Problem Child (Jane Doe #2) - Victoria Helen Stone Page 0,44

bit of a blind spot, which is how he ended up with me.

“So you think a guy named Little Dog is looking out for the safety of a teenage girl to the exclusion of the rest of his life?”

“Okay. Maybe not.”

I feel a sudden surge of lust mixed up with something I don’t recognize. Longing? “So what are you up to?” I ask, trying for some sort of flirtatious affection. “You’re not cheating on me, are you?” I’m sure he’s not, but it’s good to let him know I’m checking.

“Jane, come on!” He laughs like cheating on me is the most preposterous idea he’s ever heard, and I smile at the sound of it.

“You basically broke up with me before I left, so pardon the question.”

“I didn’t break up with you. I asked you to move in with me. There’s a big difference.”

Maybe my anger made me play this all wrong. I should have been working his feelings to my advantage from the start, and instead I was being pissed off about it. I need to keep him tied to me as long as I want him. I need to pull him close even if it disturbs me in ways I don’t understand.

“I love you,” I volunteer. It’s a rare declaration, usually gasped out during sex, because that’s my only real form of intimacy.

“Aw, babe,” he sighs. “I love you too. I’m sorry we fought, and I’m worried about you. That’s a lot to take on down there. Even if you think you’re doing okay, you’re probably absorbing a lot of damaging crap, and that’s hard on anyone.”

I should be sure to act vulnerable now. He’ll want to protect me. I don’t need it, but I want him to protect me. There’s no one else who’d even bother.

“My mom talks about Kayla like she always talked about me,” I offer. I haven’t told him much about my family. The truth is leverage, and I never give anyone that. But today the truth is a tool. “She calls her a whore and a slut. Says she doesn’t care what happens to her.”

“I’m sorry,” Luke says, and he means it. I’m glad he feels sorry for the little girl I used to be, because all I can do is hate her for her stupid softness. If Kayla is soft, I’ll hate her too, but there’s still a chance she’s something more. I’m getting hints of it but no proof.

“Were they . . . ?” He stops, then tries again. “Were they happy to see you? Or was there drama?” Luke knows all about drama, thanks to his mother. Only a damaged person would be attracted to someone like me, so I don’t mind.

She wasn’t mean or neglectful like my parents. Luke’s mom is mentally ill, though she refuses to admit it or get help. She was a whirlwind of intensity when he was growing up. Manic and obsessive and focusing all her energy on Luke and his brother. That’s why he likes my cool remove now. I’m a gentle breeze on burned skin.

“There wasn’t much drama,” I finally answer. “My mom just wanted money, of course. But my dad seemed sort of happy I dropped by. He told me I looked good.”

“That’s nice.”

I grin at the absurdity of that one passing comment making things okay. “I’m sure I’ll get my notice about the homecoming parade they’ve arranged any moment now.”

“Have you seen anyone else you know?”

“Just my jailbird brother.”

“Right,” he says on a chuckle, and I’m laughing too, thrilled that he sees the humor in it and I don’t have to hide my morbid giggles. It’s all so ridiculous.

“What’s your next step?” he asks. “Have you talked to the cops?”

“No. I can’t imagine I’ll bother. I know exactly what they think of troubled teenage girls. They can say she ran away, put her picture up on a website, and wash their hands of it. I’m checking out a couple of other leads tonight. If nothing pans out, this may be the end of it.”

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Call me again tonight?” I can tell by the purr in his voice that he wants more phone sex, and I’m sure I’ll be in the mood to give it to him, but better to leave him hanging for now.

“We’ll see.”

We sign off just as I pull up to the grocery store, which is doing its best to compete with Walmart by offering a drive-up pharmacy and “free cones for all kiddos!” I head right inside and