Page 24 of No More Secrets

“Epic. You should have been there,” he says drowsily.

She would have been if Moonstar didn’t freak her out or if Finn would get his ass here and pick her up. “I wish I could have seen you play.”

“You will, babe. Hey, I’m tired. Can we talk later?”

“Um... okay,” she says, disappointed he’s hustling her off the phone again and liking herself a little less that she puts up with it. But she can’t help it. She loves him, and up to this point he has been good to her. He kept her company many nights during their video chats listening to her as she vented about her mom and Ellis. “Wait... beforeyou go.” She pulls the hoodie string. “Did you make any money last night? Think you can spare some and ask Beck to drive you here? I’ll pay you back when I find a job. I want to get out of here. I miss you.”

“Mmm, miss you, too.”

“Then come get me. Please, Finn,” she begs, desperate and on the verge of tears.

“Shit, Shiloh. Have you seen the price of gas? It’s over six fucking bucks a gallon. I owe people money, people who’ll make my life hell if I don’t pay up. You understand that, don’t you?”

She’s starting to understand that Finn might not be as into her as he led her to believe. If he loved her, he’d go out of his way to come get her, wouldn’t he? She doesn’t have much experience with guys when it comes to love. Only what she’s read about in books and seen in movies.

“This place is creeping me out,” she gives in, confessing her fear. “I’m sleeping in a car.”

“You’re lucky you’ve got one.”

His retort is a backward shove into a cement wall. “It doesn’t work. God, Finn!” She wants to stick a fork in his face. Doesn’t he realize how dire her situation is? But he’s all she’s got, the only option she has if she wants a place to live in California. She forces down her tears. Teeth gritted, afraid of the truth, but needing to ask anyway, she says, “Do you want me there or not?” If he doesn’t, she needs to stop wasting time and find another option.

“You know it. I’ve made space in my closet, cleared out some drawers. It’s all yours, baby.” He pauses. “Listen, I’m sorry I snapped. I’m tired and grouchy. It’s not your fault you’re stuck there. I just wish I could be of more help.” He pauses again. “I’ll ask around for a ride, see what I can do, but... Can’t you ask someone for money?”

She glances over her shoulder at the boy behind her. She doesn’t know what it says about her, but she’s always found it easier to steal than ask, even with the guilt. Asking draws attention.

But if Finn asks around for a ride like he says he will, she should pull her weight on this end.

“I’ll try,” she concedes.

“Excellent. Call me tonight and let me know how it goes,” he says on a yawn. “Gotta go. I’m beat.” He hangs up.

“Done?” the guy asks as soon as Finn ends the call.

She nods. “Thanks for the phone.” She exchanges it for her backpack.

“I’m Theo.”

“Shiloh,” she mutters.

He tilts his head to the side and squints at her. “You okay?”

She shrugs, too ashamed to come up with an answer.

“Want something to eat?”

She struggles to meet his eyes. “Do you, uh... Do you have any cash?”

“For what?” His expression turns wary.

“Bus ticket to LA.”

“How much?”

“Twenty.” An easy amount to steal, but Shiloh hasn’t been so fortunate since what she had was stolen.

Theo checks his pockets. He pulls out a crumpled one. “Will this help?”

Anything will. She takes the dollar while looking at the ground, reluctant to let him see she’s disappointed that’s all he has. “Thanks,” she mumbles, disgusted she’s begging for cash like the homeless she’s seen holding cardboard signs. Maybe that’s another reason she’s been reluctant to ask. Subconsciously she doesn’t want to put herself in the same category as them. She technically has a home. Just not one she wants to live in.

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