Chapter Thirty-Three
The Worst Escape
Crystal
Joplin was oblivious to the silent tears currently spilling down my cheeks. She’d been peacefully curled up in the passenger seat for the past two hours and finally passed out. I’d told her I wanted to talk, but the truth was, the tire was flat and I didn’t have a spare.
I drove on the rim, denying any concern about the sound until I was clenching my jaw and biting back tears. This was not how our great escape was supposed to go down.
I’d managed to take us exactly three miles from the trailer. The shadowed edge of the Steel Cages parking lot wasn’t going to provide much sanctuary once the sun came up, and I wasn’t sure what we’d do then.
I didn’t dare close my eyes. If I nodded off, I’d wake up to the police or Anthony knocking on the window, or worse yet, Larry.
I didn’t fear Anthony, but I wasn’t eager to see him. I felt bad about hitting him, especially when Joplin told me they’d left that number. I was too far into my emotions to think straight at the time. It all just felt too little, too late.
So, I’d thrown the scrap away, unable to process what it meant at that moment.
I still didn’t know what it meant or if it even mattered.
My thoughts drifted, and the tears eventually dried. It felt like no time at all, before light threatened the horizon.
I nervously worked the nail of my ring finger against my thumb, only to still when a car turned onto the lot. I clearly made out Anthony in the passenger seat, but I had no idea who the older lady behind the wheel was.
I held my breath, unsure if I should start the car and get it off his property or remain as quiet and invisible as humanly possible.
It would damage the rim if I kept driving, but I didn’t want trouble.
Tears threatened again, and I realized that I was more exhausted than I thought.
Thankfully, he exited the car and started toward the club. The lady backed up, peering at the us as she slowly passed and navigated back onto the highway.
“Thank God,” I whispered, not at all ready for another dose of confrontation.
The knuckle against the passenger window nearly took my soul from my body. I screamed, flailed, and shoved Joplin back against the seat when she sucked in a breath and sat up without warning.
“Sorry,” Anthony called, holding his hand out and stepping back a bit. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just…”
“We’re leaving,” I lied, grabbing for the keys that were still dangling from the steering column.
He opened Joplin’s door, ignoring my statement, until he was half in the car, “You’re not. The tire is flat, and the rim is fucked. Stop. Please? Just Breathe. Come in and relax a min—”
I erupted with laughter, clapping a hand over my mouth, only for another round to escape.
He stared at me like I’d lost it, and inside, I knew I had a little.
“I can’t take her there. I just rescued her from a hell house; it wasn’t to run her to the first stage we found. No thanks.”
I reached over Joplin, intent on shutting the door once he got out of the way.
“I wasn’t offering anyone a job. It’s just a building right now. No one is in there. I’m not opening it for business today, either.”
“Right. You’re gonna call off all the day’s profits for you and the girls, just to entertain me and my kid sister?”
He hefted one side of his mouth toward a smile, “I could let you believe that if it helps, but no… My little brother was just arrested by the military. I’m not really in the mood today and I’m already short a few.”
He cocked his head toward the building, “Come on, straight to the office. I’ll get you both a cold drink and you can nap on the sofa until you figure shit out.”
I gripped the steering wheel, terrified to let go. Not because of anything he’d do to me, more because I didn’t trust myself. I couldn’t stay in Swanwick.
Joplin couldn’t stay in Swanwick.
I couldn’t let her go back to Larry and my mom.
Before I could decide, Joplin jumped out like he’d invited her to her first concert.
“Come on, let’s go.” She took off for the front door.
Anthony smiled, and stood, following along without waiting for my confirmation.
“Shit.” I scrambled to get the seatbelt off and grab my bag.
He did exactly as he said, herding her by the shoulder toward the office, when she tried to step toward the showroom in that curious way.
“If no one is in there…” Joplin protested.
“No deal.” Anthony shook his head, tapping the door open. He remained there in the hallway, waiting for me to catch up.
I paused, unsure of what to say or how to act.
“Let me get you something to drink,” he whispered, staring into my eyes, before speaking a bit louder, “Do you have a favorite juice or soda?”
“Pepsi?” Joplin asked with a hint of hope in her tone.
“You got it.” He sauntered down the hall and returned a moment later with two drinks in hand.
I took it but didn’t bother opening the can.
“You good if I borrow her a minute?” Anthony looked at Joplin and asked, without consulting me.
“Uh–”
“Yeah, I’m good.” Joplin nodded, before I could object.
“Good.” Anthony winked and shut the door. “We’re not going anywhere.”
He held his hands up, in that silent plea again, “I just– I can’t believe you’re here. I’ve been looking for you for a fucking year…”
“You chased me away, just to look for me…” I squinted at him, and the ridiculousness that he wanted me to believe.
“I didn’t chase you anywhere. I bought a marriage license with you. When I came back, you were gone. They said that you didn’t work there anymore and your roommate freaked out–”
“So, that gave you a reason to shatter the fucking door?” My voice rose without my meaning for it to happen, as my emotions began to boil and spill over.
“I didn’t shatter the door. It was shattered when I got there…”
“You tore up the marriage license.”
The horror in his eyes told me how wrong I was.
“I spent my last fucking… I gave you everything but a few little dollars, so you could buy those and feel good about yourself on our wedding day.” He motioned toward my chest.
I’d not wasted his money. I got better tips as a result of the surgery.
“Anthony, I can’t do this. I have Joplin now… I have to provide a life for her. I have to stay focused.”
“Marry me.” He spat, ignoring everything I said.
I closed my eyes against the urge to pull my own hair out.
“I can’t fall like that again, Ant… I can’t…”
“Trust me,” he implored, under his breath, his pinky locking with mine. “I swear to fuck, I never stopped looking. I opened this hoping you would come through the doors and find me. Now, you’re here. Crystal, don’t fucking leave again.”