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Starting it up, he steps on the gas, and I run my hand through my hair,
despair curling its way through me. But I hesitate only a moment before I
drop my bag and race up to him, jumping up on the cab step.
“You asshole,” I bite out, and he slams on the brakes and glares at me.
I’m probably attracting attention, but I’m not taking any more of his
shit.
“Get off the truck.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know who you are or where you come from,”
I snarl, “but I don’t get pushed around. In case you haven’t heard.”
He jerks his chin, indicating something behind me as he smiles. “I guess
we’ll see.”
I turn and see Lyla and Katelyn sitting on the ledge at the top of the
steps, watching us. Great. How am I going to explain this?
“Watch out. You’re being judged,” Masen taunts. “Don’t choke.”
I step down from the cab, and he puts the truck in gear again. But before
he can take off, I call out, “You’re living in an abandoned theme park.”
He stops the car again and lifts his chin. I stroll up to his window,
feeling a bit of my power return as I give him a small smile.
“I’d only be doing the compassionate thing,” I tell him, “letting a
responsible adult know about your homeless situation.”
He stills at my threat, and I offer a sympathetic sigh. “Social services
would come in, find out where you come from and if anyone’s looking for
you…” I go on, putting my finger on my chin in mock contemplation. “I
wonder if Masen Laurent has a criminal record. Maybe that’s why you’re
hiding out? You definitely want to stay invisible. I’d bet money on that.”
His scowl is hot, and I can see his jaw flex. Yeah, he might be eighteen
and perfectly able to squat wherever he likes, but that doesn’t mean he’s up