Page 38 of Power Play

Another groan with unintelligible mumbled words fills the third row. I pull my knees into my seat and press a cool cheek against the headrest. Glassy, bloodshot eyes blink up but don't focus.

How long will it take for her come down from a meth high? She’s always been an addict at worst, alcoholic at best, but she was a good mom. As good as she could be, I guess. Not great, but it could’ve been worse.

“Mom. You're okay. It's me, Randi. You’re home.”

A wet cackle rattles her chest, and I cringe back an inch. “Randi. I missed you, honey.”

Right, and a Texas summer isn't hot.

“Let's get her inside.” I turn to open the door but pause at Trouble’s eyes focused on me. “What?”

He shakes his head and throws the door open like it pissed him off somehow. Before I can do the same, mine opens on its own with T just outside the door. I nod in thanks and slide out to access the back seat where Mom’s laid out. Without a word, T reaches into the back and carefully slides Mom out, cradling her tiny frame in his arms.

Warm tears fill my lower lids as I stare at the two. His larger-than-life size dwarfing hers making her body look so tiny and frail.

My lips purse to keep the building emotions shoved down deep where they belong. Tonight I can break down. When I'm alone later, I can freak out and cry over the last twenty-four hours. Until then, I keep my shit together. No showing weakness.

“Okay, then,” I croak, the rising emotions stealing my voice.Dammit!Keep your shit together, Randi.

Dead grass crunches beneath my Converses as I turn to my old home and march for the front door. My stomach lurches into my throat when the first step cracks beneath my weight. Moving slower, I gingerly step onto the next wooden stair, testing it before putting my full weight on the rotting wood. “Good to know the money I've sent you has gone to good use,” I grumble.

I knew better then to send her money, but she’s my mom, and I had it, so I sent her some when she was in a bad spot. I clearly remember those ‘bad spot’ days, or years for me; I couldn’t turn her away empty-handed.

Stepping on the landing, I crack my neck and grasp the flimsy metal door handle. I pause, staring at the clouded window. What will the inside look like if the outside is the start of a horror film? The handle wiggles in my grasp. There’s a screech of rusted metal bending, and then the door flies open. Adrenaline explodes from my belly, shooting scorching heat through my veins. I curse, jolting back to keep the door from giving me tetanus. Losing my footing, I stumble back a step. Arms flailing, I take another step back, only to meet air instead of more rotten wood.

Swinging my arms in large circles, I attempt to fight gravity from taking me down.

But like always, that bitch wins.

Chapter Twelve

Randi

The air whistles from my lungs, my neck snapping back against something solid.

“Fuck.” A hot breath brushes through my hair, floating it across my face.

Heart in my throat, I take a breath and hold it to calm down before I stroke out. My entire body trembles, but I stay upright due to strong arms banded around my waist. A pleasant spicy scent hits my nose.Hmm, that smells nice.I take another deep whiff, my eyes rolling back in my head at the desire that sparks from the scent alone. To my credit, my odd behavior could be from aggravating last night’s head trauma by cracking it again on… wait, what did I crack it on?

Following the mix of citrus and cinnamon, I sniff the air a few times, following it until my nose smacks into a solid, suit-covered chest.

“Seriously?” A deep chuckle vibrates Trouble’s chest, tickling my own. “Did you just sniff me? Maybe we should get your head checked again.”

“Probably wouldn't be a terrible idea,” I mutter with my nose still buried in the soft fabric of his jacket. “Just one more sniff.”

“Baby!”

The magical bubble his scent surrounded me in bursts. His arm tightens a fraction before helping me step out of his hold to stand on my own. I turn, a snarl pulling at my lips at the man standing on the landing.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” I demand. My fingers curl into tight fists at my side. “Mom, what is he doing here? Did you call him baby?” My gaze doesn’t leave the piece-of-shit slimeball standing just outside Mom's trailer door. A sleazy smile spreads across his pockmarked cheeks, displaying what remains of his teeth—which isn't much.

“Well, I'll be fucking damned.” A shiver runs down my spine as realization dawns. “Shoulda known she'd get your skinny ass out of jail.”

“Ma'am?”

I reluctantly pull my attention from Jimmy, our small town’s main drug dealer, to T. Mom wiggles in his arms, attempting to get away, eyes only for Jimmy.

“This can't be happening,” I mutter. I gesture toward the ground for T to set her down. What other choice do I have? Make her come back to DC with me? Hell no. That town isn't ready for Mom's shit show life.

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