Page 99 of Shadow and Skulls

“I didn’t say that.” He looks over his shoulder to change lanes.

I switch tactics. Lexi was right. I think this is a good time, because the man is trapped in the car with me for another hour.

“I don’t even really know him. Maybe if I did, I wouldn’t like him. Maybe you’re right. Maybe he is too old for me, and we’ll have nothing in common.”

“I never said that he was too old for you. Don’t put words in my mouth, little girl.” His stern eyes meet mine in the mirror, but I see he’s thinking about what I said.

Yay!

My mom shakes her head, turning her attention out her window. “You two are ridiculous.”

Despite her words, I see her smile in the reflection of the glass.

“Please,” I beg.

“Fine. But I read every word.” He turns the radio up but not before saying how crazy he must be for letting his daughter write to her stalker.

My sexy stalker.

I smile, snuggling down in my seat.

Kelsie two, Dad zero.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Tank

Petey runs his knife under his nails as he waits for me to finish reading the letter he’s just hand delivered.

“What are you waiting for?” I ask, irritated as fuck. I want to read it in privacy.

He shrugs. “I’m waiting for you to write her back so I can deliver it. Duh.” Rolling the blade in the air, he motions for me to hurry it up.

“It has to be hand delivered?” I ask.

“Dan doesn’t trust anyone, especially the postal service.”

I sigh in agreement. He’s got me there, but that doesn’t give me much time to formulate a response. I’m a little caught off guard here.

Petey chuckles, reading my thoughts. “Makes it harder for you to lie to her.”

“I would never lie to her.”

He shrugs. “Just hurry the fuck up, yeah? I got things to do.”

Jesus, I don’t know if I even have any paper. I read her letter while rifling through my boxes. I find a notebook, but every page has my doodles on it. Oh well, it’s better than not giving her a response at all.

I rip out the least drawn-on page and try my best to answer all her questions.

Kelsie,

Sorry for this scribbled on paper. I was all out of stationery. Not sure if I’ve ever owned any, but for you I will go buy some. I’ll try to get your ten-thousand questions answered.

I’m an only child. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was away at summer camp my fourth-grade year. My grandmother raised me. She passed last year.

Fuck, never mind. I hate talking about myself.

I want to know everything about you.

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