Page 68 of Bad Boy
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
LINC
My mind is reeling.
Too many things happened all at once.
As soon as Remi stepped into the “ring,” his phone vibrated in my hand. Without thinking, I flipped it over, reading texts from an unknown number on the lock screen.
I told you I don’t appreciate being ignored.
Enjoy your little field trip while it lasts.
I’ll collect what’s mine soon enough. You owe me.
I know I shouldn’t have read it, and now I wish I hadn’t. But what is going on with him? Is he in trouble? Need money? What can’t he tell his grandfather?
Mr. Keller would literally give him anything.Iwould give him anything. But Remi’s too proud to ask for help. I know that. He gives it so freely, so generously, yet he won’t accept any of his own. But I won’t let that stop me from trying.
Between the eerie text messages, Connor’s confession, and the subsequent bloodbath. . . I’m speechless. My thoughts are a jumbled mess, and I’m frozen in place. Rooted to the spot. Eyes wide and unblinking.
So when the first police sirens blare in the distance, I don’t move. Not even when a stampede of kids rushes toward the big, open barn doors.
I’m knocked into the wall as panicking drunk people push and shove their way past. Every man for himself.
Gus scoops Connor up from the ground, wrapping his near-limp arm around his thick neck and hustling for the back exit, which is where I should be going.
Definitely where I should be going.
Connor’s feet struggle to keep up as Gus drags him toward the door. He has to have a concussion. What Remi did was. . .
Swollen, bloody knuckles wrap around the unblemished skin of my wrist. Caught off guard and on edge, I can’t help but flinch dramatically. I peer into eyes as dark as night and hate the hurt that flares there.
Remi immediately releases me, palms up.
“We have to go.Now.I won’t leave you here. But I cannot get caught, Lincoln. I will go to jail for a very long time if I’m arrested for this shit. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
He’s so calm. How is he so calm?
And jail? Oh God, I can’t go to jail!
The sirens get louder, wailing in displeasure. My heartbeat whooshes in my ears. Sweat beads at my temples. My limbs shake uncontrollably.
I’m losing it. Full on freakin’ out.
“Lincoln! Now!” He tugs my wrist again, and this time I let him. We’re the only two in the barn, and the police sound like they’re right down the street. The hard bite in Remi’s voice snaps me out of my fear-induced paralysis. Ican’tlet him get in trouble.
We take off toward the small door in the back.
“Let’s go! Run! Run!”Remi bolts out first and races toward the edge of the clearing. I follow shortly behind, but he’s aiming for the dark expanse of forest.
“Remi! Stop!” I reach out and grab his hand, nearly tripping as I try to stop him.
He whips his head back, panting, and blurts out, “I can’t get caught!”
“B-but there are bears! This is North Carolina, not Detroit!” I shout between heaving breaths.
“I’ll take my chances.Hurry.”
