Page 24 of Marking Mia

“Calm down,” Jace replies, his face reddening. “I care about her just as much as you do. Maybe even more.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry for exploding like that,” I say, letting out a long breath. My heart races a mile a minute, and all I can think about is Mia's suffering.

“We all want what’s best for her,” Finn says quietly, observing the exchange from his chair. “The biggest threat to her is her own boyfriend. Justin.”

Mia

After my shift at work, I’m standing in front of the ATM, unable to believe what I’m seeing. This can’t be real. There must be some mistake.

But no, it’s right there on the ATM’s screen.

My account, which had held all of twelve dollars this morning, now contains over ten thousand dollars.

This is a mistake. It's some kind of banking fluke. I know they will catch it eventually, but in the meantime, this mightjust be the miracle I needed. I withdraw forty dollars for Justin. This will keep him placated and me safe. It won’t be too hard to pay that back when the funds are repaid.

I shiver against the cold.

The wind is brutal tonight, and I still have three blocks to walk from the ATM to home. I’ll figure out this account thing tomorrow when the bank is open. Still, as I walk home, I can’t help but wonder about the mistake.

It seems like a glaring error to deposit ten thousand into an almost overdrawn account. A nice bank teller will explain it to me tomorrow, I’m sure. But the timing seems so odd.

These thoughts run through my mind as I finish the walk home and finally enter the apartment building. The front door creaks as I slip inside, and the stench of stale cigars hits me like a brick to the face.

I hate that my pantry is empty because all my money goes to paying for an apartment I can’t stand. It’s been three years here, and I still haven’t gotten used to the sketchy neighbors and awful odors.

Last week, my bedroom doorknob came off in my hand.

For a moment, I let myself fantasize about getting out, finding a place that isn’t so damn depressing. Maybe not taking Justin with me.

I would be alone, but I would be free. Perhaps even happier. I banish the fantasy as I slip into my apartment.

Justin is already on the couch, once again playing one of his never-ending video games. His headset is next to him, so at least I won’t have to hear him trash-talking his opponents.

“You’re home late,” Justin says as a greeting. Okay, this is much worse. Maybe I’d prefer it if he had his headset on.

I don’t rise to the bait. He wants a fight, but I’m not giving him one. “I have your money.”

“Yeah?” he says, his face brightening as he looks at me.

I dig into my coat pocket and pull out the two twenties.Sighing, I press the bills into his eager palm. The moment the bills leave my hand, I breathe a sigh of relief. This will keep Justin appeased for at least a few days until I can figure something out.

Justin’s eyes narrow as his hand closes around the money. “What are you hiding?”

It’s hard, but I manage to fight down the rush of panic, keeping my voice even. “What do you mean?”

“I usually have to pry money out of you, and you mope about it for a good few days. But tonight, you seem too chill about it. What gives?”

“Justin, you’re being paranoid.”

I don’t want to tell him about the money. It doesn’t feel like a good idea at all. Not only would he burn through the money, but he would accuse me of lying about its mysterious origins. For now, it feels safer to keep this to myself.

The bank will probably take it back tomorrow, anyway.

For a moment, I think Justin is going to press further. He doesn’t look satisfied with my answer. But then he picks up his controller again and returns his attention to the TV.

“You better not be lying to me, Mia. I don’t like liars.”

nine

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