Page 69 of Deceptive Games

It wasn’t a surprise when Lukas ended up falling asleep, exhausting himself from the emotional roller coaster, and Jensen finally looked over and acknowledged me.

“It’s getting worse. Usually it’s a small cut or two and some apologies when he calls me, but those hysterics are new.”

“He was freaking out when I got here. He had blood dripping down his arm, and I don’t even know if he was aware of it. He was pacing and getting it everywhere,” I murmured, and he closed his eyes with a defeated sigh.

“I don’t know how to help him. Karen would never allow him to seek help for it, it would embarrass her too much. I can’t stay with him all the time, even though I want to. He lets me hover for a while then feels smothered and gets uncomfortable, mostly because his mom starts saying shit about us. I don’t know how he’ll handle school, everyone’s talking about us being gay.”

“I can confirm you’re both into pussy, not that it matters. I’ll punch anyone in the face who wants to fight about it,” I scowled, making him chuckle as he lifted his hand to cup my cheek.

“I know you will. We’ll take down the guys, you handle the girls. Deal?”

“Deal. We’ll be expelled by the end of the week,” I said through a huff of light laughter.

“Welcome to being privileged, where Josie bails you out every time you do something against the rules. You could burn the school down and she’d find a way to blame them.”

“She’s really nice. I wonder if my mom will get along with her. Maybe they could be friends?” I stated as I considered the thought. “Maybe Mom would like to live closer to Ashburn Valley if I kill Max?”

“You’re going to kill Max now? Do you have a hidden Grim Reaper list or something?” he asked dryly, and I rolled my eyes.

“No, but one day I’d like to think I was strong enough to tear him down. I just have to find him first.” I paused, contemplatingwhether to bring up Hunter with him. “Do you know much about the Devils?”

His face fell and he narrowed his eyes. “Why? Are they bothering you?”

“No. Skeet just won’t tell me much about them, and I think I should be more aware of what they’re like. They’re in town, so I want to know what to expect from the enemy, you know?”

He relaxed, nodding. “Yeah, that’s smart. Hunter used to hang out in Ashburn a lot with Skeet. They went to Ashburn Valley High together and were best friends.”

“Is Hunter nice?”

“He shot Skeet and left him for dead, what do you think?” he scoffed, sliding his hand up the back of Lukas’ shirt when he stirred, giving him back tickles until he settled again. “I don’t think Hunter would shoot you, but I think he’d use you to get to Skeet. Don’t get between them.”

“But you said he won’t hurt me.”

“I didn’t say that, I said he won’t shoot you. Hunter would play you like a puppet and leave you to pick up the pieces, and if you let him suck you in, it’s the Psychos you’d have to worry about. Don’t rub shoulders with the enemy.”

“And Marco?”

“I don’t know much about him, other than him and Skeet were insanely close until all the shit went down between the crews. Hunter seems to send him on a lot of messy jobs, so he’s probably more likely to shoot you. Maybe ask Diesel, he’d probably tell you what they’re like.” He watched me for a moment before speaking again, his voice low. “They’re really not bothering you? If they are, you need to tell Skeet.”

“If I’m not at home, I’m with one of you guys. They don’t have a moment to catch me alone,” I said with a shrug, guilt eating away at me for lying. “I think we need to convince Luke to comeback to Holloway’s house or yours. We can’t be here when his mom gets back.”

“I think Holloway’s is a good idea. He needs Josie to fuss over him. She makes you forget about your shitty parents,” he answered. “She’s a good mom to all of us.”

“I really like her,” I admitted, feeling a little bit awkward for saying it. “All I really know about most adults is that they’re like Max. She’s different from what I expected.”

“What’s your mom like? Do you remember much?”

“Not a lot, I was pretty young. She played with me and tried to protect me from Max. He thinks she ran because she didn’t want me, but I know she had to get settled somewhere before she could come and get me.”

He cringed, his voice gentle. “She’s had a long time to do that. Shouldn’t she have come back by now?”

“She’s scared of what Max will do. He can’t do anything when I’m eighteen, I’m just biding my time.”

He was quiet for a moment before replying. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. Take it from someone who spent a lot of time waiting at the window for a parent to come back. Dad never stopped disappointing me by canceling trips home or not showing up for parent things at school. Josie was there though, so I promise when you feel like you don’t have someone, you can turn to her. She won’t let you down.”

“Mom’s coming back,” I said sharply, and he nodded.

“I know, I’m just saying. I don’t want you to get your heart broken if she’s made a whole new life without you.”