Chapter 16

The trip tospy on Molly wore me out. I spend the next week planning, plotting, and sleeping. And wallowing. Lots of wallowing.

I swear my bones actually throb. Maybe I should’ve risked it and said yes to the Vicodin prescription the doc offered.

Fuck that.I need to rest and not take long motorcycle rides to stalk my girlfriend who doesn’t even want to talk to me.

Still worth it. Seeing her in my hoodie gave me hope. The setback in my recovery is a small price to pay.

But lounging around sucks. I feel like a lazy little pansy.

My mind’s racing too fast to fall asleep. I’m sort of hovering somewhere in between.

From the living room, there’s a click and scrape. Someone opening my front door?

“Griff!” Remy calls out.

I pull the covers over my head.

The floor creaks as he makes his way through my apartment.

“It’s Friday afternoon, what are you doing in bed?” My blanket is rudely ripped away from my body.

“This is getting old,” I grumble, yanking the blanket back into place.

“Come on, let’s go to Zips.” He drops onto the edge of the bed and tugs on the blanket again. “Eraser installed these high-flow fuel injectors in Ella’s ride. He wants to test it out.”

“So, run it. You don’t need me.” Who knew there’d come a day when I wouldn’t give a fuck about car upgrades.

“Griff.” His patient dad tone makes an annoying appearance. “You need to get out.”

“I’m not supposed to be seen in public, remember?” I crack open one eye. “I went to the doctor the other day. Visited your house.” Stalked your sister all over campus. “What more do you want from me?”

“I want you to get your ass out of bed and come hang with your friends for a few hours.”

“You mean, everyone who thinks I’m a cheating asshole? No thanks.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters. “No one thinks that.”

“Anymore,” I correct and then offer my next excuse. “My face still looks like a damn Voodoo doll’s.”

“Well, it’s the costume night I told you about. Wear a fucking mask.”

Now he has my attention. I throw off the blanket and ease myself into a sitting position.

“Ohhh, does something about that interest you?” His wide, mocking eyes only make his face more punchable.

I glare at him.

“Molly will be there,” he confirms.

I tentatively touch my face. At least it hurts less.

“Except for your eye, most of the bruising has faded.” Remy sighs. “It’ll be dark enough. She might not notice.”

“Get out of my way.” I tug on the blanket he’s sitting on, trapping me in the bed.

“Why?” he asks with mocking slowness. “Where are you going?”

“To take a shower. I smell like despair and self-pity.”

“Got that right.” He wrinkles his nose and stands, backing away.

As soon as I put weight on my knee, it buckles. I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. “She might not notice my face, but this limp is obvious as fuck.”

“Nah, it gives you a cool gangster walk.”

I stop and glare at him. “You ever say that again, I’m gonna stab you.”

“Oooo.” He holds up his hands and shakes them like he’s warding off a ghost. “Scary gangster threats. I’m shaking in my boots.”

“You should be shaking. I’m gonna kick your ass one day soon.”

“Bro, a stiff breeze could knock you down right now.”

“Not for long,” I swear.

* * *

As eager asI am to get to Zips, I take my time going down the steps from my apartment a few hours later. Remy left to check in at the bar but swore he’d be at Zips before I get there.

Outside, the crisp air bites my skin and I button my flannel jacket. I slide into the front seat of my car and slam the door. The steering wheel’s icy cold. I pull a pair of black gloves from my pockets and slip them on.

It seems to take forever to warm the engine. I pat the dash, trying to encourage Black Beauty. “I dunno, girl. If you keep this up, I might have to think about buying something newer with ass-warming seats this winter.”

I swore I wouldn’t blow my winnings on stupid shit. But it’s not like I’m considering a Lamborghini.

Driving the familiar back roads is comforting after being away for so long. Once I finally have a chance to talk to Molly and explain things, I’ll have her sitting next to me on the way home.

Remy wasn’t kidding about tonight being a big event. The worn, bumpy parking lot is full of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Behind the bleachers, a large section is marked with short, orange traffic cones. I guide my car to a spot next to Eraser’s truck.

The revving of engines and stink of burning rubber fill the air. I close my eyes and inhale. Smells like home.

Damn, it’s good to be back.

I’d rather chew glass than admit it to Remy, but I’m glad he lured me here tonight.

Molly.I slide my gaze over the parking lot, but Remy never told me what kind of car he ended up buying her. I doubt it was something she’d be able to race here.

“Holy shit, is that the shy, savage Stonewall making an appearance?” someone shouts.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, squinting into the darkness behind the bleachers.

