Page 12 of Always Love You More

I raise an eyebrow, surprised he would trust the new kid with something like that so soon. “Do you want me to—”

The back of his hand connects with the side of my face, his ring catching my lip. I run my tongue across my bottom teeth, tasting blood.

“Don’t interrupt me,” he spits.

Before I can say anything, he turns to Marcus. “You’re with the kid.”

Marcus grunts his understanding, and my father shifts to Johnny. The kid stares back at him with a blank look on his face, seemingly unfazed by the whole situation, but then I notice his hand balled in a fist at his side.

My father crosses his arms over his chest. “You do good today, and we’ll see.”

“I will,” Johnny answers coolly.

Marcus exchanges a silent conversation with my old man before he heads for the door. “Let’s go.”

Johnny follows him out, his gaze briefly catching on my lip.

The door clicks shut again, and I stand in place, waiting.

I keep my chin raised as my father takes two fast steps toward me. “Don’t you ever fucking question me in front of others again.”

I don’t respond. I know he doesn’t want me to.

“You’re useless, Jameson.” He leans forward. “Say it.”

I keep my eyes trained forward. “I’m useless.”

“Without me, you’re nothing. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, sir,” I answer. “That’s right.”

He walks around his desk, speaking more to himself than to me. “But I’m gonna make you into a man.” He looks back at me. “Everything I do is for your own good.” He’s watching me like he expects an answer.

I keep my voice even, burying the anger beneath the words. “I know.”

Nodding, he crouches down in front of the safe behind his desk. He punches in the code then grabs a wrapped brown paper bag. “I’ve got somewhere I gotta be,” he tells me. “I want the rest of this rolled by the time I get back tonight.”

I take it from him and nod, already knowing what’s inside.

He turns back to the safe. “Get out of here.”

I pull the door shut behind me and head right to the bathroom. The dim light flickers on above me as I twist the lock shut. Dropping the toilet lid, I set the bag on top of it before bracing my arms on either side of the sink. Finally, I let myself breathe, the air coming in as gulps, making it feel like I’m drowning inside my own body.

Slowly, I raise my head and run my tongue over my split lip. The faucet whines, and the water rushes out too quickly as I cup my hands and splash it over my face. I rub until the caked blood washes away then dry it off with a paper towel.

Closing my eyes, I count to three, letting each number bring me back to myself. My eyes blink open, and the mask slips back into place.

I don’t give myself time to think before I leave the bathroom and start toward the front of the garage.

Billy looks up, and his pen stops when he sees my lip. His face hardens as I drop down beside him, shoving the brown paper bag into my backpack.

“I’m fine,” I tell him before he can start in on me.

“He shouldn’t be able to—”

“I said, I’m fine, Billy. Drop it.”

He blows out a breath, scrubbing a hand down his face. “You want a soda?” He starts to stand. “I’ll go get you a soda.”