Page 88 of Run For Me
“It doesn’t work like that,” I snap, hating myself for showing this side of me to her.
“It does, if you want it to.”
“No, Sailor. Not everyone is nice like you. There are cruel people out there. People who will do anything to hurt people, and that’s exactly who Mindy is.”
The moment her name comes out of my mouth, I regret it. Not because I don’t want Sailor to know who she is, but because if she tries looking for her, she might find me. Our game is done. Hopefully she’s smart enough to think of that before she does it—if she does it at all.
“But if it’s not true—”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s true,” I say with a bitter laugh. “It had you questioning me. You wanted to know my name. It’s why you’ve been distant, isn’t it? You assumed she was telling the truth. You thought I lied to you. She planted the seed in your pretty little head, and now it will always be there. You will always question me.”
“I won’t.”
“You will, Sailor. I know how this shit works. Stop being so naïve.”
“I-I… I just…”
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m sorry,” I say more gently. “That was mean, and I shouldn’t have said it. Look, let me go handle this situation, and let me come by after?”
“Since when do you ask?” she says, but it isn’t in her normal flirty tone.
“Since I need to know that we’re okay.”
She sighs heavily. “We’re okay.”
“Then I’ll be there in a little while.”
“I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
“Do not leave the door unlocked,” I say sternly. “You know I’ll get in anyway.”
I bang on Mindy’s door so hard I’m surprised my fist doesn’t go through it.
She lives in an apartment on the most expensive side of town, courtesy of her moneybags father. It was a gift for her eighteenth birthday, one that will last as long as she keeps kissing his ass, I guess. It has a private entrance and is on the first floor. Hard to get around here.
“Open the fucking door!” I shout, banging more.
That’s when the neighbor’s porch light comes on and the door opens.
“What the fuck, Jaxon?” Mindy hisses, hiding halfway behind the door.
I shove it hard, forcing it open all the way. She jumps out of the way, and it bounces against the wall. My hand is on her throat before it slams shut.
“Talk to Sailor again, and I’ll cut your whore tongue from your mouth,” I growl, pushing her against the wall.
This crazy bitch has the audacity to smile at me, even though she can’t breathe.
“You think I’m joking, Mindy, but I am so fucking serious it’s not even funny.”
I step back, releasing her throat, and she sucks in air. Red marks spread across her skin and I’m not sorry for it. She does a good job pretending she’s fine, though. Also fucking pretending.
“This is your last warning,” I say before leaving.
A few neighbors are outside now, all staring with concerned looks.
“Whore’s free tonight, if anyone wants a turn!” I shout as I storm toward my car. I hear gasps before I shut my door, then peel out and drive to the edge of town, to Sailor.
If anything will calm me down, it’s her.
