Page 33 of Screamer
“Geez, chill,” I mutter when I pull it out of my pocket.
My entire body seizes when I see the number that accompanies the texts. It’s not a saved number, but I’d recognize it anywhere: Jace.
Jace: You’re really letting yourself go, Roxie. That’ll have to change when we get back home.
Jace: Leaving me was a mistake. Shacking up with a Texas hick is just the icing on the cake. You’ll pay for that.
Jace: Ignoring me isn’t going to make me go away.
I throw my cell onto the bed and curl up on top of the comforter in the fetal position. How did he get my new number? Was that really him at the diner? And more importantly, how the fuck is he going to make me pay?
As I play different scenarios in my head, my phone buzzes with a notification. Fear races through me, and I want to ignore it, but I don’t. Jace doesn’t get to have that kind of power over me anymore.
The screen is lit up, and I silently thank God when it’s a different number.
Unknown: This is Screamer, or Ben if you’d prefer. I meant what I said… call me if you need anything. And Roxie?
Me: What?
Screamer: Thanks for listening today. It’s been a long time since I’ve talked about Ally, and it felt good.
I lower my phone and smile. No, Jace doesn’t get to have power over me. He lost that right the second he tried to break me.
CHAPTER 16
SCREAMER
I am fucked.
“I’m gonna give Roxie a call an—”
“I’ll call her,” I bark, narrowing my eyes on Journey.
He smirks. “Oh, damn, it’s like that, is it?”
“Like what?”
It’s been a few days since I gave Roxie my cell number, and she has yet to use it. Hell, she didn’t even text me back. I’m dying to talk to her, but I know I’ve gotta let her do things in her own time. Calling her to let her know her bike is ready is a different matter. That’s not a social call. It’s business.
That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
“You like her,” he says simply.
“She’s easy to like.”
“I’m not talking platonically, and you know it.”
I smack him upside the head before taking my cell out of my pocket. “Leave it alone.”
Pulling up her contact info, I hit send and press the phone to my ear.
“Screamer and Roxie sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” Journey sings.
“Shut the fuck up,” I snap.
“Excuse me,” Roxie says.
“Shit, sorry. Not you, sweetheart.”
