Farrah
“I’m not a child!”
My dad stared me down. “Really? Because you’re acting like one.”
“Why is it so hard for you to admit I’m all grown up? I’m not a kid anymore, Daddy. I want to go on dates, do things other girls my age are doing.”
“Like drugs and getting knocked up?” he asked.
“You’re wrong for that and you know it. I’ve been around drugs my entire life and know better than to touch the stuff. As to the other, I can’t very well get pregnant if you won’t let me date.”
He waved a finger at me. “Now you’re getting it.”
“It’s not fair. I want a boyfriend. A life! You’re suffocating me.”
My mom placed her hand on my dad’s shoulder. “Venom, you can’t keep her locked up forever.”
“Dammit, woman. What the fuck is it going to take for you to call me by my name? Been together eighteen years and you still use my road name.” He cast her a glare.
“Don’t take your anger out on me unless you want a case of blue balls,” my mom retorted.
I winced, not wanting to think about their sex life for even one second. I wasn’t stupid. I knew why the doors were locked sometimes and we couldn’t get in the house, not to mention they weren’t exactly quiet. It was romantic, sort of, and gross at the same time.
“I’m leaving, Daddy. You can’t stop me.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Fine. You want to leave? Pack your shit and get out, but whatever money you have is all you’re getting. You can take your truck, your clothes, and that’s it. When your phone plan expires, I’m not renewing it. We’ll see how long you last out there on your own. It’s a hard, cruel world, Farrah.”
My mom blinked back tears and I hated doing this to her, but I couldn’t live in this cage another moment. I hoped she’d forgive me someday, and my daddy too. I loved him, more than anything, but I needed to spread my wings and fly. He had Mariah and Dawson if he wanted to smother someone.
I stomped down the hall, grabbed two bags from my closet, and started filling them. Clothes into one, other essentials into the second one. I slid my laptop into my backpack, along with some photos and other things I didn’t want to leave behind. I shoved my shoes into another one. I couldn’t bring myself to look my parents in the eye as I carried my stuff to the truck. I went back inside long enough to get my purse. Mom handed it to me, heartbreak written all over her face. I felt like shit hurting her this way, but it needed to be done. My heart felt heavy as I took out my keyring and removed the house key. I set it on the table inside the front door and walked out, hoping I hadn’t made a huge mistake.
At eighteen, I knew I had a lot left to learn, but I’d never get to experience anything if I stayed. The Dixie Reapers were my family, and my daddy was their VP. I’d led a life most would envy, but I couldn’t sit back and watch the world pass me by another moment. The only kisses I’d had were with boys at school. My dad had never permitted me to go on dates, or do much of anything outside the compound unless he knew exactly where I was, and I knew he had a tracker on my phone and my truck. If I’d lied to him, he’d have known about it.
My eyes misted with tears as I stared at my childhood home. I saw my mom peeking through the curtains and gave her a little wave. I hoped she understood and could talk my daddy into letting me come home again soon. Not to stay, because I was ready to stand on my own two feet. But I wasn’t ready to walk out for good. The thought of never coming back here nearly gutted me.
I pulled out of the driveway and headed for the gates. It was bittersweet pulling through them. Once I hit the highway, I didn’t look back. I had no idea where I was going or what I’d do to put food on the table and keep a roof over my head, but I’d figure it out. I passed through the Florida panhandle, then drove into Georgia. I could have stopped by the Devil’s Boneyard and bought myself some time, but I knew Scratch would call my dad the second I showed up there. No, it was better to keep moving.
My neck and back started to ache as I crossed into Blackwood Falls. I knew the Devil’s Fury lived in the area, so if I got into trouble, they might help me. Stopping for a bit seemed like a good idea. I found a motel, got a room for a few nights, and decided to make a plan. I’d need money before too long, which meant finding a job. I dug around in my purse and pulled out a white envelope with my mom’s handwriting on the front. For an emergency.
Peeking inside, I saw a few hundreds. If daddy found out, he’d be pissed as hell, but I was grateful she’d looked out for me one last time. I got back in my truck and drove around town. There wasn’t a lot open this time of night so I pulled off in front of the diner. Some hot food would help. I was tired and starving, which made it more likely I’d make a rash decision I’d later regret.
A waitress waved at me. “Sit anywhere you want. I’ll be right there.”
I slid into a booth by the window and picked up a menu tucked behind the napkin dispenser. Once I’d decided on food, I set it aside and studied the town through the window. It was small, much like home had been, but at least it was a change of scenery.
“What can I get you?” the woman asked as she hurried over.
“The special, a sweet tea, and a job.” I smiled.
“New in town?” she asked.
I nodded. “Just got here tonight. I’m staying at the motel for the moment, but I thought I’d see if I could find some work around here.”
“You come back tomorrow before lunch. The manager will be here and he’ll be able to help. We’re short-staffed so it may be your lucky day.”
I smiled and thanked her, thinking maybe I’d made the right decision after all. I had to hope the Devil’s Fury didn’t ask me to leave. If my dad tracked me here, and I knew damn well he had the ability to do so, he could very well place a call and have me run out of town. I hoped he wouldn’t, but if he thought it would teach me a lesson, I wouldn’t put it past him.
I pulled my phone from my purse and sent a message to my little sister, Mariah. I’m safe and have a place to stay for the night. Love you.
I saw the dots blinking across the screen and waited, but they stopped and a message never came through. It seemed my dad wasn’t the only one angry with me. She’d get over it, and once she got older, she’d understand. I had no doubt my dad would eventually suffocate her too with all his rules.
I was free. I breathed in the scents of the diner and felt the tension in my body ease. For the first time in my life, I was on my own, in charge of my own destiny. I hoped I didn’t fuck it all up.