Vapor emerges holding a white sweater in his hand and wearing a smirk on his face.

“Why you creeping around back there?” I ask.

He holds up the sweater. “Juliet dropped this from above.”

“You’re lucky it didn’t land in something disgusting.”

“Indeed.” He squints and leans in closer. “Your face looks like a peach that got thrown down the stairs.” His assessing stare slides to my forehead. “So, an improvement from when you got home.”

“Thanks. Very helpful.” I glance toward the track. “Is Remy here yet?”

His gaze slides sideways, and he rubs his hand over the back of his neck. “Yeah,” he answers slowly. “Saw him a few minutes ago.”

“Was Molly with him?”

“Uhhh, no.” He waves his hand in the general direction of the track. “She’s…around, though. Ran a few laps with Ella earlier.”

“How’d the new intake do?”

He widens his eyes with surprise. “Okay, I guess. She won. Then again?—”

“She always wins,” I finish for him.

“Right.” He holds up the sweater. “I gotta get this back to Juliet.”

“Yeah, I’ll catch you later.” I love Vapor, but he’s not who I’m here to see.

Tonight, Molly’s on my turf. Zips. A place we’ve spent a lot of time together. I rub my palms against my jeans. Find Molly. That’s my only objective. Talk to her. Apologize. Grovel. Kiss her. Whatever I have to do until she understands I’d never betray her. There is no one else for me.

As I clear the corner of the bleachers and the whole track comes into view, I methodically scan the wide-open area.

Eraser’s over by the grill talking to Pax. He lifts his hand and waves frantically, then rushes away from the grill, coming toward me. Whatever. I’ll talk to him later. I turn toward the food shacks. If Molly already raced earlier, she’s probably ordering fried dough and a?—

My heart stops.

There’s my girl.

Her face is hidden behind what looks like a black leather bunny mask, but I’d know my Molly anywhere. Her long legs are covered in red and black striped tights. A black and red dress, tight up top with a short, loose skirt—her favorite style—flatters every inch of her. Tall, black leather boots lace up to her knees. I’m not sure what the costume is supposed to be but she’s sexy as hell.

And…is she here with another guy?

Who in the fuck is the tall, skinny dude in a wolf mask touching my girl? Pure rage at whoever he is shoots straight through me.

Hell fucking no.I did not go through three months of relentless abuse, isolation, and stupidity to lose my girl to someone else.

She thinks I cheated on her.

Correction. The whole fucking world thinks I cheated on her.

Remy might have finally come around and says he believes me. But he’s obviously done fuck all to convince Molly that I didn’t betray her.

“Bro, please put your murder eyes away.” Eraser’s low warning isn’t enough to make me tear my gaze away from Molly and the wolf I’m about to rip limb from limb.

“Fuck off,” I growl.

A fist slams into my good shoulder, knocking me to the side. I rip my gaze away from Molly and focus my rage on one of my best friends.

“Don’t.” Eraser holds up one hand. “I was there that night, motherfucker. I watched that girl get her heart ripped out. You don’t get to come home now and?—”

“I. Didn’t. Do. Anything,” I seethe. “I didn’t fuck Kiki.” Just saying that girl’s name fills me with a volatile combination of fury and shame.

He stares at me for a few seconds, then blows out a heavy breath. “I wanna believe you. But.” He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “I saw it in black-and-white.”

So, we’re finally having this conversation? About damn time. I don’t give a fuck what he thinks he saw. It never happened. How can my friends trust some slick editing and camera angles over my word?

“How long have you known me?” I demand.

“I love you no matter what, Griff.” He taps his fist against his chest. “But I also don’t want to see Molly get hurt any more than she already has. The Kiki shit was bad enough. But the way the show talked about Molly before that shitshow was downright evil. She didn’t deserve any of that. You brought that into her life.”

I hate that he’s right. “I didn’t know they’d use her that way.” I’m getting sick of listening to my own denials. I didn’t know. But I should have known better.

Nothing in life comes easy.

Everything has a price.

But losing Molly is more than I’m willing to pay.

“I know you didn’t,” Eraser finally concedes.

Remy approaches us from the right and stops next to me.

Eraser turns and nods. “You got him?”

“Got me?” I sneer. “The fuck you think I am? A rabid bear on the loose?”

“Yeah, kinda.” Eraser shrugs then shoots another questioning look at Remy. “I don’t need him getting into it with my cousin tonight. Not with all these people here. Pax will kill us all.”

“We’re good.” Remy clasps his hand over my good shoulder.

