Page 68 of Better Hide

“Did you? Speaking of, why don’t you get Cole? I’d like to see him again after so long.” Ralph’s pupils widen.

At the sight, red-hot fury runs through me. Almost like I’m watching from outside my body, I see my fist fly through the air and punch Ralph in the face. There’s a satisfying snap, and Ralph crashes out of his chair, clutching his face.

Vigor fills me. I follow Ralph down, my whole body craving more. Needing more.

“Get up, Ralphy boy. Fight like a man.”

Ralph groans. I stand over him, trembling. I want him to take his hands off his face and fight me. Fucking hell, maybe he’ll land a punch and make it fun.

Ralph backs away, still covering his face. “What…the hell?”

Oh, don’t run. I need more.

When Ralph puts his hands down to get up, I see the red trail of blood down his nose. He stands, trembling, trying to get away.

I lunge at him, and he falls backward like a coward, stumbling into a kitchen chair with a clatter.

From the living room, Sam is watching us over the couch.

I get in Ralph’s face, my voice low, “Fight me, Ralph. Fight me so your boy doesn’t think you’re a scared little bitch.”

Ralph’s eyes are wide with hate and fear.

“Maybe you want it that way, though.” I suck in a breath through my nose, smelling the blood. My skin is on fire. There’s no way Ralph isn’t just like Pat. No way he didn’t adopt a boy the same age as when Cole and I got abused. “Want him to see you weak. You think maybe he’ll want to fuck you more if you act like a child.”

“Wait,” Ralph sputters.

I punch Ralph again, the rage roaring through my blood. If he ever touched Cole, I’ll rip his insides out through his asshole. A haze settles over my vision, and I raise my hand to hit him again.

Vaguely, I feel a hand on my shoulder pulling me back. I whirl and swing on the person.

Cole ducks, dodging my blow. Immediately, he slams a hand into my chest, knocking me back. “Chill, dude.”

I heave for breath, and I want to lunge at him. How dare he fucking stop me?

Cole glances at Ralph and then back at me. There’s a tightness around his eyes. “You didn’t tell me you were going to have all the fun without me.”

I bounce on my toes. That haze is easing. I don’t want it to leave. I want to kill Ralph. Pound his face into the ground. Listen to him scream.

Cole glances at Sam, who’s standing on the couch.

“Let’s go talk, Ralph. First, tell Sam that you’re okay.”

Ralph wipes his nose, anger flashing across his face. “What the fuck? This guy is insane! Call the cops!”

Blind rage rips through me. He will not call the cops and get Jo taken away. Cole puts a firm hand on my chest. It feels like an anchor. An anchor I don’t fucking want. It’s dragging me down.

“If we’re going to play, we’re going to play the right way.” Cole leans in closer and hisses, “Not in front of the kid, asshole.”

I shake. Oh, we’re going to play. And I have no intention of doing it the right way.

32

JO

When Cole saidhe was going to get us some more food, I threw on a pair of his sweatpants and followed him. I walked in on Cole hauling Jayden off some old man. There’s blood all over the man, who must be Ralph, and Jayden is seething.

I’m stuck, taking in all the blood, unsure if I should join in or run.

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