I nodded the second she turned back to look at me, and her mouth gaped open. “That’s the girl? The one you drove up to see and she had left with another boy?”
“Yep. She’s the one.”
“Oh my lord.”
I watched Cassie bite her lip and smile. She was always a sucker for a good romance story, and this was one that she was sinking her teeth into. “I got your back, Alex. Sarah has the weekend off.”
“Thanks, Cassie. I knew you’d understand. Just do me a favor and don’t tell her, okay?”
She nodded, and I watched her walk away with a hop to her step and knew I’d have one in mine too.
Eleven
Cory
Alex had actually come to rescue me. Every time his words repeated through my mind, I hated myself more and more. If I had just figured out a way to get to Granny’s house, at least, none of what I’d gone through would have happened. If I had just trusted my gut that Alex still cared for me or even tried to see if he still did, rather than leave with Remy—all of it could have been avoided. Remy had promised he would take care of me and never let anyone hurt me again. I trusted the wrong guy. I’d tried to give myself an excuse: I had Remy there in person, promising me the same thing Alex had, but Alex wasn’t there. Trying to twist that rationale into a logical excuse was useless now. Alex was there, he wanted to save me, and I hadn’t trusted him.
“Miss?”
Snapping out of my thoughts, I looked down at my pad and realized I hadn’t written down any of what the man at my table had ordered.
“I’m so sorry, could you repeat that please?”
Even as he repeated his order, my thoughts still roamed, wondering what could have been with Alex if I hadn’t been so stupid.
The taste of copper filled my mouth as I turned to get drinks for the table, and I realized I must have been biting my lip too hard again while thinking about my poor decisions. Pulling the handle to fill the pilsner glass with beer, I glanced over the top of it to see Alex gazing at me. I couldn’t help but smile. He had that same goofy grin on his face that he’d had after he had kissed me for the first time.
“Gurrl,” Cassie drawled out with her Southern accent.
“Ah,” I yelped and let go of the handle quickly. I over-poured the beer and it was overflowing the splash area.
“You’ve got it bad,” she said as she mopped up some of the beer and laughed. “Listen, it’s died down a lot. Why don’t you and Alex take off?”
I pulled in my eyebrows, but knew my smile couldn’t be hidden. “Are you sure?” My eyes darted around, and for a Friday night, she was right. It really wasn’t as busy as it had been last week at that hour. I swallowed, debating if I should accept her offer or not.
When my gaze landed on Alex, my smile almost turned into a full beam. “Okay. I mean, if you’re really sure,” I said, unable to keep my eyes off Alex. He winked and my heart fluttered. I pressed my lips together, forgetting all I’d thought about a moment ago. All of it was out the window now, everything forgotten, all by one sweet look from a man with beautiful jade eyes. Ones that were staring at me just then with longing and admiration—something I’d never seen from a man. Only once before, but it was from that boy I knew so long ago.
Cassie leaned forward, blocking my view, and waved at Alex. She giggled, pulling back, and smiled before she told me, “Of course I’m sure. You two kids get out of here and have a great weekend.”
I nodded, taking her offer. “Thank you. Really, I appreciate this so much. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, I turned on my heel and wondered why she’d told me to have a nice weekend. Unless maybe she wasn’t scheduled tomorrow, which was entirely possible. It seemed like she lived there sometimes.
After grabbing my bag, I rushed over to Alex while shrugging into my jacket. He was about to take a drink of his beer when he stopped mid-lift and eyed me, noticing my bag in the process.
“Cassie said I could leave early.” I bit my bottom lip, knowing he’d be just as thrilled to not have to wait for me the rest of the night.
Alex’s eyes searched behind me and he waved, mouthing Thanks. I looked back to see Cassie beaming, holding her hand up in a thumbs-up gesture.
As his hand slipped into mine, I inhaled deeply and swallowed hard. Like a teen about to go out on a date, I felt as if my stomach had a swarm of butterflies fluttering around in it. With my heart beating furiously, we stepped out into the cool night air. The smell of car fumes couldn’t even blow out my excitement to be with Alex again.
