Page 66 of For Cowgirls and Kings

At least, I never knew him to be.

“Geez man, I promise she’s not worth it. Church trash—” He doesn’t get a chance to finish his train of thought before Mateo’s giant fist connects with his face, a sickening crunch filling the room.

I’m terrified, my heart feeling fit to burst.

But why am I also all of a sudden horny?

Kevin crumples, a hoarse cry accompanying his descent, and Mateo turns to face me once more. He doesn’t look down at me, or at the faces now congregating in the hallway, but grabs my wrist in a firm, but gentle grip, leading me down the stairs.

I watch his shoulders vibrating through the fabric of his shirt, so tight I’m afraid the muscles will rip in half, his head hung low like he’s ashamed.

We reach the driveway where the party’s still alive and well, the news of its patron not yet being passed around like the juicy gossip it will undoubtedly be. I stop, digging my heels into the gravel, and tug on my wrist. Mateo reluctantly stops, but doesn’t turn around.

I reach out my free hand, and touch his back, only for him to stiffen farther, pulling away from me. “Mateo, thank you. I’m…I’m sorry that happened. I shouldn’t have?—”

“No. You fucking shouldn’t have. And now I’ve beat someone up for what? For talking shit like he always does? I don’t agree with what he said about you, but fuck.” He sucks in several breaths, his shoulders rising and falling. I can’t stop the tears from falling again, his disappointment in me is the greatest blow I’ve suffered tonight. “You put yourself in that position, Dale. You should know better.”

I tug at my wrist, harder this time, and he reluctantly releases it, turning to face me. His face is angry and dark, a scowl pulling at every line in his face. And then it shifts, darkening farther, and I step back.

I pull my arms across my chest, suddenly afraid of him too.

“What the fuck is that?” It’s a growl, and I cower away from him.

“What is what?” I whisper.

“Your face. What the fuck happened to it?”

I reach up, wincing when I trace the swollen lump forming beneath my eye. “Like you said, I should’ve known better.”

“Fuck, Dale. Did he hit you?”

“I deserved it.” I don’t know if I believe the words wholeheartedly, but now that two people have basically told me I put myself in this position and shouldn’t be surprised at what happened next, I’m not so certain.

Maybe I did deserve it. If Mateo—the fairest, kindest person I know thinks it—how untrue can it really be? I know nothing about relationships like this, so maybe?

“Dale, I didn’t know. You definitely didn’t—”I put my hand up, cutting him off. I don’t need his pity now. Not when he was being honest with me before. I understand. I’m learning, and sometimes we fall down on our faces when we learn.

I turn on my heel, not listening to whatever Mateo starts to say.I can’t.The ugly crying is about to commence and I want nothing more than to be alone. I walk down the driveway, and toward the direction of my house.

This was a lesson.One I’ll never forget.

February 18th, 2025

I’m still notsure what woke me up, but I couldn’t believe it when I found my hands and feet free of my bindings or the pile of supplies in the corner like a small beacon of hope. I didn’t question it as I slinked across the room, hazy evening light dancing shadows across the walls as night closed in. I didn’t think about it as I climbed out the window in the corner, the lock magically missing. I didn’t think about any of this as I sprinted into the woods, not sparing a second look behind me, as I raced into the darkness—into the unknown.

But I’m thinking about it now.

They talked about a trap. What if this is me, running right into their trap? What if they’ve set the bait free, to reel in the real catch, and then they kill us both?Whoever “us” is.

I don’t stop, even as the fears wrap like vines around my stomach, tugging and pulling at me. My arms pump, my feet aching but nearly numb beneath me.

I feel like I’ve been running forever, and I still don’t know where I’m going. I haven’t heard anyone after me, but I’m not so sure I would anyways. With the roar of blood in my ears and the buzz of oxygen racing through my lungs, I can barely hear anything.

Don’t fall apart now.I know in my bones this is my onlychance to escape—if I don’t reach safety today, I’ll die here. And as miserable as I might be, I’m not ready to die.

I stop, hand resting at the base of my throat, as I try desperately to catch my breath. My heart feels fit to burst, fear coursing through me like a live wire in open water. My skin pricks, the hairs on the back of my neck standing at full attention, and I begin to stumble forward once more.

I feel like I’m being hunted, and that’s scarier than just being abused.