Page 42 of Make Me Scream
“Love you, Ma. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Whatcha doing?”I drawl as Abel opens the bathroom door.
“Jesus!” he screeches, rearing back. He throws his hands up to his chest and grips his shirt tightly. “What the hell are youdoing?” he hisses.
“Asking you a question,” I drawl.
“Well, I canhearthat,” he sasses back.
“So?”
“I was using the bathroom?” he says, gesturing to the toilet behind him, waggling a brow. “Clearly.”
“It smells like smoke in here. And the fan is on,” I deadpan.
Abel stiffens. “You’re imagining things.”
I inhale deeply. “Oh, am I?” I crowd him, walking him backward, back into the bathroom with each small step forward I make until I’m able to close the bathroom door behind us. I wrinkle my nose at the smell that assaults my senses.
“What the fuck is that?” I ask, face twisted in disgust.
“Chemicals,” he mutters.
“What kind of chemicals?”
“The kinds that probably shouldn’t be fucking burnt.”
“Burnt?” I parrot, glancing down around him to the counter, where I notice the faintest traces of ash clinging to the porcelain. I swipe my fingers through it and watch it cling to my skin like the softest satin.
“Well, it’s easy to see you didn’t burn your skin this time,” I say nonchalantly.
“Oh, gee, thanks,” Abel drawls sarcastically, and I shoot him a smirk as I lift my finger in front of his face and drag it down his cheek.
“So, what did you burn, runt?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
He shakes his head.
“Liar.”
“Like I said,” he bites out.
“Hmm. I don’t like liars.”
“Most people don’t.” His jaw works a million miles a minute as he grinds his teeth.
“But you do.”
“Yeah. It’s real,” is all he says.
I lean in until my lips brush Abel’s ear. “You know what’s more real than lying, puppy? The truth… That’s some scary shit right there.” He shivers, and I take my shot. “What did you burn?”
“Her.”
