Page 65 of Catcher's Lock
“There’s no fucking way I’m getting back in that truck with you,” he spits back without stopping.
“It’s your truck.”
“It’s Big Top’s truck, Gem.Yourfamily. You take it back. I’ll find another ride.”
“I can’t show up without you.” Jesus, I’m not even supposed to be here. My parents think I’m still in rehab. “They’ll fucking crucify me.”
“I don’t give a shit. Go home, then. Go back to rehab. Go to fucking hell, for all I care.”
I’m already in hell. I fucking live here.
Butfine.
Let him fucking wander around in the dark. He’ll probably call my mom the minute I’m out of sight, and they can bitch together about what a fuckup I am.
I let him go.
I follow the glow of the headlights back to the truck and climb into the cab.
And I drive away.
Part 2
Locking In
22
Practice
Gemiah
Age 24 (Now)
“Hi, cutie. Welcome home.” The guy in Josha’s kitchen turns from rummaging in a cupboard with a dimpled smile, and I halt in my tracks. This is not a tweaked-out twink in an anonymous sex club. This guy is all compact muscle and porcelain skin in too-short cut-off joggers and a loose tank top. With the blue eyes and chocolate curls, he looks like a youngerme. Before the mileage and the tats and the prison haircut.
This guy is athreat.
And he’s acting like heliveshere.
“Hi, Ellis,” Josha says, moving to drop his backpack on the breakfast table as I blurt:
“You have aboyfriend?”
He shakes his head, but my relief is cut short whenEllispipes up.
“We haven’t really put a label on it yet.” He winks at Josha,flashing that goddamn dimple again.
This is not happening.
“Ellis is one of our acts in the show this year,” Josha says, like that explains why the guy isin his house, all chirpy and tousled, looking like he just rolled out of bed.
“I’m the Chinese pole act.”
“Really? Pole.” I shoot Josha a flat, disbelieving look. At least his type hasn’t changed, although I’m guessing Gem 2.0 comes without the mommy issues and crippling addiction. Josha leans against the table, crossing his arms and arching an amused brow.
He doesn’t have to look so fucking pleased with himself.
“Are you going to introduce me to your scary hunk, or are you keeping him all to yourself?” Ellis sidles over to the table, giving me an appreciative once-over. I bare my teeth in response.
