Page 61 of Ready Or Not

Silence.

That silence confirms exactly where they are. I keep talking, “Noel doesn’t live there anymore. But you could have just called me, and I would have told you that.”

In the following silence, I know Riley is seething.

“Let’s stop playing games, wife. Come back to the house.” I say it gently, but I want nothing more than to punish her. I hate that she never told me. I hate that she just confirmed my deepest fear.

Riley’s voice comes on, just as melodic and pretty as it’s always been. “Manson, get this through your head. We aren’t a thing. I’m not your wife. I don’t want you. Never have, never will.”

Something odd rushes through my chest, and immediately, a flash of anger follows it. “Rachel.” I grit my teeth. “I’m gonna need you to bring your girlfriend back here. Meet me at The Landings. By the way, your mother is such a nice person. Though, too sweet for me.” I let out a short breath. “Riley, we can discuss Noel when you get here.”

Silence, there’s a scuffle noise, and then the line goes dead.

I throw my bike in gear. Your move, Riley. It’s time to see how far she’s willing to go to play this game.

32

Harder To Breathe - Letdown

That fucking prick bastard. I will get great pleasure stuffing my gun in his smug mouth.

For a second, I forget Rachel is beside me, but then she breathes, “My mom.”

I toss a look at her. It’s almost dark now, so she probably doesn’t notice it. It’s a shame ‘cause it’s a scorcher. “No.”

“Riley!” Rachel grabs my arm, and immediately, I shake her off. “No. He’s throwing a fit because, for once in his life, he isn’t getting what he wants.”

“He knows where my mom lives.”

I start walking back to my bike. “Of course he does. Did you think I was kidding when I told you he’s not a good person?”

Rachel scrambles to follow. “He’s going to hurt her.”

“Yes,” I drone. “He is.”

Rachel will be miserable thinking about it too. Once again, I’m grateful I don’t feel such things. They’re counterproductive.

“We have to go,” Rachel says.

“By all means, keep begging. I might come.”

Immediately, Rachel clams up. She just follows me to the bike. When we get there, I expect panic. Useless tears and emotions. But I get nothing. Despite myself, I turn to look at her.

Rachel just stands there, watching me. I can see the calculation on her face.

I stare at her. I make it a general rule not to be friendly with women. With anyone, actually. Usually, they end up acting like my mom or the men in my past—emotional and abusive.

But not Rachel. She’s calculating. Cold. A planner. It makes me smirk. She’s capable of playing the game. Good. If she’s playing, then maybe I should focus. Be a little less impulsive. A little more strategic.

I stick the key into the bike. “Let’s go, little deer. We’ll see if you’re just as brave when Manson realizes we’re not playing his game.”

33

i feel lost - Aaron Hibell

I am going to kill Manson Kennedy.

I stare into my French fries, plotting. Riley dragged us to a fast food place and hasn’t gotten off her phone since we got here. She clearly has no fear of bringing me out in public now because she knows she has me trapped. If I say anything, both myself and my mom will die.

---