Page 18

He sulked, not saying goodbye, and Reid gave us a wave as he moved his car beside Turbo’s to talk money. We’d all put a chunk of money into Turbo’s hand the previous week to cover our next few races, and the winner took home a nice cut of it each time.

It was probably why I didn’t mind when Reid won. He needed the money, unlike me, and he used it for necessities, not drugs or dumb shit like most kids from the Heights. He lived at Raven’s house with Zavier and Logan, so I knew the money would pay for bills and food for them all.

Blake and I smoked while we talked about her sister, and by the time I headed home, I’d promised to discuss it with Mom in the morning when I woke up.

I didn’t make it to the bar to see Landon as I was too tired. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.

ChapterFive

Riley

“I’m so fucking tired,” I grumbled as I sat at the table in the kitchen the next morning. I’d only had a few hours of sleep and felt like shit. It was the worst thing about the races, my sleep suffered because it was always a late night.

Mom glanced over her shoulder to assess me, her long, black hair tied in a braid, telling me she was on her way to spar at the shed.

“Maybe if you stopped coming home at three in the morning, you’d sleep better. Where were you? Angel said you weren’t with her, and since you turned your phone off, you obviously didn’t want to be found.”

“You said you’d stop asking where we were when we turned eighteen,” I pointed out, accepting a coffee from her as she joined me, sitting opposite me at the table. “I got home safely, so that’s all that matters.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know how Hawthorne Heights’ Police Station caught fire last night, would you?” she asked dryly, eyeing me over the rim of her cup.

“Why would I know anything about that?” I asked with a sly smile, sipping the steaming hot liquid. “The Heights isn’t my playground.”

“Why’d you burn it down?” she asked sharply, her fingers tight on her mug. “If one of those fuckers did something to you…”

I shook my head, realizing she thought I’d been hurt by the cops and had retaliated.

“I didn’t do it, but I know who did. I actually want to speak to you about it.” I put my coffee down in front of me, giving her my full attention so she knew how serious I was. “Some of the Hawthorne Heights cops touched a nine-year-old girl who’d just been removed from her father’s care.”

Fury filled her eyes and her jaw clenched as she spoke through her teeth. “Where is she now?”

“She’s in emergency foster care. Her sister, Blake, can’t take her in because she doesn’t have a stable home for her, so I said I’d see if we…” I didn’t even get to finish my sentence before she downed the rest of her coffee and got to her feet.

“I’ll have her here by fucking dinner tomorrow, and she can stay here until we find her somewhere perminant. Does Blake need somewhere to stay? Is she a friend of yours?”

“We’ve met a few times and she seems nice. I told her she’s welcome if she needs, but you know what street kids are like.” I shrugged. “Her pride already took a hit by accepting my help for her sister’s sake, so she wasn’t going to budge on my offer for her to have help too. I did say she was welcome whenever she wanted though.”

“I have no idea how I got so lucky with you kids. I thought for sure I’d fuck you all up.” Her face softened and she pulled me in for a hug as I stood. “And whatever you’re doing that’s so secretive, please be careful. I’ve lost enough already, I can’t lose you too. Promise me you’re safe.”

Guilt filled me, but I gave her a wide smile. “I promise. You’re the best mom ever, you know?”

“Thanks, baby,” she mumbled, holding me tighter and pressing her cheek on top of my head. She hadn’t been the same since Lloyd died, and I hated that she held some kind of self-blame. Nothing could’ve saved him that night. Not when his car had exploded right in front of me.

I was grateful that Mom hadn’t been there to witness it, because it had fucked us kids up enough as it was, but it would’ve completely destroyed Mom.

“I’m glad you saved him and the others,” I said softly, her body tensing. “At least he got to know what real love felt like.”

“It’s too early for this sappy shit.” She scowled as she pulled back, her eyes glassy. “Don’t you have school or something?”

“It’s Sunday,” I deadpanned. “I’ve got a bunch of information written down on my phone about Blake’s sister if you want it. All her personal details and…”

“Text it to me. I’ll go and pull some strings with BG,” she confirmed, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Tell your friend to be here for dinner tomorrow so she can spend some time with her sister.”

“She’s not my friend.”

“What is it with you kids being scared to call people your friends? You’re as bad as Beckett,” she tsked, grabbing her keys. “I’ll let you know when I have it sorted.”

“You don’t like meeting new people either,” I pointed out in a playful tone. “But thanks, Mom. I love you.” She gave me a warm smile, her shoulders relaxing from my reassurance. The others didn’t notice her insecurities about being a parent like I did.