She doesn’t answer because she knows I’m not. She knows the condition of that place.
“She’s got a man out here,” I say, hating the way my voice trembles.
“First thing tomorrow, Chase.”
I glance around feeling as helpless as I did as a kid. I’d go in there with guns blazing, but where would that leave Mila? I tried it once, and it only made things worse. No, I’ve got to do this the right way. I can’t risk losing her.
When I first found out about Mila, I wanted to run with her, but I couldn’t do it. I knew I’d have to live the rest of my life in fear, constantly looking over my shoulder.
“You’ll call me right after you check on her?”
“Of course.”
I hang up, swinging my fist in the air, almost throwing my phone out of my hand. Fuck!
My mom and her friend finish their cigarettes and then head back inside.
“It’ll be okay,” I whisper to myself, just like I used to every time my mom went on a binge.
It was always a lie.
I send the twins a message to tell them I’m going back to the Cage. I don’t even have to ask; I know they’ll get there before I do. I need to punch someone, and they’re the only two who are willing to get in the ring with me.
Chapter Five
Serenity
Someone is beating on my door.
Oh my god, what time is it? “Go away!” I yell.
The knocking doesn’t stop.
“Ugh.” I sit up. “Fine. I’m coming.”
Before I even get out from under the covers, the door swings open.
Cole and Carson are playfully punching each other as they enter. They stop at the end of the bed and stare at me.
“Rage was right. She didn’t ru…nnn,” Cole’s words drift off as they both tip their head to the side like a pair of owls.
“What the fuck did you do to your hair?” Carson asks.
My hand goes to my head, and I jump to my knees in the center of the bed. I turn around, finding my hair scattered across the pillow. “Oh my god!”
“Oh shit,” Carson says, following me as I sprint to the bathroom.
“What the fuck happened to my hair?” I cry, gawking at a reflection I don’t recognize.
“You didn’t do this?” he asks.
“No, I didn’t do this!” I pull at the chopped strands. “Why would I do this to myself?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Bitches be crazy sometimes.”
I spin on him and his brother. “You guys did this.”
“We didn’t cut your hair,” Cole says, holding up his hands.