Page 92 of Devil's Bargain

FIFTEEN

April.

I’m lying in the backseat of my car, listening to the rain hammering on the window. I’ve parked somewhere far out in the woods, away from humanity. I’ve never been here before, but when I saw the gravel turn off with overgrown weeds, I spun the wheel so fast that the tires squealed. It’s getting dark outside. I can only just make out the trees moving in the wind.

I stare at the last message I sent to Rick. I can’t deny the weird twinge of jealousy I feel knowing he’s with someone right now, probably that Madeleine girl.

I throw the phone down in the footwell and rub my hands over my face as I blow out a breath. God… I can’t believe I told him what to do to that girl and to imagine it was me he was doing it too.

It felt like the only thing I could do to take back control and combat the jealousy inside me. Maybe it’s someone else’s mouth around his dick, but it’s my lips and my tongue in his mind.

Why the fuck am I jealous? We’re not a couple, and we can never be one, thanks to my fucked up situation. Jared and Scott have still not paid me a penny toward this month’s rent. My mom is probably getting high somewhere or sleeping with Jared again. What the fuck was that about? What kind of game is he playing?

And Scott? This was an arrangement between us, so how did Jared get involved? And what about the salt and pepper man they sold me to?

Sold me to.

What the fuck is happening with my life?

My phone starts ringing in the footwell, so I roll onto my side and flip the screen. It’s Nina.

“Hi.”

“Where the fuck are you?” she shrieks. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

“I’m in my car.”

She’s quiet for a short moment. “Well, gee, that’s helpful. I’m getting really fucking worried about you! We’ve hardly seen you lately!”

I sit up and look out the side window. The trees are whipping in the wind. “I’ve been busy, Nina.”

“You keep telling me that.”

I don’t reply.

She sighs. “Are you coming over tonight? We’re going to Josh’s in a bit.”

I try to see out of the driver’s window, but the rain is too heavy. “I’m sleeping in my car tonight.”

She laughs. “God, you’re funny, April.”

“I’m not joking.” Reaching down, I grab my bottle of soda out of the storage pocket and unscrew the lid. “I don’t want to go home. My mom is in a bad place.”

“You don’t have to go home. You can stay with me.”

“I know. Thank you.”

The air smells of fresh rain and forest. I take a sip. “You’re a good friend, Nina.”

She chuckles. “And you’re a shit friend!”

This time it’s my turn to laugh. “I suppose I can’t argue with you there.” I balance the phone between my ear and shoulder as I place the soda bottle back in the storage pocket and lean back against the backseat. “Have you ever been jealous?”

“Jealous?” She sounds dumbfounded. “You know I don’t do that shit.”

“So chess boy has never flirted with anyone?”

She scoffs. “The girl on the debate team with super curly hair and freckles flirts with him. I may have threatened her on the odd occasion.”

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