Page 23 of Wicked Love

I kicked my heels off as soon as I entered the house, hurrying up the stairs leading to my bedroom. I fetched a suitcase from the walk-in closet and packed a bunch of clothes, not taking the time to check if they matched or were practical. My tears blinded my vision. My heart cracked in my chest. I had to get away from here. To disappear.

I removed the pins holding my hair, letting the blonde curls—that took an hour to perfect earlier—down and removed as much of my makeup as I could with a warm cloth.

I was done pretending to be someone else for my mother’s sake. I was done playing a part I had no interest in. And faking being happy when I was miserable.

I slipped my feet into a pair of sneakers and picked up my suitcase.

With heavy steps and an even heavier heart, I looked around and closed the door behind me before making my way downstairs toward Philip’s garage.

“Grace, where are you going? I’ve been looking everywhere for you. My dad asked me to find you for the pictures before they serve dinner. Where are you going? Why do you have a suitcase?”

Joe’s voice made me halt for a quick second before I resumed my run, not glancing at him.

“Grace? Wait up.”

I refused to look at him. To let him see how broken I was. The faster I got out of there, the better it would be for everyone else, including myself.

I shouldered the garage door open, but before it clicked shut, a strong hand looped around my waist and held me back, preventing me from escaping.

“Joe, let go of me.”

His grip on me tightened. “No. Where are you going?”

“Away.”

“But where?” Was it worry I could hear in his voice?

I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. If I leave, I won’t be a burden to anyone anymore. My mom. You.” My voice cracked. “It’s better this way. Goodbye.”

“No.” Without releasing me, he rounded me until he could look at me. “Explain yourself.”

In that instant, I wished the ground would open up beneath me and swallow me whole. “Please.” My voice sounded foreign and helpless. Like my heart. “I gotta go.” I refused to meet his eyes.

“No.”

Why couldn’t he mind his own business? I yanked my arm away.

His hands cradled my face, and he forced my eyes to level with his. His voice sounded gentle. As if he was afraid to break me more than I already was. “You’ve been crying? You untied your hair and removed your makeup, and I’m certain you’re about to commit a felony by stealing one of my dad’s cars. Talk to me.”

I forced hardness into my words. “Go ahead. Snitch on me. I don’t care.” I grew walls around myself. Joe wouldn’t gain access to my heart this time around. I was done taking bullshit from people who were supposed to love me and care about me.

His face twisted with some emotions I couldn’t define, and when he leaned in, he chose a set of keys from the hooks by the door.

“Come on.” He pulled at my hand. “Someone upset you. I’ll drive your getaway car. Let’s break free from here.”

“Why? You’re not coming along. I won’t let you get into trouble for me.”

Joe snorted. “As if it would be the first time. Anyway, I’m driving whether you want it or not. You’re in no state of mind to sit behind a wheel. Please…let me.” He picked up my suitcase and dropped it on the backseat of a black SUV.

“Nice ride.”

He winked, and it dissolved some of the tension around us. “Jump in, girl.”

After hesitating for a long minute, I hauled myself onto the passenger seat, blowing out all the air lodged in my lungs.

“Where are we heading?” the boy beside me asked, a crooked smile shaping his lips.

“No idea. Just keep driving. I wanna leave tonight behind.”