Page 104 of Muted

Settling against the pillow, he closes his eyes. “Anything. What do you want to know?”

“You and Chester seem like you’ve been friends for a long time. What’s your story?” They seem to get along with Vance alright, but it’s not the same. I’ll never understand how Chester and Cliff ended up going into business together, and I don’t want to ruin the moment by asking about that asshole.

“We grew up together. Have been friends forever. After high school, I joined the military while he went off to college. There isn’t a big story for us, just that he’s always been there. We kept in touch while I was deployed, and when I decided to get out, I came here to help him.”

We’re both quiet, me enjoying the rise and fall with every slow, deep breath he takes, and him as he drags his fingers through my loose hair. Every now and then, he’ll find a tangle, which he carefully breaks apart, only to continue combing through until the next one.

“Would…” he trails off, and I hear the hesitation before he asks what’s on his mind. “Would you tell me who you’re running from?”

I try to force my body to not tense up, but he must feel it because he slides his hand deeper into my hair and holds my head against him. “If you don’t want to fully explain, will you at least tell mewhyyou’re running?”

Blowing out a breath, I resign myself to give him at least a bit of my backstory. “My mom made a lot of mistakes when she was young. Drugs, drinking, and sex were normally involved with those mistakes. She’s the type of person who gave the name ‘trailer’ a bad reputation.”

I know he’s waiting for more, but I take a moment to simplify everything in my head without leaving hints that would lead anyone tohim. “My mom knew my dad from high school. He got involved with drugs along with her. Not heavily, more just socially at parties and stuff. They started hooking up, and I eventually came along. Long story short, they continued to party after I was born. One night, my dad either took something that was laced, or took too much, but he overdosed and died.”

Theo is still stroking my hair, but his movements have begun to slow as he listens. “I’m sorry about your dad,” he says gently.

I shrug, not sure how to react. No one has ever said that to me before. “It’s okay. It’s sad what happened to him, but I don’t remember a thing about him. I’ve seen a couple of newspaper pictures, but that’s it.”

“You don’t keep in touch with his—”

Not wanting to go down that path, I continue, knowing I’m being rude for interrupting. “He was pretty well known in town. One of those kids who has everything going for them. Great at sports, well known family, money. When he died, everyone was furious with my mom. Blamed her for his downfall and eventual death. He died a drug addict and a teen father of a white-trash baby.”

Theo growls his displeasure over the description I gave of myself. “Don’t say that shit. You’re anything but fucking trash. It’s not your fault that you were born into that kind of environment. So, what? That’s why you left? Because your mom was shitty?”

Humming, I trail my fingers over his shoulders, focusing on the way they dip up and down through the valleys of his bunched muscles. “Yes and no. When I was three, my mom disappeared. I was found after a few days when a neighbor called it in, and then placed with my aunt and uncle.”

“I still don’t understand why you’re running. Are your aunt and uncle not good people?” I bite my lip because he’s right. There’s nothing I’ve shared that would have me hiding away in a new town.

“My dad’s loss hit everyonereallyfucking hard. Like, not just being sad, but they were furious that she managed to get her claws into him. From what I understand, she received a lot of backlash after he died. Then, when she disappeared, it was directed toward me.” I push up when he immediately goes to argue what I said, covering his mouth. “I’m well aware that I am not my mother, but it still happened. It got to the point where I justhadto leave. My aunt and uncle left as well.”

He’s glaring at me, and I laugh because he looks ridiculous with my hand covering his mouth. Reaching up, he drags my hand away. “I know I asked before, but I’m going to again. You sure you’re okay here? That shit isn’t going to follow you?”

“I don’t have any reason to think otherwise. I’ve been here for a few months now and I haven’t run into anyone from back home.”

Sighing loudly, he wraps me closer until I lay my head back on his chest. “People are so fucking stupid sometimes. If itdoescome here, you won’t have to worry about it.”

I close my eyes without agreeing with him. If it comes here, ifhecomes here, no one will have to worry about it, because I won’t be here. I’ll leave in a heartbeat.

Chapter 29

Sostenuto

Vance

“Another one?”

I jerk my head back at the scathing tone of the woman standing in front of me, hands planted on her rounded hips, sneering up at me like I’m nothing but dirt on her shoes.

“Excuse me?” I ask incredulously. The audacity of this woman talking to me like this. It’s absurd. “I know I don’t have the wrong place. I’m here to see Susu.”

Snorting out a laugh, she turns around and shouts, “Susanna!There’sanotherguy here for you!”

Glancing around the empty hallway, I lean toward her, hissing, “Woman, would you keep your damn voice down? My God. And what do you meananotherguy?” I didn’t bother her last night because Theo had mentioned wanting time to talk with her. I figured if I stopped by this morning, I could bring her some breakfast and have a few hours before we needed to perform tonight.

I grow uneasy, concerned I’ve miscalculated when Susu’s roommate turns her hard, bored eyes on me. Wanting to cool her down, I ask, “May I just come inside, please?”

“No.”

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