Page 42 of Psycho

“Lainey? What the hell are you doing here? You can’t be here. You need to get the fuck out.”

“What?”

He stood up so suddenly I jumped.

“Get the fuck out! Get out!”

“What are you talking about? Who did that to your hand? To your face?”

“Please, just leave. Oh, fuck. I’m sorry for last night, okay? But you have to leave. And tell him I didn’t ask you to be here.”

Fear entered my heart. “Who? Who do I tell?”

He shook his head and moved to push me out of his room when he pulled up short.

It was as if he was afraid to touch me.

“Get out, Lainey! Just leave! Leave!”

I didn’t do anything for a moment.

I could only stare at him, wondering who it was that he was so scared of—and that I obviously should be as well.

“Leave!” he screamed.

I flinched, and after a moment of hesitation, I woodenly walked out of the house.

8

MICAH

Two days passed by.

Time was up, and I knew the fucker Ozzy hadn’t been able to come up with the funds… or perhaps he had it all along, but he wasn’t going to just pay us back.

I wasn’t pissed.

I was banking on him doing just that.

I came by when I was sure Lainey was already in school. Things would be easier if Italkedto the fucker alone first.

I drove to the trailer in time to see him sneaking out the back.

Fucking hell.

And I had been in a good mood that morning. The fucker just ruined any generosity I might have shown him. I quickly hopped off my bike and gave chase. He heard me, looked around in panic as if he thought someone would be around to help him, and kept running.

He was a fast little fucker, too. Unfortunately for him, I was faster.

I tackled him to the ground, reveling in his grunt in pain as he took on the brunt of my weight.

I moved off him and grabbed a fistful of his hair, pulling on it until he was looking at me. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” I asked.

“Please, I’m sorry.”

“No. You’re not,” I said. “But you will be.”

I dragged him up to his feet and pushed him toward his trailer.

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