In the back of my mind, I knew it might not last, but just for the time being, I was going to savor every moment I could with him.
Alex gestured toward the direction of his car, and he slipped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to him. I nestled my face against his warm jacket, laughing about how I’d made fun of it at the park. I closed my eyes and replaced the city air with the scent of Alex’s spicy cologne.
When I opened my eyes, I had almost missed her. It was as if I were jolted back in time to when I had been the one standing in the shadows. I froze. Alex stopped because I had and I faintly heard him start to ask me why. Until he followed my gaze.
Releasing my grip from around Alex’s waist, I slowly walked toward the girl who couldn’t have been more than fourteen or fifteen—the same age as I had been when I had run away with Remy. The headlights from the cars driving by flickered across her stringy dirty-blond hair. Her thin shirt couldn’t have been able to keep her warm, and I assumed it was yet another reason to lean against the brick wall of the building to hide form the wind. She seemed to shrink farther into the alley, and I could sense Alex’s initial hesitation to stop me. I waved to him that it would be all right.
“Are you lost?” I asked her, knowing from the looks of her that she’d been living on the streets for more than a couple of days.
Her eyes darted to Alex. Immediately I knew that fear of men. It was obvious to me, and I was sure if she’d been out there that long, she had good reason to be afraid. I swallowed as I turned to Alex.
My voice lowered as I asked, “Would you mind waiting over by the park bench?”
Alex’s eyes flicked from the girl to me, and then his expression softened as he nodded. As Alex stepped back toward the bench, I watched as he took out his phone. I was glad he would have something to occupy him while I had a chat with her.
“What’s your name?” I asked as I turned back.
Her back stiffened and her chin lifted. I pressed my lips together, remembering how hard it was to act brave. To pretend that you were strong when you were actually terrified inside. With no plan, nowhere to go, no money or food—everyone and everything was an obstacle mixed with fear. Not knowing whom to trust or if you should. My stomach churned and I realized I’d be there again if I had to run without saving enough money.
“I don’t have to tell you my name, and you can’t make me go back there.” Her voice wavered, yet she tried so hard to sound brave.
My heart sank for her even more than when I had first noticed her. I shook my head. “No. Of course not.” I kept my voice low and even, showing her she had a choice. “You don’t have to go anywhere or do anything you don’t want to.”
I looked around and noticed Alex was no longer at the bench. My initial thought was that he had taken off, not wanting to deal with the situation. It angered me until I set the idea aside. I’d deal with him later.
“Are you hungry?” There were times when I was on the run that finding food seemed impossible.
She pressed her lips together and I noticed a slight quiver.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I really know how you feel.” I sighed as I tilted my head. “I’ve been there.”
Her eyes ran over my outfit. The short skirt, knee-high nylons, and heels probably looked like a costume to her. Hell, it felt like one sometimes. “I just got out of work.” I shrugged, feeling as if she could use an explanation. My light jacket covered me but suddenly I felt like it was ex
cessively warm. I slipped it off and held it out to her.
Her blue eyes ran over the uniform and practically bulged out when she saw how low the neckline came. “You have to wear that?”
I laughed. “Yeah, pretty funny, huh? Supposed to be some sort of German dress, but the place tries to be an Irish pub. I can’t figure out what the owner was thinking.”
Just hearing her giggle warmed me, and she finally took the jacket I was handing to her. She slipped it on, sighing as she stuffed her hands into the pockets.
I nodded toward the empty park bench. “Do you want to go sit down with me? After working all night long in these heels, my feet are killing me.” I huffed and started toward the bench, hoping she would follow me.
When I was on the run after the Alejandro incident, I’d tried to sit at a park bench; it was like a beacon over my head screaming for crazy weird men driving by to try to pick me up.
I shivered, not from the cold, but from one of the horrible memories I had recalled. I hoped this young girl didn’t have to learn that the hard way.
