Page 102 of Rock Chick Rescue

“Taken…” I started to say and then it hit me.

Mom, Ada and me watching through the window as Eddie talked to Mr. Greasy Coveralls.

I turned and stared at Eddie. “You didn’t.”

A car swung in. Mr. Greasy Coveralls handed Eddie my car keys and got in the other car and took off. I didn’t take my eyes off Eddie the whole time.

“Tell me you didn’t,” I demanded.

He watched me closely.

“I did,” he replied.

I considered scratching his eyes out. Then I thought that probably wasn’t very nice. I mean, he just spent, like, a thousand dollars on my piece of shit car.

Then I considered screaming. But I decided to reserve my energy. Who knew what was going to happen next and I needed to be prepared.

So, instead, I stomped to the truck. I wrenched open the door to get the grocery bags but I was pulled out of the way and the door was shut by Eddie.

That was it, I could take no more, and I whirled around to face him.

“I’ll pay you back, every penny. The minute we get upstairs, I’ll write you a check.”

It would almost break the bank but I was going to do it.

“I’m not gonna take your money,” he replied.

“You are. I don’t like to be indebted to anyone.”

Especially not you, I thought but did not say.

His hand went to my belly and he pushed me gently against the truck. “That’s the point. Iwantyou indebted to me.”

Hewhat?

“Youwhat?” I yelled.

He closed in and I had nowhere to retreat. Anyway, I was too freaked out to retreat.

“If you’re indebted to me, you’re connected to me. Whatever makes you take care of your mom, your dad, kids getting chemo and friends who make bad decisions on who to date is gonna make you stay connected to me because you owe me. You aren’t connected to me, the minute this is all over with your dad, you’re gone. I’m makin’ certain that doesn’t happen.”

I didn’t know what to say. He’d totally figured me out.

How didthathappen?

Nevertheless, I tried to speak. “I…you—”

He cut me off, bent his head closer and started talking. I could smell him and I could feel his heat and I had to admit, it was getting to me.

“Whatever your next disaster, I’m gonna be there. Buying your groceries, fixin’ your car, dealin’ with your dad, I don’t give a fuck. I want you to owe me. It gives me the upper hand and I’m gonna need the upper hand to wear you down. And Jet…”

He stopped, he was looking into my eyes, and he had that look he had this morning, after Mom and Lavonne came home and before I walked out of my room. The look made my belly feel funny and my knees get weak.

“What?” I asked.

Honestly the suspense was killing me.

“There’s one thing today proved.”

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