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The sound of a car broke her reverie. She looked up to see headlights approaching. The rumble of the motor spoke of an old sports car. When the ancient Mustang drew up next to her, she let out a sigh of relief. Pete must have been hanging out with Damon and heard the commotion at her Dad's place. Pete and her had gotten along pretty well all through their lives. He was more Damon's friend than hers, but he never treated her wrong. They had never dated, but had gone out with friends to shoot pool and drink beers back when Damon had yet to fall under his step-grandmother's sway. After Damon had decided Amaliya was a whore for sleeping with one of his friend's when she was seventeen, Pete had remained her friend.

“I heard it got bad,” Pete's rich voice said out of the darkness filling the car.

Leaning down, she saw his pleasant features illuminated by the pale glow of the dashboard. His black hair was a tangled mess of curls on his forehead and his blue eyes were warm and inviting. His goatee was neatly trimmed. He smelled of beer, barbecue and aftershave.

“Doesn't it always?”

“They're really drunk this time. I heard the shotgun go off and Mae is telling everyone you're possessed. ”

“Great,” Amaliya sighed, averting her gaze, trying to look harmless.

“Mae's a toothless bitch. ”

Amaliya laughed bitterly, then nodded. “Yeah. Without a doubt. ”

Pete looked at her evenly. “You've been putting up with that shit a long time. You know, it's okay to walk away. ”

“I didn't have a choice but to walk away. I got tossed out. They didn't want me. ”

“Yeah, but they don't get you. And never will. ”

“Truer words have never been spoken. ” She sighed softly and shrugged. “I'll be okay. I'll find a place where I am wanted. ” She tried to sound light-hearted, but she knew her voice was thick with emotion.

“You're wanted, Amal,” Pete assured her. “People do care about you. I know I do. ”

She tucked her hair behind one ear and smiled at him. “You're always sweet to me. ”

Pete looked a little embarrassed. He gave her a sheepish smile. “Need a ride somewhere?”

Amaliya leaned her elbow on the edge of the passenger window and looked at him for a long time. He smelled of good things; it made her feel safe all at once. “Yeah. Yeah,” she decided. “I can't stay here. ”

“I can take you anywhere you want. I got nothing planned tonight, but going to bed. ”

“That sounds good,” she decided. “Take me to the Dixie Motel. ”

Pete nodded slowly, his lips pressed together, his eyes on her face. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I am very damn sure. ” She was tired of walking. All she wanted to do was rest.

He looked startled for some reason, and said quickly, “Okay, sounds like a plan. ”

Yanking the door open, Amaliya tossed her bag into the back seat and slid in. “I don't know why I bothered coming home. ”

“Home is home,” Pete answered. “For better or for worse. It's where you came from. ”

“And what you're trying to escape,” Amaliya added.

“Some of us. I like my home. Did you know I'm building out on the acre my Daddy gave me?”

“Really?”

“Yep. Three bedroom house and a big ol' porch,” Pete grinned. “I remember playing house when we were kids. You always said a three bedroom house was a rich person's house. ”

“I shared a room with two brothers. ” She laughed. “Having a canopy bed and a Barbie were rich folk stuff. ”

Shifting gears, Pete pulled the rumbling Mustang back onto the road. The scene at her Dad's house faded to the back of her mind. Her family didn't matter anymore; they didn't want her and she didn't want them. She was on her own now and she knew it. It was okay. With the wind in her hair and the roar of the engine filling her ears, she felt safe again.

“Yeah, well, your Daddy is doing much better now. I'm sorry he doesn't help you out more. Or your brothers. I told Damon and Ray to give you a break. They don't know what all is going on with you and they don't have a right to hold you back from your education. I know it’s always been real important to you. It used to be all you talked about. ”