Page 34 of The Triplets and the Blonde

“I figured.” I picked up the puppy and sat on the nearest bench.

“I want to stay here.” She turned away from me.

There was so much in what she had said. Earlier when we had talked about it she had mentioned as much, but this felt different. It felt final.

“Why?” I snapped. Everything I had done was to get us out of here.

“It’s a good life. The Trips aren’t so bad. The work is easy. There are great people here.” She waved at Pat.

“The Trips are terrible. They have held me captive. I almost died under their care. Here we will never be free. Pat is the only good thing here.” I ground my teeth. Vickie had always had it worse than me on the streets. Of course to her this was easy.

“The Trips are good people, Sweetie. I keep telling you that. You have to give them a chance.” Pat placed his hand on my shoulder. “They haven’t been that bad to you have they?”

Visions of Aiden’s hand in my pants flashed across my mind. At that moment he hadn’t been so bad. Then there was the kiss with Jason. There was so much in that kiss, I wanted more.

“What is it? Your face is beat read.” Vickie sat beside me.

“Okay, but you two must promise not to say anything.” I took a deep breath.

They both nodded.

“I kinda kissed Jason and um Aiden sorta fingermetillImeltedintoapuddle.” The last part came out so fast it was one jumbled mess.

“Oh, Sweetie. I knew it. The way they look at you. And when you were sick the way Aiden worried about you.” Pat clasped his hands together. “This is so great.”

“Woah, you did what?” Vickie waved her hand. “You don’t need to repeat the last part. I get it. Then why all this angst?”

“They are keeping me captive!” I snapped. Had they forgotten about that part?

“Cause you won’t tell them where the bag you stole is.” Vickie got up and stood in front of me. “For whatever reason it’s super important to them.”

“Sweetie, you may not know what you stole, but trust me. It’s mega important. Not just to them.” Pat stood next to Vickie.

“But...but...If I give it back, we will never get the money to go to Mexico. We will be stuck in New Boston.” I set the puppy back on the ground. He gave my sweatpants a little nip before running away.

“I met someone.” Vickie knelt in front of me. “I won’t leave him.”

My stomach dropped. The Triplets had fooled around with me. Were they doing the same with her? Did I have a right to be jealous? No. Could it have been Derek? He hadn’t done anything with me. It could have been all three. She said someone. Maybe it was only one of them. Ugh, my stomach twisted. Vomit crept up my throat.

“Who?” I asked. I had to know even if it hurt. Knowing I had no rights to them and was still trying to hate them, didn’t matter.

“His name is Miguel. He works here. I can’t wait for you to meet him.” Vickie grabbed my hands.

“Oh.” I let out a long deep breath. “So why does it matter to both of you if I give them the bag?”

“We care about you, Sweetie. The Trips don’t want to do this to you. Their family is coming in soon. If they find out you stole the bag, they will have you killed. Sure they will put on a fake trial. In the end you will be found guilty and they will kill you. No one wants that.” Pat wiped a tear from his eye.

I stood and paced. My life mattered to me. Could I really give it up for some dream of Mexico? Dying wouldn’t help anyone. Even if Vickie wanted to stay, they might go after her next. If I wasn’t alive to sell the bag to Carlos none of it would matter anyway. This would all be for nothing.

Vickie stared at me with pleading eyes. She wanted to stay. Mexico would be nothing without her. If this was what she truly wanted then I would give it to her.

Pat had a few more rogue tears. I barely knew him, yet he had instantly become a friend. He cried for me. My life mattered to him. I couldn't hurt my two true friends.

“Fine. I’ll do it,” I whispered.

They grabbed me from both sides. The hug hurt the lingering pains in my back. It didn’t matter. I squeezed back. These two people were my family. If they wanted me to give back the stupid bag then that’s what I would do.

“Let’s go,” Pat released me and grabbed my hand.

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