Page 115 of Strange Lad

I can’t help but silently judge the guy. He’s a bit of an asshole, and while I’m appreciative he didn’t leave us in jail, hecouldbe a little nicer to us. Well, at least to Jorge and Phoenix. We follow him, and when he stops in front of a rather small, bright purple Prius, Jorge and Phoenix groan.

“Not the clown car,” Jorge grumbles.

“How are we supposed to fit in that?” Phoenix points.

Lex, who looks thoroughly unimpressed, places his hands on his hips. “Stop being dramatic. It’s a car, just like every other one.”

Phoenix is an inch or so taller than me, and even I am skeptical. Not wanting to create more of a fuss, I go to open the back door so my brother can sit up front, and he hisses. Lex ignores us and gets in the driver's seat, starting the engine.

“Jorge, sit up front,” Phoenix whisper-yells.

“I’m not sitting next to him. You do it.” He goes to open the back door, but Phoenix growls.

“Youowe me.”

I look between the two of them. “What’s the big deal?”

“I’m not doing it,” Jorge declares, while Phoenix whines, “He’s mean.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ll sit up front.”

Jorge whimpers. “No. It’s not worth it.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes!”

Phoenix throws out his fist. “Rock, paper, scissors.”

“Fine.”

I watch them play best out of three; Jorge loses and pouts. “This sucks,” he complains and begrudgingly opens the front passenger door.

Phoenix and I squeeze into the back, and once we are all loaded, Lex says, “I almost left your asses.”

Jorge

Turbo Lover

I’m sick to my stomach, and no, it isn’t because I’m sitting next to Lex.

What if Morganactuallypresses charges against us? I didn’t mean to lose my shit like that, but I saw his hand on Oli, and I flipped the fuck out. I could only picture every other time Morgan touched him, and no one was there. No one was there tosavehim. So, I did the only thing I could do. I kicked his fucking ass. I’m not necessarily a violent guy, so I’m worried my impulsiveness might have cost Oli a chance at justice.

If I’ve ruined it for him, I’ll never forgive myself, even if seeing Morgan bleed brings me immense satisfaction.Worth it, the little voice whispers, but I shake it away. It’s only worth it if we get his ass permanently landed in prison. I’m talkingfederal. I want him watched round the clock—to be labeled for what he is and every other inmate to know.

Sick fuck.

Rubbing my unsettled stomach, I try to ignore the overpowering lavender scent in Lex’s car. I mean, it’spotent.Flicking my eyes to the multiple air fresheners hanging from hisrearview mirror, I read the labels. Yup. All lavender. Lex watches me out of the corner of his eye, stiffening slightly. I know I should be kissing his ass right now. After all, he did wake up at 6 am to rescue us, but he’sso mean.Always pissy and moody. It’s hard to want to be nice to the dude.

He’s got nice pajamas, though. I’ll give him that. They look comfy as hell.

“Can we crack a window?” Phoenix begs as he desperately presses the button on his door.

Lex lifts his chin. “No. I don’t like the windows down.”

“It smells like a damn spa in here!”

“I think it smells good,” Oli says gently.

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