“That was nothing. I should pay my way.”
“Your money’s no good today.” He pulled out his wallet. Earlene slid in behind the cash register. “Thanks for coming by boys. Hope everything was tasty.”
“Sure was,” Rock gave her some cash and as we turned to leave he snatched a handful of pinwheel mints from a bowl by the front door. I pushed out into the blistering heat and held the door for him and Maisy. Handing me a mint, he started across the parking lot, Maisy and me trailing after him.
Three men were coming into Earl’s just as we were leaving. One of them turned to Rock with a sneer.
Aw, what now?
“Well, if it isn’t the fag prince of the Rocking C.”
“Fuck off, Lefty.” Rock tried to pass him.
“The ‘C’ stands for ‘cocksucker’ these days, don’t it?” One of the other dudes grinned.
Piece of shit.
I looked to Rock to see how he wanted to play things. At the same time, sweat started beading up on my skin. The last time this happened, I’d gone to a real dark place.
Aaaand my life spins out of control.
Again.
“The ‘C’ stands for ‘Chandler.’” I stepped beside Rock, my weight evenly balanced and ready to take a punch, just like ’Nando taught me. Nobody with half a brain cell swings first. “Istand for cocksuckers.”
“Goddamn. Would you look at that?” Lefty sneered. “The retard has a boyfriend.”
Rock loomed over him. I didn’t know how the dude had the nerve to get in Rock’s face at all. Anyone could see. If Rock went off, he’d wipe the floor with Wheeler.
I felt like I swallowed an ice cube.
I was going back to prison if I couldn’t get this under control.
“Say that again.” Rock was livid.
“Rock—” I tugged his arm to get his attention. “We’re done here. Let’s go.”
Rock shook off my hand when another one of Lefty’s pals stepped up.
“Who’s your little friend?” the third guy sneered.
This shit was going to catch fire. I could already hear the soul-murdering boom of automated doors locking me away for good.
’Nando told me if I ended up back inside I wouldn’t have his protection.
Maybe he meant that and maybe he didn’t, but I never wanted to find out. Not this way. Not because Lefty fucking Wheeler couldn’t figure out why he wanted to push Rock down so badly.
The dude who’d stepped up to me mad-dogged us, making with the psycho eyes.Loser.
They weren’t a physical threat. But moisture gathered on my forehead and upper lip. A bead of sweat trickled down between my shoulder blades.
I waited, ready to stand with Rock if things turned ugly, but I was a toothless bear on a short leash. I didn’t want to go back in the goddamn cage.
I couldn’t. Icouldn’t. Even for Rock. I wouldn’t go back.
“Skyler?” Maisy was barking when Rock’s arms wrapped around me. “Hey. Talk to me. Are you okay?”
“Fuck.” The guy who’d pushed up on me backed off with a laugh. “They’re both retards.”