As I sat next on the freezing bench, my legs felt the brunt of the cold, thanks to the short skirt. Then I felt the warmth of the girl as she warily sat at the furthest edge of the bench.
“Ma—” She started, and I knew she remembered to give a fake name. It was hard to get used to. “Lisa. My name is Lisa.”
I nodded and gave her a faint smile. “It’s nice to meet you. My name is Co—” I stopped and bit my lip quickly. “Sarah. Mine is Sarah.”
Her eyes widened and her face went white as she looked over my shoulder. I turned to see what had her so frightened. When I saw that it was Alex and he was carrying a white paper sack with a drink, I hoped she would alter her fear of men and be a little happy about the food.
Alex placed the items on the seat next to me and then started to turn. His eyebrows pulled in, and then he glanced quickly to the girl and then back to me. Before I knew it, his warm jacket was draped over the back of the bench next to me. My heart fluttered at his thoughtfulness. There I was thinking he took off, and he was actually helping. I smiled at him as he ducked into a shop entryway and pulled out his phone.
Turning back to Lisa, I opened the bag and pulled out a carton of french fries and handed them to her. Her eyes went wide and she reached for them. Then she pulled it back in hesitation.
Understanding her apprehension, I nodded, taking one of the fries and eating it. Swallowing the salty treat, I smiled as I noticed her exhale and take the carton, popping one fry in her mouth. After realizing it wasn’t poisoned, she took another one. I handed her the burger and scooted the bag over to her. I quickly took a sip from the drink too before smiling at her.
“Thank you,” she whispered and tears welled up in my eyes. I nodded as I pulled Alex’s coat around my shoulders.
“So, is he your boyfriend?” She pointed a fry in his direction.
I looked back at Alex, with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone to his ear. He smiled and gave us a nod.
“Yeah. Something like that. I actually knew him when I was your age. We just ran into each other for the first time in almost twelve years.”
She nodded, and her blond strands barely moved. “That’s cool,” she said with a mouth full of food. “Are you going to make me go back home?”
“Not unless you want to. I’m guessing there’s a reason you ran away. Anything you want to tell me?”
She stopped chewing and swallowed. “No. Nothing to talk about.”
I nodded as we sat there in silence while she continued eating her meal. Alex came up next to me and squatted down. His eyes glanced at Lisa, giving her a soft smile before returning his gaze to me. Holding out a napkin, he whispered, “This is the phone number for a youth shelter for teens. They wouldn’t give me the address, but if she calls them, they’re waiting for her.”
“Where’d you find that number?” Lisa asked, looking at him warily.
He cleared his throat and stayed on his haunches. “I looked it up on the internet. They’re waiting for you to call.” From his back pocket, he pulled out a cheap cell phone. It wasn’t his at all, but I noticed there was a credit card pressed to the back of it. My eyes widened at the fact that he had gone and bought her a phone after he had brought the food. Everything inside of me wanted to hug him so tightly he wouldn’t be able to breathe. I fought to keep my bottom lip from quivering as Alex held out the phone for Lisa to take.
“You want me to make the call now?” Lisa asked, her face scrunched in disbelief.
Alex shrugged. “Whenever you’re ready. It’s yours to take. There’s twelve hundred minutes, so call whomever you want.”
Lisa eyed the phone and her jaw clenched. It was obvious she wanted to accept it and I remembered that same fear when she asked, “What do I have to do for you?” Her eyes flicked back and forth between the two of us.
My stomach churned and my heart broke for her. I fought to keep my tears at bay.
Alex’s jaw dropped as he shook his head, completely taken aback by her question. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. They’re yours,” he told her as he leaned in and placed the phone on the bench between us. Quickly, he glanced at me as he got back up and walked back over to the store entryway.
Bile rose to my throat as I realized how many girls I had made believe me—trust me—and then I’d turned around and stabbed them in the back by bringing them to Alejandro. He was supposed to help them, like he’d helped Remy and me. Set them up with a job, as he had with me. Give them a roof over their head, asking for very little rent, like he had with me. But that wasn’t what he did for the other girls I brought to him. Fighting the tears with everything inside of me, I turned back to Lisa.