“You gonna shoot a tranquilizer dart in my ass next?” I shake off his hand.

“Do I need to?” Remy asks.

Apparently satisfied that I’m under control, Eraser nods at us and walks toward the grill. Probably to go warn Uncle Pax that I’m ready to stomp this place like Godzilla.

Wait a fucking minute.

Did he say…“She’s with Torch?” I search the area for Molly and the tall fucker she’d been with. But they’re gone.

I turn and get in Remy’s face. “You fucking kidding me? He’s at least ten goddamn years older than her.”

Remy sighs. Worst of all, he doesn’t deny it. “It’s complicated.”

“The fuck it is,” I growl.

“They’re just friends. He’s not…they’re not really dating.” The first note of hesitation seems to creep into Remy’s voice, then quickly vanishes. “He’s making sure she doesn’t date anyone else. That’s all.”

I stare at him, trying to figure out what the fuck that’s supposed to mean. “Is he aware of that?”

Remy stalls way too long for my sanity. “He’s aware.”

Fuck Torch’s feelings. What about Molly? “Does she know?”

Remy scowls. “Fuck no.”

Now I’m pissed for two reasons. “So, once again, you think fucking with your sister’s head is the right move? Are you for real?”

One corner of his mouth tilts to the side. “I thought you’d be happy.”

“That she doesn’t know she’s fake-dating Torch?” Did he lose his mind while I was away? “No, Remy, that doesn’t make me happy at all.”

“Look, we know Torch,” Remy says as if he still thinks he can talk me into believing this is a good thing. “And you weren’t here. Every time I turned around guys were coming onto her. And she doesn’t even realize it?—”

“How stupid do you think your sister is?”

“Not stupid. But about guys and their intentions…” He shrugs. “She’s a little naive.”

Molly will be furious if she finds out. Worse, she’ll be so hurt and embarrassed. What was Remy thinking?

“You couldn’t have warned me about this brilliant plan sooner?” I ask. “Maybe when you dragged me out of bed this afternoon?”

“I…” He hesitates, his gaze darting across the track toward where Molly’s standing talking to Hayden now. “I didn’t think he’d be here with her tonight. Otherwise…”

“You wouldn’t have told me to come.” Seems Remy lost control of the situation he thinks he orchestrated. “That’s just fucking great.”

Torch would’ve heard by now that I’m home. He had to at least suspect I’d show up. And he still chose to escort my girl to this party.

“I can’t deal with you right now.” I sweep my arm against his chest and walk past him.

“Don’t make a scene.” He grabs my arm and yanks me backward.

“I won’t.” Just going to claim my girl and kick Torch’s ass if he gets in my way.

“Here.” He sweeps a stupid Ghostface mask out of his back pocket and slaps it against my chest. “If you’re really not supposed to have people post your picture online, put that on.”

I stare at the black fabric hood and white rubber face with black eyes and nose, and the mouth stretched wide into a permanent creepy imitation of a scream. “Did you wear it?”

“Earlier.”

“Great, so it smells like dog breath?” I mutter as I slip it over my head.

“Woof, woof, dickhead.”

I can barely see out of the dark fabric covering the eyeholes. “This is bullshit.”

I’m not even complaining about the stupid mask. It’s everything. The show still controlling my every move. Molly still blocking my texts and calls. My friends thinking I’m an asshole. Losing to a jackass like Naptime—when I know I’m a better fighter. Molly “dating” Torch.

Whatever timeline I’ve been dropped into sucks. I want my life back.

Feeling like an asshole with only my red plaid coat, jeans, and boots to go with the mask, I navigate my way across the asphalt, heading for the racetrack and the food shacks behind it.

I recognize a few people but don’t bother saying hello. Molly. She’s all that matters. I need to get her someplace quiet so we can talk. I need her in my arms. I need to bury my face in her hair and inhale her. Taste her skin. Hear her voice.

Torch, that red-headed motherfucker, took off his wolf mask, leaving his stupid orange hair sticking up all over the place. He’s still standing way too close to my girl. Thank fuck he’s not actually touching her. I’d hate to ruin the party by ripping off his arm and beating him with it in front of everyone.

My boots crunch over a few loose stones, drawing Torch’s attention as I close in on them. The corners of his mouth turn down. This mask isn’t fooling anyone. I yank it off my head and glare at him as I approach.

Molly turns her head. Even with the black bunny mask blocking my view, our eyes lock. Her mouth falls open and she takes a step back.

No. No. No.

Is she afraid of me? Or just desperate to get away from me?

