Page 79 of Grace's Redemption
I didn’t hear another word. I scooted one foot to the right. Happy it decided to hold me up. I tried the other and more of the same. I saw Grace rise and I glared at her. She sat back down.
“You’re lying.” I said. It came out more as a question.
She shook her head from side to side.
“I heard the bikes return and I took off down the hall to Mattie’s room and hid under the covers. I didn't’ know what else to do. Derrick found me later. He told me Mattie was gone and Papa Scott needed me.”
I turned my back on her. I didn’t want to hear it.
“I was so scared. I didn’t know what else to do. I was numb. All I knew was I needed to get the fuck out of there.” I turned around and she looked up at me. “Derrick brought me to him. He didn't say a word about Mattie. He said he was so excited about the baby. Mattie must have told him it was his.”
“I can’t.” I head out of the garage.
Grace followed close on my heels. I made it halfway back down the alley between her house and the neighbor’s.
“Mase.”She grabbed my arm.
“No.” I pulled it away. “Don’t you fucking touch me.”
She leaned back against her house.
“I’m sorry.” She crossed her arms. “I wanted to tell you, but then you had it in your head to find out what happened to Mattie. I knew if I stayed, it would be worse. I’d be bringing a baby up in all of that. You know.” She pointed at me. “You left because you didn’t want the Dragons to define you. I thought if I got rid of the baby, I’d be off to college like I’d planned after the summer and then I’d disappear.” She dropped her chin to her chest. “I didn't’ know that Eugene would want me dead or you’d volunteer to do it.”
“I volunteered because if I didn’t youwould bedead right now.”
“Yeah, seems family doesn’t make you safe in the Dragons household.” I saw regret on her face as soon as the words left her mouth, but it wasn’t fast enough for me to stop the rage building inside of me.
I grabbed her around the neck and pressed her into the wall. She clawed at my hands and pleaded with me.
I couldn’t hear her anguish or feel anything as she scratched the flesh on my knuckles.
As her eyes grew wide, she had the look of defeat.
My heart spoke up loud and clear.
I knew if I ended her now, I might as well take my own life as well.
I loved her too much to live without her.
I let go.
She fell to the ground gasping for breath.
I bent down next to her. Hugged her to me.
She sat up slapping and kicking to get out of my grip. She crawled away.
“Fuck you Mess.” She spouted between coughs. “Get the fuck away from me.”
I reached for her.
She tumbled back away from my arms, crawled a few feet before taking off and disappearing up the stairs and into the house. She slammed the door shut. It physically hurt to see her run away from me. The fear in her eyes, when she looked at me, broke my heart.
I punched the brick and pain radiated down my arm. Red spots peppered my knuckles. I pushed off the wall and made my way back to my bike.
I wiggled my fingers. They weren’t broke, but it would hurt like a son of bitch for a while.
I almost wished I had broken every bone in my hand. I wanted to make sure I never had the opportunity to put hands on Grace in anger again.
