I Can't Own You? (BOOK 1)

70 (NEW)

I think they bought the lie. For a second there, I felt that Sam was going to reveal that I got mixed up with illegal money, hitmen, and a drug dealer. Maybe he thought on this ruse, or maybe he made it up on the spot. Either way, it's brilliant. And then again, it wasn't. It's only part of the story.

My parents aren't safe. Where can they go? What if the car comes back...and they get threatened? None of us can stay at the house.

All because of me.

Sam is hurt because of me.

A deep lump wedges into my stomach, and my throat vibrates; warming up as if it's a furnace.

I observe my parents as they take in the information just unloaded onto them. Hoping it passes their detection test. I hope so, because revealing the actual truth is going to break me if it doesn't.

How would mama and daddy view me afterwards? I shiver at dark scenario.

Yeah...change the subject, think about something else.

The words "good noon" resonates in the back of my head. My dad had said this when he came in. Hmm...why is it ringing a bell? My brain blast travels to a phone call...the prank one pulled by a backstabbing friend. Naka. He had said good noon. That's why the words are familiar.

Ugh, let me call the asshole.

I take a deep breath; this catches my parents attention. My mom nears me. "I know this wasn't easy to say. It's unbelievable, but now that we know, we can help you two tackle it."

"I'd like that..." I say, half distracted. "I gotta make a call."

"Naka?" My dad guesses, still somewhat riled up.

I roll my eyes. Is it that obvious? "Yeah, he has to know, even though he's a jerk."

"Okay, you go on and do that." My dad gives a rushed grin. As I depart, I notice him share a look with Sam. I could see a glint of understanding. A glint of a want for revenge. They're going to plan something while I'm out of the room.

I hope they don't try to have a shoot out with the driver. We can't stay at that house even if we have guns.

At the main office of the hospital, I dial a number I know by heart. As the ringing drones on, I watch as patients are rolled down the hall, some even stroll by themselves, all wearing gowns and weary with sickness. An old lady steps slowly down the hall, looking around as if she's lost. The patient jiggle at a few door knobs, confused while listening carefully to the other side of the door.

Could this have been the culprit of my room scare?

"Hello?" The voice of Naka snaps me out of a conspiracy.

"Hey...it's me." I can't fight a strange tone I have-a dreading, bitter, yet friendly one.

"Reba told me what happened, I was on the way, but she asked me to wait...to give you time. How are you guys?"

I close my eyes, keeping them that way for a long while. "Scared," I admit truthfully. "My parents house isn't safe."

"Tell me."

Most people would ask: tell me what, but I know what he means. "There's a...stalker situation. A guy from New York tagged Sam and me here..."

"WHAT?!" Naka's rage stings my ears, even from the phone. I feel his blood boil. "Chris this isn't good!"