Page 23 of Resolutions

Taking a couple of breaths, I get myself more under control. “You ass, you just admitted lying and now you want me to trust you?”

“I am an ass, aren't I?” He chuckles. “But enough about me. Let's discuss your prize for that round. The old lady and her grandson? Brilliant performance. Really, I almost applauded.Very resourceful.” His voice darkens. “Had that not been such an impressive ballsy move, I would've punished them for helping you?”

The casual shift makes my stomach roll. I breathe out, “Punish?”

“You needn't worry about that. I said it was impressive.”

Bile rises. “You wouldn't...”

“Do you doubt me?” Steel enters his tone.

“No,” I pause to check my tone. “Michael, could I call my aunt? They must be so worried-”

“NO. Try it and see what happens. Besides, Cameron told them you ran away.”

Hearing his name, my heart clenches and the tears start again. “Is Cameron okay?”

“No, he hates you. Of course, my note probably had something to do with that, but c'est la vie.”

“Note?”

“Yes, a note. You didn't think I would let you leave without a,” his voice mimics mine, “I don't love you; I've never loved you. I don't want to be a Whitaker, note. I have to tell you it was a tearjerker. Cameron wadded it up, then un-wadded it. Only to wad it up again. Such emotion, he should win an Oscar.”

“You're a horrible person,” I say, almost feeling the anguish my poor Cameron must be feeling.

“Watch. Yourself.” Each word falls like a hammer. “Keep your phone on. LAST WARNING.” The line dies.

Luckily, I was coming up at a rest stop. I slam the car into park, gasping. My hands shake so badly I stuff them in my hoodie pockets, clutching them together. The world blurs as panic claws up my throat.

I fight back a wave of nausea. Then, unable to fight it anymore, I throw open my car door and lean out. I throw up. And keepthrowing up. One thought going through my mind as I dry heave: How is he getting so much enjoyment out of this?

Chapter 10

Melanie

A tap on my window jolts me from the fog of panic. My hand instinctively reaches for the keys to start the car before I register the man standing there is a middle-aged, kind face, wearing a tan janitor's uniform. He leans down, peering in with concern.

“Miss?” His voice is muffled through the glass. “Are you okay?”

My first impulse is to open the door, but Michael's threats echo in my head. Instead, I crack the window barely an inch.

“Yes, thank you. I'm fine.” My voice sounds hollow even to my ears as reality filters back in. “I guess my lunch didn't sit too well. I'm sorry, I'll clean it up.”

“You've been sitting here staring for over an hour.” He glances at my white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel. “My missus was worried. Asked me to check on you.” His eyes scan the backseat quickly, checking for signs of trouble, I realize. “Noneed to clean up a parking lot. The birds have taken most of it, anyway.”

“They have?” I hadn't seen a single bird, but if pressed, I would swear I've only been here ten minutes. Looking at my phone, I realize the man is telling the truth. I have been here for over an hour. “I'm... processing some bad news.” I force my fingers to release the wheel. “Please tell your wife I'm okay.”

“Maybe you shouldn't be driving right now.” Real concern colors his voice. “We take care of this place. You can stay as long as you need. Do you want to come in? The wife makes a good cup of tea.”

“I appreciate that, but I need to go.” I start the car and ease back, careful not to clip him as I pull away. “Thank you,” I called out.

Glancing over, I see Moses still sprawled in a peaceful sleep on the passenger seat. “Must be nice being a cat. You can sleep through anything, not a care in the world.”

“Incoming call from Cameron, my love.”

Listening to the car announce his call breaks my heart. God, I wish I could talk to him. Be safe in his arms. Warn him against Michael. But I can't risk it. I just can't. Signs for the next town appear - restaurants, hotels, salvation. Exhaustion hits like a physical wave. I should keep driving, but to where? I'm so tired I'm afraid I'll fall asleep.

A Walmart sign catches my eye. Where there's Walmart, there's usually hotels. But they won't take cash. I'll need to get a prepaid card loaded first.

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