Page 66 of If You Want Me
I washed it.
Aurora
Why did it need washing?
Hollis
I found it on the floor.
Aurora
Why did it end up on your dresser?
The dots appear and disappear several times.
Aurora
Did you do naughty things to my scrunchie?
Hollis
Go to sleep, little girl. You have class in the morning.
That’s as good as a yes.
Aurora
Can you say that again in a voice message?
I hold my breath as I wait to see if he’ll respond. A minute later, a voice memo appears.
His rasping command sends a shiver down my spine. “Stop pushing my buttons, Princess.”
I listen to it on repeat while putting Batdick to use. And come twice.
CHAPTER 18
HOLLIS
Princess
Do you need anything from the store?
Hollis
It’s late and dark. Why are you going to the store?
Princess
It’s a two-minute walk. I need chips.
Hollis
What kind of chips?
Princess
The kind I don’t have in my apartment.
