Page 15 of Better Hide

“Cole.How’s my favorite boy doing?”

I wince. Pat comes into the living room. I’m sick today after spending the night with Jayden, so I stayed at his place instead of going to school.

Pat ruffles my hair. “Getting into all kinds of trouble, I’m sure?”

I glare at him. My throat feels awful, and I’m not in the mood.

Not that I ever am.

“Just you and me today, buddy.” Pat steps close enough to me that his crotch is in my face.

I scoot away. “I don’t feel good.”

Pat’s demeanor changes. “You haven’t played the game in weeks.”

I glare at the couch cushion, staring at it with as much hate as I feel for this man.

“Cole,” he says warningly.

I feel hot. Every time I’ve fought him, it’s gotten worse for me.

“Cole.” Pat slides next to me. “This game needs to be played regularly. There are bad side effects when that tension isn’t released.”

I still ignore him.

“I’ll be forced to find others to play the game with.”

I freeze.

“Jayden would be a good boy for me, don’t you think?”

Fear rushes through me. No! No, no, no. I don’t want Jayden to go through this, either.

I snap my gaze to Pat.

He grins. “Ah, there’s my boy again. Feeling better?”

I glare at him. I hate this man more than anything.

One day, when I’m bigger, I’m going to kill him. I will make him feel all the things that he made me feel. And I’m going to drag it out.

“Good boy,” Pat flips out a knife. “Now show me your back. I’ll bet it’s all healed from last time.”

I startle awake.My breathing is heavy, and my heart races as I look around. I’m in the car. Jo’s asleep with her head on my lap. Instantly, I relax a little. I’m safe. It was just a dream.

I stroke Jo’s hair for a while until the car’s hum and the exhaustion pull me back under.

9

JO

Twelve yearsold

My ears ring,and dust fills my mouth. I cough as the world around me comes into focus. I’m lying on the ground, the ATV is upside down, and my whole chest hurts.

I flipped the ATV.

A small hit of exhilaration runs through me. Fuck, that was fun.

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