Page 103 of Maddox
“Yeah.”
I don’t recognize him, which is a good sign because I’m hoping this doesn’t somehow get back to Peter.
Although, for all I know, Peter might have the whole police force keeping an eye on me.
The officer follows me into the diner, and I fill a coffee for him and watch him leave.
The entire time my mind is racing and as soon as he’s gone and the restaurant is empty, I grab my bag from the back.
“Everything okay, Delaney?” Jack asks.
“It’s fine. I’m not feeling well,” I mumble before exiting into the evening air.
It’s a shitty move, but I didn’t close out my till and now Jack has to lock up on his own.
However, at this point, I think it’s probably safer for him if I’m not there. The Aces might be waiting for another opportunity that I don’t plan for them to have.
Normally I’d take the straightest path home, but I can’t guarantee that I’m not being followed, so I walk around theblock and back toward the school before backtracking through the neighborhood.
Joey doesn’t live in the greatest of areas which means I have to constantly watch my back. I shouldn’t be wandering these streets alone at night but that’s the only time Jon has shifts for me at the diner.
Between fighting with Maddox and avoiding the fucking reality that my life just got ten times more complicated, I’m exhausted.
Why did Maddox ask about Joey a few weeks ago? Did my big mouth get me in trouble with the Aces?
Did they really kill a woman?
Part of me wants to believe it’s another lie given to scare me into believing Joey and staying away from the Saints.
However, I don’t truly know Joey any more than I know the Saints. I’m caught between too many fucking characters, and I don’t know who to believe.
The long walk clears my head and I’m in a better, if slightly down place when I arrive.
It’s only once I’m inside that I realize how dark it is. With the blackout curtains nailed to the walls, the only natural light comes from the bedroom where I tore down one of the sheets to avoid living like a vampire.
“Joey?” I ask, flipping on the light.
He’s not in his usual spot on the couch and with a frown, I peek down the hall.
It’s too damn quiet. Where is he?
Pushing the door to the bathroom open, I confirm it’s empty before stopping at the bedroom.
What if he’s dead? I mean, I’ve thought about it a lot since I showed up here without notice all those months ago.
The man doesn’t even eat. How does he survive on booze alone?
I guess I should be worried about him but I’m more worried about my fate.
If he is dead, will I have to go back to Peter and Mom’s? No. No fucking way.
With a shiver, I slowly push the door open, visions of his dead bloated body dancing over my vision.
When my unmade bed comes into view with the covers at the end where I left them, I bend over and choke back a laugh.
It’s fine. Don’t be so melodramatic except…wait.
No, oh no. He didn’t!
