Heart-On: Turf Wars #2 Bella Jewel (books for 10th graders .txt) 📖

Adan, and Hank at the door. Mom and Devin turn and, when they see them, Devin’s smirk widens. “Really, Ramona? A biker gang. I thought you more creative than that.”

“I couldn’t care less what you thought, so long as you go the hell away,” I say. “I really don’t care how they make that happen.”

“If you so much as step towards us,” Devin tells Riggs, “I’ll call the police. We’re already being harassed as it is, you wouldn’t want assault charges on your record, now, would you?”

Riggs grins at him. “I don’t need to touch you, to make you disappear.”

Devin looks a little shook by that, thank god. So he should be, too.

“Just leave and we’ll have no problems,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm.

Devin looks to me. “I won’t be leaving, and if we have problems, you’ll know about it. You didn’t think we were so stupid as to not cover all our bases? We’re covered. If one, or both of us go missing suddenly, you’ll all find yourselves in some very, very hot water.”

I clench my teeth together. Just as I suspected, he’s thought this all the way through.

“You can leave now,” I say to Devin. “Oh, and I’ll have you know I’ve made a will, if something does happen to me, everything I own will go to someone I have selected. You didn’t think I would be so stupid as to not cover all my bases?”

Devin’s face goes red.

I’ve finally hit a nerve.

“That money belongs to me,” he growls.

“Yeah, no, it doesn’t,” I say. “It belongs to me. Bye, Devin.”

“This isn’t over,” he says, holding my stare. “You have no idea just how much this isn’t over.”

“Great speech, see you later.”

His face goes a shade redder, and then he turns and walks out with my mother trailing off behind him, but not before she looks back at me and scowls.

“Bye, Mother,” I say in a sing-song voice. “Don’t trip on your way out, you can’t afford to lose any more teeth.”

She hisses a curse at me and leaves.

I look back to the group staring at them go, then they look to me.

“Well, there you have it. You’re now familiar with the circus I grew up in.”

I turn and walk toward the door. I really need to get myself packed up and find somewhere to stay, mostly I can’t bear to be stuck in the same room as Adan for a second longer. I just need to get this over with. I’m meeting with my lawyer today and will have the money redirected to a safe place if I die, a place that Devin can never, ever touch it.

I have also decided to buy myself a small house, nothing major, just something that’ll make sure I don’t have to pay rent the rest of my life. Better to pay your own house, than someone else’s.

“Ramona.”

Adan’s voice comes from behind me as I walk out the front door.

God dammit.

I need a drink, a stiff drink. Maybe five.

I turn slowly to face him, keeping my face blank. “What’s wrong?”

“You tell me?” he says, stopping in front of me.

“I found another job, I need to take it.”

God, what a horrible liar I am.

“You didn’t find another job.”

I cross my arms. “Are you a mind reader now?”

“No, I just know you didn’t. I’m not fuckin’ stupid. You’re leaving because of somethin’, but fucked if I know what that is.”

Ding, ding, ding. That’s the problem right there.

“You don’t need to understand what the problem is, you just need to know I’m leaving. I have nothing against you, I just need to create a different path.”

He stares at me. “Tell me the fuckin’ truth for once in your god damned life, Ramona.”

Oh, fine.

“Do you see any kind of future with me, Adan?”

He narrows his eyes. “What the fuck kind of question is that?”

“An honest one. Do you see any kind of future with me in it? In any way? Or do you see your future going down the same path it’s going right in this second?”

“You’re not makin’ any sense. I am who I am, Ramona. You know that.”

“Yes, I do. Which is my point exactly. We want different things.”

“You’re talkin’ in fuckin’ circles,” he growls, stepping closer. “Speak up or move the fuck on.”

“I am moving the fuck on!” I yell. “That’s exactly what I’m doing! You’re the one out here demanding answers.”

“Because you won’t fuckin’ give them to me!” he roars, throwing his hands up. “Fuck, what do you fuckin’ want?”

“You, Adan. I want you. Fuck.”

I turn and jog off.

I can’t face him.

God, I can’t face any of this.

Is it over yet?

Tell me it’s over.

EVE CLAPS. “WE’RE GOING camping.”

“Camping?” I frown.

“Camping.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why?” She laughs. “Because it’s fun.”

“It is not fun. What is fun about it?”

“The night sky, the ocean, the fire, the laughter, the drinking. It’s so much fun.”

I shake my head. “Bugs, bugs, oh, and bugs!”

“Stop being such a princess, Ramona. Come on, it’ll be fun. We’re all going.”

“We’re all going,” I mutter. “Meaning the bikers.”

“Yeah, most of them anyway. Come on, don’t you need to get out and just enjoy yourself? I know I do. There is nothing better. Please come, I don’t want to go without you.”

I exhale. “I don’t know ...”

“Please,” Eve begs, grabbing my hands. “They’ve hired this awesome boat, we’ve got this great camping spot on a nice little island. It’ll be so relaxing.”

I mean, I wouldn’t mind lying in the sun with a vodka in my hand.

But ... Adan.

Still, I can’t hide forever.

“Fine, I’ll come.”

“Yes!” Eve squeals, jumping up and down. “We’re leaving tomorrow, but we’ll go shopping this afternoon and find some sexy things to wear. It’s going to be so much fun.”

“Is it, though?” I say, giving her a side eye.

“It will be, stop being such a baby.”

“Adan is there.”

“You can’t avoid him forever. You’re my best friend and I’m with Riggs. You’re going to see plenty of him. You just have to try and