Page 25 of Broken Skulls

Lily huffs, blowing hair out of her eyes. She places her hands on her hips. Oh shit.

“What do you mean?”

I hold my hands up in the air. “Nothing.” I decide to agree with her rather than insulting her cooking. “I bet you’re right, because I saw them driving up to lookout point just the other night.”

Jesse slaps me again. “Oh, you did not. Don’t start rumors.”

I laugh. “I’m sorry, honey. Jesse’s right, I didn’t see them together. But Grandma Maggie’s food does slap. Nothing against yours.”

Lily is one of those people who doesn’t stay mad. She’s one of the few in the club who doesn’t hold a grudge.

“Jesse’s right. We shouldn’t start rumors. And her food does slap.” She sighs. “I’m just happy Ray’s getting out of the house. Not that I don’t love having him there, it’s just that he’s put his life on hold for a long time to care for Dan’s mom. I want to see him get out and live a little.”

Jesse raises an eyebrow in my direction. “Just like you shouldn’t joke about keeping a woman in your basement. That’s exactly how rumors get started.”

Lily drops the tool in her hand. “What?”

“That’s what JD was joking about the other night. He said he was keeping a woman in his basement.”

“You both know I’ve never been very funny,” I say, avoiding Lily’s gaze.

Jesse rolls her eyes, but Lily continues to stare at me, concern pulling at her brow.

“I’ll help carry these in, but I better get back to the junkyard. I’ve got a load of cars being delivered.”

Chapter Twelve

Elizabeth

Elizabeth.He called me by my birth name. I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before. I’ve always been Lizzie. Wild and crazy Lizzie. Well, I wasn’t always wild and crazy Lizzie. I once was shy and quiet Lizzie.

My fingers dance over the bandages on my arms.

Elizabeth.

My parents don’t even call me by my birthname. But maybe this is part of that new start he’s always talking about.

I’m so confused. He’s confusing me.

Pick up the bat, Elizabeth.

Why did I listen to him?

“Because you really needed to beat the shit out of something, and he gave you the opportunity to do it.”

“But now he knows about Mr. Baxter.”

“So what?”

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter. It’s not like he’s going to go find him. And besides, JD doesn’t know about her.”

“She’s safe.”

“I don’t want to think about him. Let’s think about something else.”

At least I can agree with myself on that.

But no matter how hard I try, there’s nothing here in the dark to distract me.Pick up the bat Elizabeth.

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