Page 39 of Kings Fear No One
11
TEYSHA
Sydney and her friend Korine McKibbens show up at ten on the dot like agreed. Korine knocks gently while Sydney sends a text.
We’ve come to rescue you :)
I look up from my phone to the bathroom mirror. The reflection that stares back at me is a woman with uncertain eyes and a natural frown. I’ve put effort into looking presentable—the sundress I’ve borrowed from Sydney accentuates my figure and I’ve barrel-curled my hair. I swiped on some lip gloss thinking about how Logan seems to like it; he can never stop staring at my mouth whenever I do.
But outside appearances can be deceiving. The most presentable person can be hiding an ugly truth.
It’s been two weeks since I was rescued from the Chosen Saints compound. Yet the thought of going somewhere in public—so out in the open—gives me anxiety. My ribcage cinches tighter as I draw in a breath.
It’s going to be fine. I’ve been to the mall dozens of times.
My lips spread enough to lift into a smile. I practice holding it for a few seconds, then decide I’ve stalled long enough.
Knowing Sydney, she’ll find a way into the apartment if I don’t answer soon. She’s been worried about me from the moment she found out I was missing. It’s part of the reason she suggested we spend time together today. She says I’ve been holed up too much in Logan’s apartment.
Logan agreed with her and gave me money to enjoy myself.
They might be right that I’ve locked myself away in the apartment for too long.
While it may be true, at least it’s a safe haven.
Everything smells like Logan and he’s the only one that I have to be with.
A trip to the Pulsboro Mall means being open and exposed in public. I was okay when I went to the clerk’s office because I was with Logan.
Today will be my first time in public without him.
“There she is!” Sydney says when I step out the front door.
“Sorry, I was behind on getting ready.”
Korine shrugs from my left side. “No big deal. We have plenty of time. Do we want to eat first or do some shopping?”
We vote on lunch first and wind up at a Tex Mex spot on the other side of town. The ceiling fans spin dizzyingly fast, doing overtime to battle the June heat.
We hear the sizzle before we hear our server’s voice.
“Loaded fajitas for the beautiful trio of ladies.” Our server carefully sets down the huge platter of steak and chicken fajitas in the center of the table. He stands back, clapping his hands together. “Do we need any more napkins? How about a reup on those chips and salsa?”
“We’re good, thank you.”
Our server winks after he lets us know to call him if we need anything else.
“This was a really good idea,” Korine says, sipping from the straw of her Sprite. “I don’t even know where to start with these fajitas.”
“Divide and conquer.” Sydney passes out the smaller plates so we can load our own. “Mace first brought me here after I said I was craving authentic Tex Mex. None of that franchise stuff.”
“Mason has always been a foodie,” Korine says, smirking. She’s carefully transferred a mix of steak and chicken along with peppers onto her plate. “When we were in high school, he was always dragging us to some hole in the wall spot when class let out.”
“It’s the same now. Except no class.” Sydney looks across the table at me. “You want some, Tey?”
“Hmm? Oh, sure.”
“Here, take all this.”
