Page 66 of If You Want Me

I washed it.

Aurora

Why did it need washing?

Hollis

I found it on the floor.

Aurora

Why did it end up on your dresser?

The dots appear and disappear several times.

Aurora

Did you do naughty things to my scrunchie?

Hollis

Go to sleep, little girl. You have class in the morning.

That’s as good as a yes.

Aurora

Can you say that again in a voice message?

I hold my breath as I wait to see if he’ll respond. A minute later, a voice memo appears.

His rasping command sends a shiver down my spine. “Stop pushing my buttons, Princess.”

I listen to it on repeat while putting Batdick to use. And come twice.

CHAPTER 18

HOLLIS

Princess

Do you need anything from the store?

Hollis

It’s late and dark. Why are you going to the store?

Princess

It’s a two-minute walk. I need chips.

Hollis

What kind of chips?

Princess

The kind I don’t have in my apartment.