Page 53 of Faded Gray Lines

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April – Four Years Ago

The first thing I noticed as I stumbled up the hill was the slow, steady beat of music. I froze, and Matty’s fingers fumbled with the blindfold. Once it dropped, I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms.

“Why did you bring me here?”

His soft chuckle fluttered against my ear. “It’s your senior prom, Star. You shouldn’t miss it.”

My heart pounded. No one could see me here with him. It was too risky.

“I told you, I don’t care. I hate this place and the people in it.”

“That may be true, but you don’t have to go inside to attend it. Besides, do you think I’d let you go with anyone else? When I said you were mine, I meant it.”

“What are you talking—” I spun around to face him, squinting as a bright flash blinded me. “Did you just take my picture?”

“I’m preserving the moment.”

I prepared to launch into a lengthy protest, but my words lodged in my throat at the sight of him. Gone was his usual T-shirt, jeans, and leather jacket, and in place stood a man I didn’t recognize. Tailored black pants covered his long, muscular legs and met a somewhat wrinkled white button up shirt in the middle. A loose-fitting jacket covered it all, cinched with a black and gray striped tie.

“Why are you doing this?”

He didn’t answer me, stepping forward with a secret smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Dance with me,” he said, offering his hand.

“What? Why?”

“Because I like this song, and we may never get to dance like this again.”

“Matty, what are you talking about? I’m only eighteen. Are you saying that—”

He rolled his eyes and grabbed my waist, pulling me into him. “Anyone ever tell you that you talk too much? I said I like this song. Don’t ruin it for me.”

So we danced outside of my high school—him in a second-hand suit, and me in a simple white sundress. We danced with his hands holding me tightly, and my head nestled in the crook of his neck.

The night was perfect. He was perfect.

He’d done all the right things and said all the right words. Even though some of them would prove to be truer than he realized.

We never did dance like that again.

* * *

Present Day

I glanced down at the tear-stained photo crumpled in my hand. If I closed my eyes and listened, I could still hear the song in my head—the melody like a knife slowly cutting my heart out piece by piece. Back then, we were just a couple of reckless kids who thought love was enough.

Love was never enough. Not in my world and definitely not in his.

I have to get out of here.

Tucking the picture back into his pants pocket, I stood up and scanned the room for my car keys. However, I could look all I wanted, and it wouldn’t make a difference. I’d never find them.

Because my keys were at Caliente. Along with my car.

“Shit!” Falling backward onto the bed, I let out a groan. Mateo drove me home last night, and now I was trapped in this cartel owned whorehouse like a kept woman—just waiting for him to come back and offer me a rescheduled fuck.

As much as I didn’t want to, I was going to have to call for reinforcements. Rolling over, I pushed onto my elbows and reached toward the nightstand for my...