Page 80 of Run Away Home: Tempered

I follow the alley behind our building until I reach the rear of My Tokyo. I put the bucket down on the concrete and place my hands on my hips, puffing my cheeks out with air. Finally, I knock on the rusty metal door. A man in a white chef’s coat pushes it open. He looks me up and down, then spits just past my shoe.

“Hi, uhm... I’m from McAlister’s.” I eye the little clump of phlegm near my foot. “You know, right down the street. Our ice machine broke, and—”

“And?” he asks.

“And my boss said I should ask you if we can have some ice.”

“We don’t sell our ice.”

“Wow. Okay. I think it was supposed to be more like you do us a favor, and maybe someday...we can repay you.”

“How can you repay me?”

“With alcohol,” I answer without thinking.

“When?”

“Anytime.”

“Your boss said that?”

“Yup.”

I feel my phone vibrate in my apron.

“That’s a pretty good deal. Frozen water for booze?”

“It’s a one-time offer. Take it or leave it.”

I feel my phone vibrate again. I hope it’s not Danny. I hope everything’s okay...

“Sure, I’ll take it. How much ice do you need?”

“For now, can you fill up this bucket?” I say as I hand it over to him.

“No, but you can come inside and fill it up yourself.”

“Okay, will do.”

He holds the door open for me, and I walk inside.

“Where’s the ice machine?”

“Basement.” He signals toward some stairs.

“Cool. Thanks.” I head down the stairs and feel my phone vibrate again. Three texts in a row? Now I’m really worried. I set the bucket down at the bottom of the steps and pull my phone out of my apron. It’s a number I don’t know.

I fucked ur girlfriend last night.

I got ur # out her phone.

This is Tristian

I put the phone down and pace around the basement. My left hand is on my cheek, and my right grips the phone tighter. I slap it against my leg, clenching and grinding my teeth. What the fuck? Maybe he’s making this up to get a reaction out of me, but this would explain why Hayley got home so late and acted so strange...

My phone vibrates again.

I no u read my text. 2 pussy 2 answer?

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