Page 43 of Property of Camo

I start walking again, and I see a crowd gathered around the front of my gym. Picking up my pace, I move closer, and people move when they see it is me who is pushing through.

“What the hell?” I say in disbelief.

Across the front of the two large windows are the words ‘Whore’ and ‘Trash’ in bright red spray pain.

Inching closer, I feel someone touch my arm.

“I have phoned 911, they are sending a car. Also, Bessy from across the street is looking at her security cameras to see if they picked up who did this,” says Barny, who owns the general store a few shops down.

“Thank you.” I stare at the awful nasty words, like they are going to jump out at me and bite my face off.

Gripping the strap of my bag tighter, I wait for the police. I look over the rest of the building and see no other damage.

“Who could have done such a thing?” I hear one of the ladies who runs the library mutter.

“She is such a sweet girl,” someone else mutters.

I open my phone and pull up the group chat that I have with my people.

Me: Gym has been vandalized. Waiting for police now.

Rocky: On my way.

Clark: Me too. Five minutes out.

Eva: I am here.

I don’t realize how much time has passed until Eva rushes to me, calling my name. Her face is white with fear, and then it hits me. The words sprayed on the windows are what she was called as a child and teenage girl. One of her foster brothers was an evil cunt who used to call her trash as he raped her.

“Come here.” I pull her to me, holding her tightly.

“Can it be him?” she murmurs, and I hear the tremor in her voice.

Kissing the side of her head, I reassure her, “No, honey, that fucker is still locked up. I have Tate keeping an eye on him for me.” She looks at me with wide eyes.

“You do?”

“Of course I do. He will not take my sister from me, Eva May.”

Sirens fill the air, and Eva tenses up. I frown at her, but say nothing.

We both turn to watch as Tate and two other officers climb from their patrol cars. I have to admit that Tate does look good in his uniform. It is just a shame that he does nothing for me and my best friend is in love with him and him her.

“Baby,” Tate murmurs, stepping closer to us.

I arch a brow and look at my friend, who shakes her head.

“No” is all Tate says, making us both look at him.

“No what?” Eva says quietly.

“Do not hide shit from her.” Tate places his hands on his slim hips. “We will deal with this after I am done with the official shit that I was called here for.”

I move my mouth closer to my best friend. “We are so fucking talking about this later.”

Eva huffs.

“Did anyone see anything?” Tate asks me.

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