Page 17 of Mayhem

My upper thigh stings at the thought. My dirty secret, the answer to her question.

“I think it depends on the pain. Sometimes pain is something you can control, so it brings a sense of comfort and peace. At this point, I don’t know if I would know what to do with a mundane peaceful life.”

“That’s sad. I wish you knew the happiness I once knew. I think everyone deserves a slice of happiness in life, even for a brief time.”

I think back to my childhood. Was there ever a time I was truly happy?

“Maybe one day.” I clear my throat, changing the subject. “So which one of these old ass movies are we going to watch?”

She smiles. “I am quite fond ofDirty Dancing, but whatever you want.”

“Dirty Dancingit is.” I pluck the movie out of the stack and hand it to her.

“Patrick Swayze is such a hunk in this one.”

I laugh. “Oh, how my life has changed. Let’s see this hunk of yours.”

We settle in as the movie starts.

I glance over at Hailee with a small smile on my face. For once, I don’t feel so alone.

Five

“You can’t keep runningfrom us,” Nate says from behind, making me jump.

“What the fuck, Nate,” I growl as I turn, facing him.

“Did I scare you?” He has a smile on his face.

“Asshole. I’m not running from you. I just have no desire to talk to either of you. Can you leave me alone now?”

“No can do. Bossman wants to have a chat with you. Come on.” He tries to herd me toward where Chase has been parked for the last week.

“No, thank you. I’m going home,” I tell him as I duck under his arm.

“Fine, but eventually he will get his way. He always does.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

I get on the bus and take a seat next to Hailee.

“What was that about?”

“Nothing.”

She doesn’t say anything else, and neither do I.

When we get to our stop, I get off the bus, waiting for Hailee before we start walking.

The hair on the back of my neck stands as the bus pulls away.

I glance over my shoulder and see a car parked across from the bus stop, pointed in our direction. I squint my eyes to see if anyone’s in the car, but the windows are tinted.

I notice smoke billow out from the cracked driver’s window, making goose bumps rise on my arms.

I’m being watched.

As we turn into the trailer park, the car moves slowly our way.

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