Page 16 of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

“Just… that if you need me, you call me. For anything. I will drop everything I’m doing to get to you.”

Jesus, I’m never going to get out from under the Lords—because I knew how I’d answer before he ever asked it of me. “I promise.”

“Good. So tell me, what’re you wearing?”

“Gage—babe. I’m not at home. I’m in the parking lot.”

“Does the state have laws against you telling your old man what you’re wearing?”

“No, but—you know we don’t stick to talking. And I can’t…” I drop my voice to a whisper as if anyone else could hear me. “Touch myself in the truck.”

“Why, Livvy Michelle Baxter, are you suggesting we debase ourselves for sinful pleasures of the flesh?”

“Dammit!” I begin to cry. “Why is my head so messed up? Elise was buried alive and she’s coping just fine.”

“Don’t. Don’t you do that. You’re not Elise. Running out of air is scary. But running out of air while the box you’re in fills up with water, that’s a particular brand of torture Elise never had to live through.”

“Okay.” I sniff. “And um… I miss your smell, too.”

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