Page 111 of Ride or Die
My mouth drops. Daya's pregnant? I can’t believe everything I'm learning tonight. And not only that, Williams is Axel’s dad and seems more willing to take care of his unborn grandchild than his own son. What an asshole.
“I’m sorry, Layla,” she says quietly, looking at me one last time before exiting the house. It breaks my heart. She was a good friend. I hope to god he does what’s right and takes care of her. She didn’t deserve any of this.
My heart breaks for my friend and what her future may hold. Axel watches as Daya leaves and swallows hard, but he reluctantly lets me go. I run across the room into Colt's arms, which wrap around me tight. His heart thunders in his chest as a sob escapes me.
“Go get into the car Axel, we need to get the fuck out of here,” Williams says firmly. Axel gives us an apologetic glance before he follows suit, exiting through the front door.
Axel disappears into the night, willing to go to any lengths to end the risk of being killed at the hands of the dealers and bookies he owes. But I’m not sure being Williams’ bitch is any better. Only God knows what Axel is about to endure doing his dirty work.
Williams turns to us, resting a hand on each of our shoulders and shaking us. “You’re lucky I like ya kid. I only wish my own son could have been like you. Don’t worry about this, we will get this cleaned up. Now get the fuck out of here and head out to California. Good luck kids.”
Before we leave, I walk over to where the tarped bodies lay and pick up my necklace off the floor. Colt grabs the duffle bag and guides us back to the door, and we grab my one last box of childhood mementos that Colt came for in the first place.
Then we step into the darkness, heading back to his house as the goons finish wrapping up my parents' bodies.
What a whirlwind of a night. Who would have thought that the big bad crime boss would come to our rescue tonight? It pays to be good to people. It can come back at the right time.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-FIVE
OUT OF HERE
LAYLA
As soon as we get back to Colt’s place, we waste no time packing the boxes and bags we have waiting for this very moment. We lift the floorboards, taking the packages of money and throwing those into the duffle bag too. Filling his car to the tits with our stuff. This is all we are taking with us.
We aren’t staying here for another second.
Thankfully, Colt’s mom was off earlier today before I went to work so we could say our goodbyes and tell her we would be in contact. Jen didn’t want to come with us yet, calling The Shores her home. It's all she’s known for twenty-five years, living here ever since she met Colt’s dad. She is also still waiting for him to come back for her. She refused to know where we're going to keep us safe and promised that if his dad came back, they would find us one day.
Colt knew this would happen and enrolled her in the Meals on Wheels program for people with mental and physical disabilities. It was difficult watching their goodbye. Even though they barely interacted while I was around, they have such a loving relationship. Completely opposite to the one I had withmy parents. She knew this was his plan all along and encouraged us to go. When we left, the look on her face was that of a proud mother.
It’s not often that people actually escape The Shores.
We move quickly to get the hell out of here before any other shit hits the fan. We don’t need more people catching wind that we’re getting the fuck out of here tonight.
We start up the car with our destination set for a hotel in the city. As we drive, Colton takes my hand and squeezes it, giving me a small, reassuring smile. Tonight's events really threw a wrench into the level of excitement we should be feeling right now. But it's happening, and the realization of it all is hitting home as we drive through the suburb we have called home for over ten years, the shithole we are finally escaping.
Together.
As we pull up to the four-way stop that leads out of The Shores, we see Simone standing on the corner, wearing barely anything. I squeeze Colt’s hand, and he understands, pulling over into the mini strip mall parking lot. I get out and run over to her. As much as I am mad at her, I have to make peace with her before I take off.
“Simone! Mom and Dad?—”
“I know. I was coming home when they were…bringing them out.” She swallows a lump in her throat. “I work for Franky now, so I won’t be living there anymore. I can’t afford it.” My heart breaks for her. I know what life holds for her now, and it’s bleak.
“Listen, we’re leaving. You sure you don’t want to run?” I ask one last time. She shakes her head.
“I can’t,” she says quietly as tears fill her eyes. I nod and feel the lump getting larger in my throat.
“Sell all the shit in the house, anything that’s left is yours. Take care of yourself, okay? Be careful. I fucking hate you, but I still love you, so damn much it’s stupid. My number will change.I’ll find a way to be in contact one day.” She gives me a small smile, and the first tears drop from her eyes. It’s the first time I’ve seen her cry in nearly a decade. I pull her close and hug her, kissing her on the cheek.
As we pull apart, I take a box out of my pocket and open it, the chain and locket falling into my hand. I wrap it around her neck. She looks down and examines it. Her eyes meet mine, and more tears fall from down her cheeks as she gives me a pouty smile. The locket we shared as children.
It has a picture of us when we were young and happy, our life before The Shores.
“I fucking hate you, but I love you too, Layla. You’re free, goal accomplished,” she says quietly, and another tear falls. But she sucks in a breath and swallows, blinking back the tears in her eyes and putting on the strong front she’s known for.
