Page 42 of Filthy Savage

“Being that I can’t work and you’re more than capable, I decided it’s gonna be you who’ll be working because we’re gonna have to pay rent or we’ll end up on the street.”

“Uh, okay. Yeah, of course. I can get some shifts at the movie theater after school. They were looking for people.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “That’s not gonna cut it. You’re gonna have to quit school and work actual jobs instead of going to college. That whole going-away-to-school plan you had going ain’t gonna work out for me anymore.”

“What?” Emily fires before I can get a word out.

My world spins, tears burning behind my eyes.

“Are you telling me you’re gonna force your daughter to quit high school just so she can go work to support you when you have never held a damn job for more than a week?”

My mother moves toward her, nostrils flared. “You have some nerve speaking to me like that, you little rich bitch. What do you know about the real world when Mommy and Daddyhand you everything on a silver platter? You’ve never had to work for a thing in your life.”

Emily’s features go visibly tight. “And I know my parents wouldnevertell me to quit school just so I could work. They’d do whatever they could to make sure I graduated and had an education.”

She tsks. “Please! An education? The only education a girl needs is to know how to use her body to get what she wants. That’s all, honey. Maybe you’ll learn one day.”

Emily’s mouth twitches like she’s about to say something else, her expression so rage-filled, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this way.

“I’m going now. Gotta call your school to tell them you won’t be coming back.”

“Nonono! Please, Mom!” I rush over and grab her wrist. “I—I swear, I can work two jobs. I can help! But please, I need to finish school. I need to go to college!”

My heart feels as if it’s being torn piece by piece, but she merely snickers.

“Sorry, honey. But sometimes we gotta make sacrifices for people we love, and this is yours.”

My hands shake as I sob. “Please! I’ve never asked for anything. But I’m asking, Mom. Please let me do this! I can help us. I can get better jobs with a degree. I’ve always wanted to go to?—”

“Stop making a scene, Amara. You look pathetic.”

My heart still stings from her words. Her lies.

She fooled me. Made herself appear sick. Even faked doctor’s appointments that her boyfriend was pretending to drive her to. He was just as much of an asshole as she was.

She wanted to ruin my life. That’s why she did it. Ruin my chances of getting an education and going away to college somewhere far away.

Now I’m stuck here. With her. Working to pay rent that she won’t pay. If I don’t, I’ll have to move. Everything is so expensive, I can’t afford it.

At least I’ve got Max, my golden retriever. Bet he missed me. I hated leaving him with my mother, but I had no choice. Emily’s mom is allergic to dogs, or she would’ve taken care of him.

“Maybe you can move in with me. My parents said you can take the basement and?—”

“No.” I run a hand down my face. “I appreciate that, but I’d never inconvenience your family that way, Em. Especially with your mom’s allergies.”

She sighs. “Well, the offer is always there.”

“I know. You’re too good to me, and if it wasn’t for you, I’d have no one, so thank you for being my friend.” I drop my head over her shoulder. “I mean that.”

“I love you, stupid. Don’t make me all weepy. I hate crying.”

Laughing, I squeeze her forearm.

Less than an hour later, we’re pulling up to my home—the shutters cracked, the wooden fence with broken pieces across the dead grass. I hate everything about this place.

My chest tightens as I stare at it. “Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay.” Her voice grows sympathetic. “If you need me, just text me.”

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