Page 84 of Jackass

I slammed my hand on the table, causing Carrie to jump. “STOP!”

I knew I was drawing attention. The few customers sitting at tables looked over at us.

Except Jingles. If I had any doubt it was him, that just confirmed it.

The barista came around the counter. I knew what she was doing. So, I held my hand up.

“I’m so sorry. I just needed to get her attention. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

She gave me a look that told me the next time I was gone. I nodded and looked at Carrie.

“I don’t know what has gotten into you.” She opened her mouth to speak, and I held my hand up. “No, you need to listen to me. Jack, Blade, King, every one of those men would give their life to keep Charlie safe. I will not let you sit here and talk about them like they are wicked men. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

I took a deep breath.

“Jack told me why Beck punched you. You are lucky she pulled that punch. A few months back, she beat the shit out of a man who tried to rape her. She went easy on you.”

I took a sip of my coffee. I needed a moment to calm down before I asked her what I needed to. Then, we would have to talk about Derek.

“Charlie told me you said something mean to Tabby.”

Carrie shrank back.

“Who’s Tabby?” she asked.

She never lifted her eyes from her cup. She knew who Tabby was, and she knew what she said to her.

“Why did you do it, Carrie? Why would you tell that little girl she was stupid because she didn’t talk?”

“Because she is.” Carrie sneered. “How does a three-year-old not know how to talk?”

“Carrie, you do not know what that little girl has been through. That could have been Charlie if you hadn’t helped us get away. I am so disappointed in you.”

“I’m sorry, Sam. I haven’t been myself lately. When Jack found out about Charlie, you disappeared from my life in an instant.”

“I know, and I am sorry about that. That was my fault, not Jack’s. I will make more time for you, I promise. But you will need to apologize to Beck and Ryder.”

She nodded, but didn’t say a word.

“Tell me about Derek. What did you mean when you said it was worse than you told me? Why wouldn’t you tell me everything?” I asked.

“I wanted to protect you. I didn’t want you to be in fear all the time, so when a note came, I told you enough for us to move.When we got to Nebraska, I thought he had finally given up. Everything was perfect until Jack found out about Charlie.”

I looked at my friend. Something wasn’t right. I could see now what Jack was talking about. I didn’t know what it was, but I wasn’t sure I believed what she was telling me.

How would Derek know who Jack was? Unless he had been here for weeks. But if he had been, why hadn’t he done something already? Derek wasn’t a patient man.

I looked at the time on my phone.

“Carrie, I have to get back. Jack will know by now that I’m not at work. I don’t want the others to get in trouble for my actions,” I told her.

Jingles stood from his seat and stretched. He gathered his trash and walked to the door. He never looked at me.

I stood up, and Carrie followed. We walked outside to my car. I didn’t see Jingles’ SUV, but I knew he was waiting for me to leave so he could follow me back to Diamond Creek.

“Sam.” Carrie grabbed my hand. “Please don’t go back. Come with me. We can get the authorities to go get Charlie, and we can leave. We can make a new life somewhere else. Just the three of us.”

“Carrie, no. I am done running. My life is here now. Jack wants us to be a family. He wants to get married and have more babies. He wants to give me everything, Carrie. He loves me.”