Page 86 of Risking it All

I shrugged because I avoided questions like that for Child Protective Services reasons. I didn’t need Camila taken away and fucked-up by strangers. I was doing a good enough job of that on my own. “I take care of me and my sisters just fine.” Truth was, I wasn’t taking good care of them. I had no idea how we were going to exist as we were drowning in bills, and when I began working for Eric, I’d bring new danger into their lives. “Unless there’s something else you need from me,” a blood sample, my social security number, “I’m going to gather my sister and head home.”

I turned for the door to the backyard, but Noah said, “A family friend is coming by tomorrow when she gets back in town to help Macie describe the tattoo. From what I hear, you’ve been helpful dealing with the fallout of the carjacking. Her Mom and I thank you for that, and we figure, if Macie wants it, you could stick around and see how it all goes.”

My eyes narrowed. Stick around? What did that mean? “Come again?”

“I’m saying that you and your sister could come back tomorrow. Seth can watch Camila while you sit in with us as we try to help Macie describe the tattoo.”

Some of the tightness in my chest released, and I didn’t understand why. One more day. Macie’s dad had given me a valid excuse to buy myself one more day from joining the gang.The anticipation of walking up to Eric and telling him he owned me for life had made me feel like I was decomposing from the inside out.

Could I pass the opportunity to help Macie battle her demons before I had to walk away for good? Fuck no. I had to be here by her side for this. Maybe she’d bask in the happy-ever-after I’d never receive. Maybe seeing her happy could make the shit show my life was about to become slightly bearable. “I’d like that. Thanks.”

“And if the leads you produce gives us whoever did this to Macie,” Isaiah said, “That money’s yours. Noah and I both know the potential personal costs of that yearbook. You have our respect for that.”

Unsure what to say, I nodded. Footsteps up the stairs and Demarius emerged from the basement. He assessed the situation and sent me a look asking if I was okay. “Morning.”

I tilted my head to the eggs. “They made breakfast.” Translation: I’m okay.

Demarius, being one of the best friends I could have made, sat on the stool and grabbed a plate, letting me know he was here to have my back and stay. “Looks good, and I don’t mind if I do.”

Chapter thirty-eight

Macie

Group text to Melanie, Demarius, and Relic:Lev is doing okay. We went shopping for clothes and personal items this afternoon. Isaiah and Rachel are going to spend the evening with him eating dinner and watching movies. Lev’s also going to meet their son, Dalton. Keep sending him texts like you have been. It makes him feel grounded.

Dalton joined Isaiah and Rachel years ago when he was fifteen. The foster arrangement eventually turned into adoption. Currently, he was in his mid-twenties, newly married, and was starting off his own life, but he was still close to Isaiah and Rachel and often came over to talk to new fosters in hopes of answering questions and helping them feel secure in their new environment.

I then sent a text to Relic knowing he was on break:Please don’t join the gang until we have an opportunity to see if I can describe the tattoo. Maybe that will change everything.

Relic:I can’t hold out forever. I have to think of my sisters.

Me:Give me until tomorrow. Please.

Relic:Tomorrow.

Would tomorrow be enough? It had to be. I had to find a way to describe the tattoo and save Relic. I set my cell on the patio table and relaxed on the chaise lounge to take a short nap. The sun felt splendid on my skin, a comforting touch warming my body and soul. I slept last night, but lightly, on the ready in case Lev should wake and needed a friend. It took a while for him to fall asleep, but once he did, he was out for the night.

The back door opened and I kept my eyes closed, as Seth and Oliver had been in and out multiple times. But my eyes flashed open, my mouth gaped, and I jolted upright when I heard familiar voices on my back deck. “Hey, Ms. Disappearance. How have you been?”

It was Gianna and Brayden. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

Gianna took a seat in the chair next to me. “Considering you don’t come to parties anymore and one-word answer my texts when you do respond, it is shocking I’m here. It’s like you don’t want to be my friend anymore. And Seth let us in and told us you were back here.”

I had been avoiding her because she had gossiped about me behind my back, plus she’d been a real crappy friend to me since the shooting. For so long I blamed myself, but could it all be my fault when Demarius, Melanie, Lev, and Relic found a way to be my friends, even when I was complicated?

Not sure how to respond to her thrown are-we-friends-anymore gauntlet, I said, “Work’s been seriously busy, but it’s good to see you. What have you two been up to this summer?” Then to Brayden, “Do you want to sit?” To both of them, “Do either of you want something to drink?”

Please say no, I thought,and please leave quickly because this is seriously awkward and I don’t want you here.

“No, thank you,” Gianna said as Brayden answered, “I’m good.”

Brayden sat next to Gianna, and she reached over and laid her hand over his. He didn’t hold her hand back. It rested there on the armrest like a dead fish. Relic always took my hand, often lacing our fingers together to hold on as tightly to me as I did to him. Was there trouble in paradise, or was this how things were between them?

Brayden Gentry, in my opinion, had always been a jerk, but I had hoped that maybe he had changed, which would explain why Gianna chose to be with him. Had he changed and maybe now he was changing back? Or maybe Gianna was blinded. By what, though?

“So,” I drew out. “How are you?”

Why are you here? What can I do to make you leave without being rude?

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