She glances at Torch, then again at me.

I stop in front of them and drill Torch with a fuck-off stare.

“Leave,” I snarl.

He flashes a cocky smirk. “Welcome home, Griff.”

“Now.”

Torch raises his eyebrows at Molly.

“It’s fine,” Molly whispers. “We’re fine.” She nods toward the racetrack where her friends are huddled together watching our showdown, silently asking him to leave.

Torch blows out a breath and squeezes her shoulder. “I’ll be close if you need me.”

“She won’t need you.” I force as much menace as possible into my voice.

He hesitates for another few seconds, then finally walks off toward the grill.

And I’m finally alone with my girl.

Every minute since I left, I’ve ached for Molly.

And now she’s right in front of me. Why does she still feel so far away?

She stares at the ground while I let my eyes roam over every inch of her. Even though I can only see the half of her face not hidden by the mask, she steals my damn breath.

Her body shivers and she crosses her arms over her chest, drawing my attention to her short costume.

“You want my coat?” I slip the thick, red-and-black hunter’s plaid wool shirt-coat off my shoulders. “It matches your outfit.”

Her teeth chatter and she hugs herself righter. Still refusing to look at me, she shrugs.

She lets me drape the coat over her shoulders, and even curls her fingers into the wool to pull it tighter.

That’s progress.

Don’t get excited, she’s just cold.

“Can we talk?”

“There’s nothing to say,” she rasps in a low, hollow voice I barely recognize.

Is this what I did to her?

The first hint of uncertainty grips me. All along, I thought I’d be able to fix this the minute we spoke. She knows me. She’ll understand.

“Let’s walk.” We’re alone for the moment but a lot of people are still roaming around. I don’t need anyone else interfering.

She sighs and turns, heading behind the food shacks where a long, grassy path stretches all the way to the chainlink fence that encircles the property.

This is not the loving reunion I pictured with my girl.

“I didn’t know you were coming tonight,” she says over her shoulder.

Is that her way of saying she wishes I hadn’t? Or that she’s sorry I saw her with Torch?

We keep walking, slipping between pools of bright light from the shacks and dark shadows behind the buildings. The scents of various fried foods mingle together.

“Do you want to get something to eat?” I ask.

“I already ate.”

Did Torch take her out to dinner? Did she eat at the bar with Remy? Grab a burger from Pax before I got here?

The last shack stands empty. The door’s ajar and I open it wider, motioning Molly inside.

She frowns and stares back at the path we just followed.

“It’s cold out,” I explain.

“Okay.”

Inside, I flip a switch by the door. Dim yellow light flickers above us, barely chasing away the shadows. It isn’t much warmer in here than it is outside. The front windows are shuttered, so no one can see us at least. I push the door closed but don’t latch it.

Molly frowns at the door.

I step closer and she backs up until her butt hits an old, wooden counter.

Where should I start?

I clear my throat. “Can I ask you something?”

She lifts her head and I feel the heat of her glare shooting out from behind the mask. I used to think her pissy little death-glares were cute, but that’s just because I was never on the receiving end of a serious one before. There’s no humor hiding behind her expression. Just raw hurt and disappointment pursing her lips.

“Go ahead,” she challenges.

I flick one of the tall, leather bunny ears on her head. “What are you supposed to be?”

Her defensive stance softens a fraction. “A devil bunny.”

Leave it to Molly to always come up with something clever from her own imagination. “Ahh, cute but deadly?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Yup.”

“Can you take it off for a minute?”

She mashes her lips together, like she’s about to tell me to go fuck myself with the nearest rigid object, but then she reaches behind her head. There’s a sharp click. She carefully pulls the mask off and sets it on the counter behind her, then runs her fingers through her hair.

“Stop.” I grab one of her hands. “Your hair’s fine.”

“It’s all flat and sweaty.” She yanks her hand away but stops trying to tame her wild waves.

Finally, I can see her face.

There’s my girl.

Well, my girl with bloodred lipstick and dark, sparkly shadow smudged around her eyes. I kinda like the elaborate makeup, though.

Molly could wear anything and paint her face any way she wanted, and I’d still think she’s the most beautiful woman in the world.

“What’d you want to talk about?” She lifts her chin and the glare returns.

“Everything. I missed you.”

You’re my girl.

Mine, mine, mine.

Nothing you saw on television was real.

“Weird way of showing it.” She shrugs as if she doesn’t care one way or another.

“I tried calling and texting you as soon as I got my phone back, but you blocked my number.” That sounds weak as fuck, but I don’t want to talk about how broken my body was when I returned home. And I’m not ready to admit to stalking her on campus, either.

