I nod pleasantly and lie down with my head on my pillow. They’ve moved me back into my old bedroom, now that I’m able to function.
Mom pulls back the covers that I’m on top of and I wiggle until she frees them, then she places the blanket around me and tucks me in like I’m five years old. Leaning down, she gives me a kiss on each cheek and stands.
“Good night, Annabelle.”
“Good night, Momma.”
Greg gets the green light to take me to the mall.
He doesn’t seem too thrilled about it, but I can’t say I blame the guy.
Well, until he calls me a retard under his breath, then I want to punch him in the face.
I’ve maintained the guise long enough at this point though, I’m not worried that people are suspicious. I’m not as vigilant as I once was, and I don’t think I need to be.
“I think something engraved,” I tell him, gazing out the window. “Something silver. A picture frame.”
“Sure,” he says, giving zero fucks.
I gasp. “Oh no, I forgot to get money from Paul.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’ve got your money.”
The rest of the ride is pretty quiet. My wheels are turning as I watch out the window, debating what to do. I’d like to make a break for it if I get a chance, but I don’t know how to go about it. Not the running part, that’s pretty self-explanatory, but where will I go that they can’t find me when I don’t even have any money?
Today isn’t about escaping, it’s about taking note of everything I can, seeing what kind of leeway Greg gives me. The thought of having to go back there tonight is absolutely withering, but I’m also aware that if I escape, Liam won’t know where I’ve gone and then I definitely won’t see him ever again.
It’s hardly a deciding factor though. A bummer, yes, but I don’t trust my mother or Pietro and I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep up the pretense of being drugged stupid.
My plan at the moment is to figure it out as I go.
That’s the plan.
Until I’m walking through the mall toward the store where I’m supposed to pick a gift, and I spot Liam in the middle of the corridor, letting some young guy chat his ear off about switching cell phone providers.
My stomach sinks. My heart leaps. I miss a step.
But he’s here.
He’s here.
I’m afraid I’m dreaming. I’m afraid I’m drugged up and I just don’t know it. I’m afraid I’m at my mother’s house with a needle in my vein and none of this is real.
My feet struggle to maintain a normal pace when all I want to do is bound over to him and leap into his arms.
I can’t keep the grin off my face. Fortunately, it goes along with my happy-go-lucky little self, but every second that passes in such close proximity, but unable to speak to him, feels like an hour.
I walk into the store, heart slamming in my chest, and I try to act normal. I don’t know what his plan is anyway, and I don’t want to alarm Greg.
I can’t concentrate on the task at hand. I wander around looking at gifts, trying not to look out the window, trying not to draw attention.
But oh my God.
He came for me.
I could literally skip with joy. Greg, not so much.
I’ve been in the store for ten minutes and he’s already sighing impatiently at regular intervals.