Page 77 of Better Run

I freeze. Behind Kyle, a woman about our age wraps her sweater around her. She grimaces when she sees me. “Hey, Jo.” She looks slightly familiar.

I take a step back. Kyle winces and rubs the back of his neck.

I look between the two of them. Finally, I ask, “What is she doing here?”

She tilts her nose up. “I’m his girlfriend, Jen.”

The world crashes to a halt, and I focus on her face. Girlfriend? I try to swallow, but my mouth is too dry. Girlfriend? He was cheating on me. Anger flows through my system like a flame along dry wood.

Kyle clears his throat. “I thought…after your letter…that you were never coming back.” He continues rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t get rid of any of your stuff, you know, in case you still wanted it.”

I look between the two of them. All I can do is clench my fists.

“Hey, are you okay?” Kyle motions at my gown.

I snort. The woman—Jen—glares at me. She’s really pretty. Prettier than me. Suddenly, all my emotions leave again. It’s like a wave of numbness sweeps everything back into the ocean.

“Can I get you—”

“No.” I hold up a hand, trying to figure out what I’m going to do.

Kyle has a girlfriend. In my home. I can’t stay here.

Jayden and Cole are coming for me. I know it. The longer I’ve been away, the more I’ve realized this isn’t a game. I might actually be able to get away this time.

I look at Jen. “How much gas is in your car?”

“What?”

“How much gas? I’ll trade your car for mine. Mine’s fully paid off and newer.”

Her mouth drops open. “You...want to take my car?”

“Please.” I hate that Jayden and Cole have reduced me to pleading. But I want a car that they won’t recognize. That the cops won’t link to me. I look over my shoulder and out the storm door. I don’t see any headlights approaching. Yet.

“What’s going on, Jo?” Kyle asks.

I grit my teeth. What can I say to get them to work with me?

“I’m in trouble. Can I get some of my things? Please, let me borrow the car. You guys can have the house, too. I don’t care.”

They look at each other.

I growl. “I’m getting my stuff.” I march past them and toward my room.

“Hey—I put your stuff in the pink room,” Kyle says.

I stop, then slowly turn. The goddamn pink room. I go, and there are trash bags full of things. I rip them open, looking for clothes. When I find a pair of sweatpants and a shirt, I throw them on, then grab a trash bag and go to the front door.

“These your keys?” I take an unfamiliar pair off the wire boob hanger.

The woman doesn’t say anything, so I look back at her.

She looks at Kyle. “She can’t have my car.”

“I don’t care.” I whirl on her. “I’m in trouble. Dangerous men are after me to try and take me again.Kidnapme again. You took my boyfriend and my life; the least you can do is allow me my freedom.”

She sucks in a breath.