though I’ve never been one to picture a white picket fence or a grassy backyard with a swing set and things like that, I always thought we’d somehow be connected. And I hoped we’d end up together.

He gets me. He isn’t exhausting to be around because he understands pain and grief himself. I don’t have to plaster on a fake happy face and pretend to be something I’m not because Walker knows more than anyone that…life is sad.

I watch the screen as Walker flies down the ice. One of his teammates, whose name I don’t recognize, slaps him the puck, and before anyone can even think about stopping him, he scores a goal. His team all huddles around him, cheering with excitement. Even on the screen and through his helmet, I can see his smile.

He’s so happy when he’s on the ice.

Every time we kiss or have sex, I know that I’m making this thing between us grow even bigger than it already is. I’m creating a monster because neither of us will want to pull away when time runs up and we have to say good-bye.

I’m playing with fire—I know that. But I’m so used to being burned that right now…I’m the one sparking it up and dumping the gasoline. There’s nothing that could make me stop.

My phone vibrates on the table, and since I’m watching Walker on the screen, I know it’s not him. But since it could be Jake or maybe even Ryann, I jump up from the couch and go to it.

I don’t recognize the number, but because it might have to do with Jake, I decide I’d better answer it. I’ve been worried about him getting pulled into this mess Van left behind, but luckily, not many people that Van was associated with knew he had an older brother because Jake had already moved out. Me? I was living in the crack house for months before I got out of there, which is why I’ve been chosen to pay Van’s debt.

“Hello?” I say, nervous about what’s going to come from the other line. Between the random phone calls from Ron since he went to prison and the worst call of my life when I was told my brother was dead, I’m scared for what else could come from my phone ringing.

“Look at you, little fucking bitch. Jumping campus and hiding?”

I instantly recognize the voice, feeling sick.

“Guess what. Joke’s on you because we know where you live and where you work.” The voice laughs bitterly. “Guess it’s time for your coworkers to pay up. Or maybe those other dancers who live in that big ol’ house with you. The legs on that blonde one? She could pay in other ways than just the cash.”

“No,” I cry out. “I have your money. I’ll…I can meet you with it,” I lie. I have no money. None. But I can’t let them go after my friends or the girls I work with. “Can you give me forty-eight hours? I promise, I…I’ll have it.”

“Hmm…tell you what, you dumb bitch. You can meet us at the same alleyway where we…visited you three nights ago. Tomorrow, nine p.m.” His deep, cold voice pauses. “Don’t even think about bringing someone with you or calling the cops. If you do…it won’t be good. Not for you and not for your roommates.”

Suddenly, my door slowly pushes open, and Hudson holds his finger up to his mouth, instructing me to be quiet.

“Okay,” I whisper, a tear running down my cheek. “I’ll…I’ll be there. Just please don’t hurt anyone else. I’ll have your money.”

I went from not crying for three years to having no control over the tears spilling from my eyes. It’s like the second Walker stepped back into my life, everything went to hell, but I also got my ability to feel again.

“You’d better. Or we’ll finish what we started, and you’ll be dead. Just like your brother.”

The line goes dead, and when my hand drops to my side, Hudson rushes toward me to take my phone.

“You good?” he asks, looking down at the screen.

“Not really,” I squeak. “I’ve been here, eating room service, sleeping in the comfiest bed, and taking bubble baths.” I shake my head. “Freaking bubble baths! All while they could be hurting the girls I live with. Or my coworkers—and anyone else associated with me.” My eyes widen. “Jake! What if—”

“We’ve been keeping an eye on Jake’s. Nothing has seemed out of the ordinary there.” He reaches forward, patting my shoulder. “Just…breathe. Okay?”

He looks at the screen again before his lips turn up the slightest bit.

“The good news is…oftentimes, druggies and drug dealers aren’t all that complex. They sure as shit didn’t think a girl like you from Sunset Drive would have people backing you to stop them in their tracks.”

He holds my phone up. “I’ve gotta send this number to my buddies. The ones who Beckett hired to find these scumbags.” He grins. “I don’t think they’ll be looking much longer. These idiots didn’t even block their number.” He shrugs. “Rookie mistake.”

“So…they won’t hurt my friends?” I sniffle. “Or go to the coffee shop?”

“Doesn’t look like it.” He takes his own phone out of his pocket, and when he turns around, swiping his finger across the phone, I see the silhouette of a girl on his screen.

She’s got her back to the camera, but I recognize her instantly.

---