The Peach Pits

Chapter 15

Mae sat at the kitchen table in Jesse's apartment. Even though she'd showered for the better part of an hour, she still felt dirtier than she ever had in her life. It was the sort of dirt that was in her soul, and she'd never be able to cleanse no matter how much shower gel or shampoo she scrub all over her body. She felt like she was floating, like this all was some bad nightmare and she'd wake up at home in her bed. No such luck. 

Gabe sat down across from her at the table. When they'd shown up, disheveled and covered in blood splatter, he'd only seemed little shocked at Jesse's story. She wondered how many other stupid things he'd seem Jesse do to feel so calm. "Look, I know you care, but he's dead now. You killed him," Gabe said calmly.

Was that some sort of advice? Because it sure as hell didn't make her feel any better. Mae didn't acknowledge him, She stared at the same spot on the table she'd been staring at since she sat down. 

"I told you Jesse was going to get you into trouble," Gabe continued coolly. "I didn't think this would happen. But he doesn't know when to stop. It's just one thing after another until he eventually does something he can't come back from. And now he's dragged you into it too."

None of that mattered now. She wasn't sure if she'd ever want to see Jesse again but they were intertwined now, tethered by this secret that would surely end her life if it ever got out. Jesse was outside, cleaning up his truck. Mae hoped it took him all night. She didn't want to look him in the face.

"I don't know what he told you, but he doesn't love you. I don't think that boy can love anyone."

"I know," Mae said harshly. She was stupid about a lot of things, but she hadn't thought for once Jesse loved her. Apparently, that hadn't done anything to save her from getting caught up in his trap. She might as well have been any other girl she would've called an idiot for being in the same situation.

"I owe you the truth, though," Gabe said. "This is kind of my fault." Mae wished he would shut up. She didn't care anything about the truth now. When she'd asked, she hadn't gotten it so as far as she was concerned, the only truth that mattered was that she was a murderer. That was the truth that was going to ruin her future before she even got to build it. 

Gabe folded his hands on the table. "You see, Jesse usually helps me bring girls into this little... thing I have going on. I didn't think he'd take a liking to you, though. He told me not to involve you."

Mae hoped that wasn't supposed to redeem Jesse. He was a piece of shit and as far as she was concerned, so was Gabe. Now, Mae understood why Jesse worked at the diner even though he didn't need the money. Clearly, it was an easy place to prey on girls who were short on money and desperate to get it, and she'd been the dummy he'd chosen. And, unfortunately, she turned out to prove him right. 

Mae stood up and walked to the bathroom. She shut the door and then went to sit on the toilet. At least in here, no one would talk to her and she could be in the dark alone. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't cry. Maybe that was fair, though, since she didn't deserve to cry. She wasn't the victim. She wasn't going to wake up to the news that one of her family members was dead. Everything that happened was her fault. They were her stupid, selfish choices that she now had to live with.

The door opened. The light flicked on and flooded the room. "Mae, come out of the bathroom, you've been in there awhile." The sound of Jesse's voice made Mae's skin crawl. He shut the door behind himself.