Page 98 of Save Her from Me

“You’re wrong. The fault lies with your slut of a sister. It always has,” TJ’s father intoned.

My last semblance of restraint fled.

Regardless of his shitty words, I saw TJ.

I launched over the table, grasping him by the lapels.

My mother gave a little shriek and reached for me, but Ariel stood, too, blocking her from interfering.

“Aren’t ye going to stop him?” Ma demanded.

“If he didn’t do that, I would’ve,” my fake girlfriend replied.

I leaned in to TJ’s father, dimly aware of people at nearby tables scattering away. He’d aged since I’d last had the displeasure of seeing him. Deep lines in his skin. His nose bulbous and purpling.

“Talk about my sister like that again and I’ll end your miserable existence. No, I won’t stand witness for your son. I wouldn’t at his trial and I won’t now, though I wish I’d stood up for the prosecution and had my say. He deserves to rot in jail.”

I released him, shoving him back to the bench while staying on my feet.

This was over. I never should’ve come.

TJ’s father clutched at his throat and wheezed. “You’ll go to that meeting and you’ll give the character witness ye should’ve years ago. It’s your fault he’s locked up. He was your best friend.” Then he dropped his voice. “If ye don’t, there’s a dozen people watching on who’ll back my claim of an assault charge that will lose ye your precious job. Welcome to unemployment.”

I’d heard enough. With Ariel close behind me, I stormed from the café and out into the freezing February day.

We marched back to the car, my brain a mess.

Inside, I turned on the heat and put my face in my hands. “I’m sorry about that.”

The violence. The loss of control.

“They set you up.”

I opened and closed my mouth. She was right. “Shite.”

With a groan, I banged my head on the seat, the adrenaline simmering and my mind returning.

“You really didn’t get to give evidence against him at his trial?”

“I was considered unreliable because of my fucked-up state. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”

“He was found guilty. You didn’t need to be there. Forgive yourself.” Ariel kissed the side of my face. “Out.”

“Out?”

“Of the car. I want to drive.”

We were safe enough, far from home and the greater danger of the man hunting her.

“Fine,” I muttered. “For the record, I can drive when stressed but I won’t miss the chance of ye in my driving seat.”

“Spank bank material?”

“Ye have no idea.”

Ariel snickered a laugh, and we traded places.

She drove me out of Inverness, confident and gunning the engine with glee.

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