Page 59 of Make Me Scream
“Fuck off.”
,is immediate. My smile is so wide, my cheeks ache. But then, reality creeps back in.
Me:
Seriously… how did she take it? …
I worry my bottom lip as Peris types. Knowing I disappointed Elise makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Baby boy:
She’s fucking pissed. I’m grounded for the rest of my life?
Me:
Is that a question?
Baby boy:
I guess. I don’t even know. There was a lot of yelling.
I don’t think I’ve seen Ma so mad.
Or so hurt.
I feel like shit.
It’s his third and fourth texts sent a few seconds later that has me hitting the video call button. It rings for a few moments, and they drag out, causing my heart to thump loudly in my ears.
“Hey.” It’s dark in his room. I can barely make out his face.
“I’m surprised you still have your phone,” I tell him, squinting my eyes.
He laughs dryly. “Yeah, me too, I guess.” He reaches back from where he lies on his bed and grips the back of his neck. His bicep bulges in the frame, and I fuckingdrool.
“Is it bad timing to ask for phone sex?” I blurt.
Peris chokes on nothing. He shoots up in bed, hacking and smacking his chest. I watch in amusement as the phone shakes as he gains control of his breathing. “Jesus fucking Christ, runt.”
“What?” I ask, blinking innocently, even as my face flames.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he says bluntly, and that sobers me instantly.
If he only knew.
CHAPTER 20
PERIS
“Please—andI mean this with every bone in my body—tell me I did not just see what IthinkI just saw.”
I freeze the moment the door latches shut behind me.
“Uh.”
“Peris Oliver Baxter.”
“Shit, not the full name,” I groan, dropping my head back. It hits the door with a dull thud.
