Page 25 of Jig's Last Dance
I’m not sure, but I’d be stupid not to heed the warning my brain is screaming.
“Good. Have you heard from your brother?”
Shaking my head, I muster a smile, but the longer he ignores me, the more it stings. Yes, I’ve been a cranky teenager, but I thought we were in this together.
Apparently not. Maybe he resents me and the sacrifices he’s had to make, which does nothing to make me feel better about the situation, especially with Sal staring at me.
If he knew I was here, would he ever forgive me? Shivering, I move toward the stairs, hoping Sal will take the hint.
“Alice?”
With my back to him, I close my eyes. I’m tired. Can’t he just leave me alone?
“Yeah?”
“Come,” he says, and reluctantly I follow him into the study.
“I’m worried about your brother. Maybe I should have stepped in before. Is he working?”
“Yeah, he works at the factory in town.”
“Hm, he should have come to me for a job. What else? Is he dating?”
“No, not for a while. Um, not since before Dad died.”
“Okay, shame. He’s young. He should be enjoying his life.”
Shrinking in on myself, I acknowledge the sting of guilt. He would be if he weren’t taking care of me.
“I’ll be out late tonight,” he says, and I sag with relief. “We can talk more tomorrow, hm?”
Sal raises his brow, and I nod, following him from the room. From the top of the stairs, I glance back to find him watching me, and I turn away with a chill.
∞∞∞
By Friday, I’m crawling out of my skin. I’m used to coming and going as I please, but here in Sal’s home, it’s too far out to walk or catch a ride.
With still no word from Ben, I’m stuck. Although I’m grateful that Sal hasn’t said anything about me staying, there’s a voice in my head telling me not to linger.
Brooding in my room after school, I type out a text to Shawn and stand. Does Sal expect me to ask for permission to leave?
I guess I’ll bluff my way through until I have no other options. I am Bobby Patterson’s daughter, after all. Wearing my tightest pants, combat boots, and lowest cut shirt, I fluff my hair and touch up my dark makeup.
I look like a goth whore, and strangely, the sight pleases me. I choose to look this way, knowing I’ve never fucked a man. Men are pigs anyway.
I convinced Shawn to pick me up three blocks away, and I’m at the front door when Sal appears as though he was waiting for me. “Alice.”
Pausing at the threshold, I close my eyes before plastering on a smile. And with a serious sense of déjà vu, I grab the jamb and meet Sal’s dark gaze. Wasn’t it Ben lecturing me at the door not a week ago?
“Yeah?”
Sal glances down at my outfit, his mouth tight, and I shift on my feet. Thankfully, I don’t spy desire on his face, easing some of my fears on that front, but I know whatever he’s about to say is not something I want to hear.
Shaking his head, he says with a darkened brow, “Bambina, this is not appropriate attire. Where are you going?”
“Out. With my friends.” I raise my chin, but my legs are shaking in my damn boots. There’s something about his dark stare that has me on edge. I can’t decide if this is the Sal I adored or if that was a mirage too.
“Out?” He raises a brow.