Her chin trembles. She wraps her arms around her middle even tighter. Like she’s doing everything she can to stop herself from coming apart.

“Molly, everything you saw was a lie. I didn’t…I’d never…” My words falter as she crumbles. “I’d never do that to you. To us. I swear.”

Twin tears glisten on her lashes, then spill, dragging inky trails down her cheeks.

“Baby, please don’t cry.” I cup her face and swipe my thumb over her cheek. “Please.” My own voice breaks.

“I can’t do this,” she whispers.

Her words are a punch in the gut.

“Molly, please,” I plead. “All I’ve wanted to do is talk to you.” I snort a humorless laugh. “Without someone listening in.”

At the mere mention of the show, Molly’s body freezes. The hurt in her eyes hardens into ice. She brushes my hand away from her face.

Wrong move, Royal.

Why’d I have to say that?

“So, did you win the whole thing?” she asks in a caustic tone I’ve never heard from Molly. “Was it worth it?”

Fuck contracts or lawsuits. Any questions she asks about the show I have to answer honestly. “No.”

“Sorry to hear that,” she says without an ounce of sympathy behind the words.

“Please talk to me. Tell me about school.”

“School’s fine.” She scoffs. “Thankfully no one’s recognized me there. Or if they did, they had the decency not to say anything.” She casts a stink-eye toward the door. “Unlike around here.”

My stomach knots. “Remy told me how bad it was. I’m sorry. I didn’t know they?—”

“I can’t.” She throws one hand up in a clear stop gesture and shrugs off my coat. “Here.”

“Wait. Molly, we still need to?—”

“No we don’t.” She shoves the coat at me and swipes the mask off the counter.

I grab the woolen bundle and tuck it under my arm. “You sure you don’t want it? It’s still cold out.”

“I’m fine.” She slips the mask over her head and adjusts the snaps in the back.

My turf or not, this was the wrong place to try to talk to her. “How long are you going to be home?”

She shrugs. “I have plans tomorrow.”

“With who? Torch?” I gesture toward the door. “What the fuck are you even doing with him?”

Her jaw tightens but she won’t even look at me. “None of your business.”

Her denial’s a match to my own temper. This isn’t how I saw tonight going. At all. I know she’s pissed but she won’t even let me explain?

As she reaches for the door, I slap my palm against it, keeping it shut. “Everything about you is my business.”

“Not anymore.”

“Molly, I know you’re mad?—”

“I’m not mad.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

No. She’s not. She’s putting up a brave front. I know her. How she protects herself from all the people who’ve hurt and left her. When she’s upset, she either freezes or explodes. I’m usually the one who talks her through it.

Except, now I’m the one who hurt her. “We have to talk this out,” I try again.

“No, we really don’t. Seeing you fuck some random bimbo you’d known for five minutes told me all I needed to know.”

“It wasn’t me!” I roar, hating myself for yelling at her. “For fuck’s sake. Are you kidding me? You know me better than that.”

Her mouth twitches with uncertainty for a second. Brief, but I catch it.

“I thought I did,” she finally says.

This isn’t getting us anywhere. I step away from the door and open it.

“Let me walk you back,” I say even though inside I’m screaming, back to where—Torch’s arms?

“Okay.”

At least she’ll let me do that much.

She steps out first. And what do you know, Torch is waiting in the shadows. Leaning against the building next to us. He pushes away from the wall and goes to Molly, murmuring something against her ear.

Eraser’s gonna have to kiss his cousin’s ass goodbye. This motherfucker’s dead.

Satisfied she’s okay, Torch turns his glare on me. Remy’s dead wrong. Torch’s feelings for Molly are way more than friendly.

I pull my shoulders back and glare down at him.

“You fucked up, Royal.” He stops in front of me and meets my death glare with a smug chin lift. “Nothing you say to her can fix what the whole world watched you do.”

“You better watch yourself, speaking on stuff you know nothing about,” I warn. My voice and hard stare don’t waver. But his words saw open a hopeless void in my chest.

The truth doesn’t matter.

He grunts at me and turns away, draping an arm over Molly’s shoulders and steering her away from me.

He’s right.

No matter what, people will always think I cheated on my girlfriend. They “saw” it with their own eyes. They’ll call Molly pathetic for taking my “cheating” ass back. Strangers will judge us and our relationship. Even people we know will gossip about us.

It doesn’t matter.

Molly’s all I care about.

Us against the world.She said that once.

How can I make her believe in us again?