Page 108 of Risking it All

My stomach dropped. This was the last thing I wanted. “Abby’s out there.”

“Trust me, Abby’s fine.”

“You don’t know Eric,” I began.

“And you don’t know Abby. I promise you that a chill runs through Eric’s blood at the mention of her name. Even I won’t say her name three times in front of a mirror. Plus, Abby enjoys playing with fire. It’s her hobby. So, this is the plan. We go down. Isaiah’s got your front. I got your six. You go straight to the car and don’t acknowledge his existence.”

“And if Eric approaches me?”

“He won’t,” Noah said.

I hit the bag against the side of my legs. “I’m not looking to bring problems to you or anyone else.”

“You’re not. Eric is your past. Leave him there. Me, Rachel, Isaiah, and Abby have. You can, too.”

“If Macie breaks up with me tomorrow,” I hedged, “you, Isaiah, and Abby still going to have my back with Eric? I’m taking one hell of a gamble trusting you.”

“Let’s shove to the side I owe you for saving my daughter.”

“You don’t owe me for anything.”

“Regardless,” he continued, “treat my daughter with respect and you and I won’t have problems. You’re both young. If things don’t work out, they don’t work out, but you handle any situation above board. While Macie asked me to help you, I’m not doingit for her. I’m doing it because I wish someone had done this for me. I wish I had been placed in a good, safe home that gave me all the opportunities I had lost. So, yes, when it comes to Eric, we will have your back.”

I nodded, and when I walked out the door, Isaiah started down the stairs. I followed and Noah brought up the rear. Eric pushed off his car he’d been leaning against and moved in our direction.

“Keep walking to the car,” Noah said. “He’s your past.”

As Eric got closer, Abby slipped to stand in front of him. “Hello, Eric. Miss me?”

“Like I miss having infected splinters in my toes.”

“Aw, you’ve always been such a flirt. Know how to say all the things that make a girl swoon.”

“How’s prison treating your daddy, Abby?” Eric countered. “I’m sure he’s counting down the days to probation. Oh, wait, that won’t happen for him.”

“I’ll ask him when I see him next week. Should I tell him we ran into each other? I’m sure he’ll find that super interesting. You know how Dad is—he likes to keep a pulse on the old neighborhood.”

Eric frowned and I hardly ever saw him do such a thing. “Back it up, Abby. This situation doesn’t involve you. You and I don’t need to have problems.”

“I agree,” she said. “We don’t have problems because that kid over there belongs to us now.”

“No matter what they told you, Relic.” Eric called out. “It doesn’t have to be this way. They aren’t your only option. If I’d known you wanted some place to live, it could have been with me.”

“Don’t acknowledge him,” Noah said.

“You might be happy for a few weeks,” Eric continued, “but eventually you’ll figure out they don’t understand you. You’ll never fit in with them.”

“He’s trying to push buttons,” Noah said. “Ignore him.”

I didn’t feel compelled to look at Eric let alone answer. Isaiah opened the trunk of his car, I deposited the bag, and Eric called out, “No matter what you do, you and I will always be family. Lyra is your family. Someday, you’ll figure that out and I’ll be here waiting. You’re the one who’s abandoning us. Just like your mom abandoned you. Don’t be like your mom, Relic. Don’t be the splitter.”

A knife through my chest and I paused as his words caused slashing pain. Isaiah put a hand on his shoulder, “Don’t let him gaslight you, kid. Get in the car.”

“Eric, I’m the one in front of you,” Abby said. “I can’t believe how rude you’re being to me. You’d think you’d be excited to catch up with an old friend.”

“Abby, I would rather be attacked by piranhas.”

“I can make that possible if you’d like,” she offered.

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