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My phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s a message from E, with a picture ofher. He captioned it “Millie’s new waitress”. So that’s where she was off to all dressed up. She’s a trip. What seventeen-year-old spends her summer working?
She’s so beautiful; I can’t stop staring at her picture. And she’s smiling. She doesn’t do that enough. I definitely need to make sure I put a smile on her face every chance I get. The phone vibrates again with another message from E.
E: You’re not in the bathroom with the lotion, are you? Cause that would be sick, bro.
Motherfucker. Hewouldmake fun of me.
G: No, pervert. But thanks for the info.
E: She’s a pretty little thing. Maybe I should get her number and call her in a few months.
I know he’s teasing, but for some reason, my possessive streak kicks in. If anyone’s calling her, it will beme. I can’t say that to E, though.
G: Yeah. You can have her after I’m done with her.
E: Fuck you! I don’t want your leftovers!
G: Wouldn’t be the first time!
E: What do you mean?! You’re lucky I gotta work, but we’re finishing this convo later.
G: Ha! You’ll be surprised to know how many sloppy seconds you’ve had, bro. It’ll kill your self-esteem. Just let it go.
E: You better sleep with one eye open. LATER
I chuckle as I make my way back to my room. I’m just fucking with him, but it will be good to watch him squirm. We’re close, but we don’t share women other than the Hellhounds. They’re free game; anyone can get on those rides.
After calling Nita and letting her know I’ve taken care of the problem, I climb back into bed. I navigate back to Raven’s picture and stare at her. What am I even doing with her? She seems like a nice girl – bratty, with a smart mouth, but nice nonetheless. Definitely not the type to be messing with a guy like me. I’m not the relationship type, and she seems like the kind of girl who’d want that. I should stay away from her. I’m just going to fuck shit up. She deserves someone who’s like her – sweet and innocent. Not a man who killed someone last night.
***Raven***
I thought Lonnie would still be passed out when I got home, but I find her sitting on the couch watching anovela. I kick off my heels and drop down next to her, a huge smile on my face.
“I got the job!”
“Good. You can start helping out with the bills around here.”
Bitch.
“You really know how to kill a mood.”
She finally tears her eyes away from the TV and turns her head toward me.
“You don’t like it, move out.”
Like I asked to come to Stony View, a.k.a. Small Town, Georgia. If it was up to me, I would have stayed in Miami. A few measly months and, by law, I have to have a guardian. I wish I had other family. I definitely would not have chosen Lonnie, but she’s the only family I have left. She came down after Daddy died and stayed just long enough for my last class and to tie up some legal issues, then we shipped out. I didn’t even get to go to prom or graduation. I had to leave my life behind; all my plans, my friends. I miss Toni the most. We’ve been best friends since forever and I can’t stand being so far away from her. I hate that I have to be here, but until I turn eighteen, there’s nothing I can do.
“You think I don’t know what’s in those papers you signed? Dad’s lawyer may be handling everything, but I know you’re getting a stipend for me.”
“So?”
“So I shouldn’t have to pay you anything.”
“Like I said, you don’t like it, move out.”
“Don’t worry. As soon as Ilegallycan, I will. Then everything Dad left me comes directly to me. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
She seethes, narrowing her eyes at me, but I stand my ground. She doesn’t scare me.
