Page 119 of Flaunt
“Well, a good Chicken Dad would know that,” Banks jokes.
“Pippa and Ashley are out buying new mulch for it now. I kinda built it a little bigger than I anticipated,” Jess says, looking over our shoulders. His brows pull together. “Who is that at your house, Banks?”
We turn to see a white car pulled up to the curb near the mailbox.
“I have no idea who that is,” Banks says, watching them closely.
I hold onto his arm as Jess comes up beside me. A door opens in the back and a little girl with blond hair starts to walk up the sidewalk.
What the hell?
“That’s Bethany,” I say, heading toward her immediately.
She walks up the steps and knocks on the door. The car pulls by us, turns around in front of Damaris’s house, and then scoots out of the neighborhood.
What the hell?
“Hey,” I call out. “Bethany!”
She turns on her heel and sees me, running back down the steps. My pace picks up, getting quicker the closer I get to her.
My heart pounds, and adrenaline shoots through my veins.
Something is wrong.
I sense Banks close behind but don’t bother to check. He’ll be here.He’s Banks.
Bethany lunges toward me, burying her tearstained face in my chest. Her body heaves as she cries out, and I’m left holding her against me, wondering what the fuck is going on.
Banks jogs to us and places his hand on my back. He gives me a look, but I shrug.
“Hey,” I say, brushing her hair away from her face. “Hey, Bethany, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”
She lifts her head and looks up, tears still flooding her face.
My chest is so tight that I can barely breathe. “You’re going to have to talk to me and tell me what’s wrong. Who dropped you off here?”
“A rideshare service.”
We’ll discuss that later.“Are you okay? Did something happen to you?”
Banks places a hand on each of our shoulders and leads us to the porch. “Let’s set down. Do you guys want a drink?”
We sit on the porch steps. I help Bethany remove her backpack and wave Banks off.
“I’ll be inside,” he says quietly. “Just shout if you need me.”
I smile at him.Thank you, Banks, for understanding what we need right now.
“So …” I prompt, curiosity killing me. “I need to know you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. Physically, anyway.”
“I know all about that.”
She smiles sadly.
“Does your mom know where you are?” I ask.