“I promise you, there are no strings attached. I’m going to leave you this money…” My hands trembled as I leaned over and dug into my purse. I pulled out all of the savings I had so far—a small wad—and placed them in her hand. “Call that number or call information to get the number for a safe house for teens, if you don’t trust the number he wrote down. Take a cab, and if it’s not what you think it is, go to a motel for a night until you can figure out a safe place to go.”
I stood, knowing she wouldn’t believe me if I stayed there to force her to go or watch what she did next. I didn’t want her to feel like she owed us or would have to pay us somehow.
“Take care of yourself, Lisa. Trust your gut.”
My vision blurred and I didn’t think I could look at her anyway. Her face would be that of every single girl I had lied to. Sure, I had believed the same as they did, but I was the one who had convinced each desperate girl. It was me who had led them to their slaughter.
In no way would this ever correct what I had done, or the guilt that I felt whenever I closed my eyes at night. But knowing that Lisa had a choice, had some options, I felt I had made the first step in redeeming myself of the crimes I had unknowingly committed. Nothing would make me innocent again, but maybe I could take what I had learned and save one girl from the destruction I’d helped create with Remy.
Twelve
Alex
Cory and I walked a few steps before I turned around to double check on Lisa. I watched as she stuffed the money into her pocket and then stared down at her new phone. I had noticed Cory pull out the wad of cash from her purse and hand it to her. Cory’s hands shook as she clasped her hand around Lisa’s, and it tore at my very soul. That had been Cory at one point in her life. I was sure of it now.
It solidified why the Cory walking next to me was not the same bold, confident girl I had once known. Someone had broken her down and forced her to endure a life like Lisa’s—living on the streets, sleeping who knows where with no idea where her next meal would come from. That wasn’t even the worst of it. The fear Lisa’d had when she saw me with Cory had shattered everything inside of me. What had she gone through to become scared of seeing a man? My gut twisted at the thought of what Cory might have had to do to survive.
As I gazed over at Cory, she remained quiet while tears welled up in her eyes. I wasn’t sure if she would explain anything to me, but I was damn sure going to find out. Not only that, but I’d make sure the rest of her life was nothing like she’d had to live before.
The impulse happened so quickly, even I was surprised by it. Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, I grabbed the waist of my jacket she had on and pulled her to me. I held her so tightly I feared I might break her. Pulling back, I stared into her tear-filled, coffee-colored eyes and promised her, “Whatever you went through, Cory, whatever happened in the past—you’ll never have to go through any of that again. I swear to you I will always keep you safe.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to look away but kept returning her gaze back to me. I swiped at one of her cheeks before pressing my lips to hers. Her arms wrapped around me as she continued to sob. I held her on the sidewalk as people streamed by us and the cold night air engulfed us.
Cory pulled back and sniffled. “Thank you.” She nodded her head back to where Lisa sat. “For the food and the phone. That was really…” Cory choked up and swallowed quickly. “Nice of you,” she managed to squeak out.
I couldn’t respond; I wasn’t sure what to say. It wasn’t nice of me, it was the least I could do to help. “You gave her money. Did you give her everything you had?” I knew how much she was trying to save, especially after Cassie had told me she wanted all the shifts she could work. A small part of me felt bad for getting her cut from her shifts over the weekend. The other part of me hoped I could convince her she wouldn’t need to go back. Remembering how she’d always wanted to have her own bakery, walking distance from the house I’d build for us, with everything inside of me I wanted to be able to give that to her.
Cory offered a small shrug and a barely visible nod, confirming what I already knew.
We reached my car and I stood there for a moment wanting to say something, wanting to tell her she’d never have to worry about money again, but it seemed so out of place when there was a girl sitting on a park bench unsure of where her next meal would be.
Trust Me Forever (Forever Happens Series Book 2) Page 7
