I roll my eyes and start driving.
As we pull onto a main road, two girls in bikinis walk by.
Timmy leers at one of them, a cruel grin spreading across his face as he glances back at me in slow motion, gauging my reaction.
“Timmy, stop being disgusting,” I snap, smacking him on the arm.
But he doesn’t stop. As we pull onto the freeway, he sticks his head out the window, reaching for the radio antenna.
“Timmy, get back in the truck!”I yell.
He laughs, his upper body dangling precariously out the window.
My heart pounds as I imagine the worst. I seriously think he’s about to be decapitated by a passing vehicle.
When he bobs back inside, I see red. Panicking, I punch him in the head and yank his hair, forcing him to stay inside the vehicle.“You’re going to get yourself killed!”I shout.
He retaliates by grabbing at my arm and thigh, trying to wrestle the steering wheel from my control.
“Stop it, Timmy!”I scream.“You’re going to make us crash!”
I fumble for my phone and call Phil, while Timmy continues to grab at me.
“Hello?” Phil answers.
“He’s grabbing at me while I’m driving!”I yell.“He’s sticking his head out the window. We’re on the freeway. Please make him stop!”
“Son, stop it!”Phil says sharply. “Margaux, hand him the phone.”
“No fucking way,”I snap. “He’ll throw it out the window.”
Timmy glares at me. “Fuck you for calling my dad,” he spits. “You’re trying to drive a wedge between me and my family.”
“No,” I say, my voice trembling. “That’s not what I’m trying to do at all.”
Yet again, Timmy’s behavior has somehow become my fault.
And this whole situation is far too big for me to deal with alone.
CHAPTER 59
2AM CATWALK
MARGAUX
The door’s beep jerks me awake. For a moment, I think I’m dreaming. Maybe Timmy is just fumbling his way back in from one of his late-night escapades. But when I see what’s happening, my body goes cold, adrenaline surging through my veins.
He’s got Sabre—my sweet, loyal cat, my family. He’s put him in his harness and leash. Sabre’s wide, confused eyes lock with mine, silently pleading.What the hell is going on?
“Oh my gosh, Timmy! What are you doing? Donottake him outside!” I plead, my voice shaking.
Timmy smirks, a twisted grin that makes my stomach churn. Without a word, he starts walking Sabre toward the door.
“No!” I bolt out of bed, the fastest I ever have in my life, my heart racing. “Timmy,stop! It’s2AM! He can’t go outside in the dark!”
I’m panicking now, my voice high and frantic.
Sabre glances back at me, his movements tentative, unsure of what to do.