Free Charming by Krystal Wade Page B

mom’s been away for two years; they still love you. You attend that school—”
    Haley slipped her hand free and balled it in her lap. “People don’t love me there.”
    “I doubt that very much.” Stretching out, Chris turned on his side. “How is the school?”
    “Boring.” Boring and packed with bodies and not challenging enough to hold her attention. “But fine.”
    “Guys?”
    “Are you asking me if the school has guys, or are you asking something else?”
    He scooted a little closer, his body heat reaching across the few inches between them and assaulting her with desire. “Something else.”
    Haley shook her head. Down, desire. Down. “No guys.”
    “Good.”
    For who ?
    “How are your dad and sister? I see you at work, but how are they holding up?”
    Could Chris genuinely be interested in her? Could this boy who lights farmer’s pastures on fire, who street races, who hangs out with guys who drink and do drugs, could he really enjoy sitting in her presence? Did it matter?
    “They’re fine.” Lie.
    “Sounds like there’s more going on there than you’re willing to admit.”
    Could she tell Chris? Could she unload her family’s secrets on him? Would people believe anything he said if he took it upon himself to share? Probably not with his reputation. Especially if she lied her way out of any investigation. Maybe a little. Maybe she could give away one small piece of truth to Chris Charming, to someone, anyone. “You have no idea.”
    “Tell me?”
    “Well”—Haley glanced at the clock. 11:59. How did that much time pass?— “Shit. I have to go. I just got over being grounded, and I’m going to be late.”
    No way would Dad beat her up again. Not so soon. Not ever.
    She jumped to her feet and hurried through Chris’s room, but before she could escape, he grabbed Haley’s hand and pulled her back to him so that they stood chest to chest. “Let me drive you. I’ll tell him it’s my fault.”
    Shaking her head, Haley prayed he couldn’t feel her trembling. “I… thanks… but I have his truck and I have to go right now.”
    The gold ballet flats Jocelyn gave Haley kept sliding from her feet as she ran down the stairs and out the front door. So she removed them, ran with them in her hands all the way to the truck. She pulled onto Amherst Street and drove as fast as the truck would allow.
    Haley’s cell phone lit up and danced along the leather seat. She glanced at the screen.
    Want to hang out at my place tomorrow ?
    Only if Dad didn’t beat the shit out of her, ground her, or do something insane, like, kill her.
    I’ll call .



aley parked the truck out front instead of in the driveway, anything to keep the rumbling engine noise away from Dad. She snuck in through her window to avoid running into him, to avoid ruining the high flowing through her bloodstream.
    Chris held Haley’s hand.
    Chris talked to Haley like a human being, treated her like a human being, wanted to be seen with a girl who fell from grace, and actually seemed relieved by her presence. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as she thought?
    Carefully removing the dress, Haley got ready for bed, a weightlessness carrying her from the closet to the dresser. She slipped into a pair of pajama pants and a tank, then crawled onto the squeaky mattress, hugging the soft, downy pillow.
    Her hand caught the edge of something sharp, something square and oddly like paper, something that made her turn on the light. Another note. Grinning, Haley tore it open.
    “You’re welcome ☺“.
    For the first time in two years, Haley knew she was about to fall asleep without crying, without fear and loneliness eating her alive. The last time she felt this good, this free, was… Haley dug into her memories while staring at the ceiling, trying to find something, but nothing compared. Because, before Mom died, she’d never experienced real pain. She’d never suffered long enough to appreciate good things. Now? Now Haley had suffered enough for