Page 7 of Jameson: Mayhem Makers

“Because your dad is a psycho, and you can’t talk to him like a normal person would. But you’re going out on your own and starting a whole new life. You saved up everything you could with what little you had, and you’re taking a huge risk going against your dad.”

I blew out a breath, then laughed. “Yeah, so why would you want to go with me? Being with me will put you at risk too.”

“Luz, you’re my best friend. You’ve been there for me more than anyone else in my life, including my parents. You’re the only one who’s really cared for me,” she said softly, her voice cracking slightly at the end. “You’re my family, and I want to go with you on this journey.”

My chest tightened with emotion. Elise usually avoided showing or talking about feelings because of her parents. She had everything she needed when it came to material things, but not the love and affection she’d always wanted from her parents.

I reached over to grab her hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.”

Wiping her face, she sniffled. “So, first stop, New Orleans?”

We’d decided to get out of Florida as fast as possible and give ourselves a longer head start if my dad came after me right away.

I grinned. “New Orleans, baby.”

Right before leaving Miami, we’d ditched our phones in the Everglades and got prepaid ones to hold us over until we reached Seattle.

It was a little over a twelve-hour drive from Miami to New Orleans. About halfway there, Elise and I stopped to get a bite to eat and switched places so she could get some sleep while I drove the rest of the way.

We were staying at a fancy hotel in the French Quarter. We arrived right after check-in time, and I was so thankful because I was exhausted. I’d barely been allowed to drive a car before and had definitely never driven for six hours straight.

Once we were in our room, I collapsed on the bed. Elise was paying for everything with cash, but she already had a credit card with her new name to use when necessary or for emergencies.

Elise plopped down on the bed next to me. “I can’t believe we’re in New Orleans.”

A small smile tipped my lips as I fought to stay awake. “Me either.”

“Hey,” Elise said, shaking me. “There’s no way you’re sleeping on our first night out.”

I chuckled. “It’s only four. I just need a nap. I’ve been up for over twenty-four hours.”

Elise sighed. “Okay, but I’m waking you up in three hours to get ready.”

Elise stuck to her word about waking me up, and I was glad. I’d left my family to experience life and make my own choices, and I definitely wanted to have fun in New Orleans, especially since we were only planning to stay one night.

“There’s this restaurant a couple of blocks from here that is a local staple, and then we have to go to Cafe Du Monde, of course,” Elise said as we got in the elevator to go to the lobby.

“And Bourbon Street,” I added.

When we got to the restaurant, I couldn’t help but watch the entrance. I was so afraid that my dad would come barging in even though he probably hadn’t even made it back to Florida yet.

I tried to push the fear aside, not wanting to ruin my road trip because of anxiety.

As we waited for our food, Elise said, “I think I want to hook up with a guy in each city that we stop in.”

I scrunched my nose. “Make sure you use protection.”

Elise giggled. “You should, too. That one time with your lab partner from high school doesn’t count.”

Since my parents were so controlling, I was only able to go to school and work, then home. I had zero social life. Elise and I were friends because we were in school together, and my parents agreed to let her come to our house sometimes.

I didn’t want to graduate high school a virgin, so I’d asked my lab partner during my senior year if he wanted to have sex with me.

“Um, his thing went inside me, so it counts,” I argued with a scoff. “And I bled.”

My best friend laughed. “Still, you need to have a real experience. Not some rushed hookup underneath the bleachers at our high school.”

She was right, but I’d never had the opportunity. My dad didn’t allow me to date in high school, and when I’d graduated, he’d tried to set me up with the sons of his cartel friends, but itnever worked out. I had no desire to be in that life any more than I was, and I was surprised my dad hadn’t forced me to marry yet.

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