Ashley Cooper's Arc

Chapter 23 of 37

Mike texted that he could reach the hotel by noon. Ashley watched the door, but her father's rules still trapped her. Danny had told Mandy to keep her inside. Ricky guarded the parking lot like a hired watchdog. Ashley stood at the window and saw him leaning on his truck, red flannel open, arms crossed. If she wanted Mike, she had to get past that man first. Mandy pulled on her jacket. "We're out of soda. I'm running to the store." She kissed Ashley's head. "Behave. Ricky's watching." The door clicked shut behind her. Ashley sat on the thin mattress and waited. A soft knock came. She opened the door, and it wasn't Mike. Ricky filled the frame, beard damp, eyes tired. "Your dad called again," he said. "He wants you home tonight." He stepped inside without asking. "You're a good kid, Ashley. Don't throw it away on a boy who runs." Before she could answer, Ricky moved closer. He set one thick hand on her shoulder. Then he leaned down and kissed her, quick and rough, tasting of coffee. Ashley shoved him back, disgusted. "Get off me!" she screamed. The door banged open. Mike stood there, jersey soaked from the rain, chest heaving. He saw Ricky's hand still on Ashley's arm. His face went dark. "Get away from her." Ricky turned, laughing. "Go home, kid. This isn't yours." Mike didn't stop. He crossed the room fast and drove his fist into Ricky's jaw. Ricky stumbled, cracked his head on the corner of the dresser, and dropped. The lamp fell. The room went still. Blood pooled under Ricky's black hair. He didn't move. He didn't breathe. Ashley knelt beside him, shaking. "Ricky. Ricky, wake up." Her bone hand pressed his neck. No pulse. She looked up at Mike, and her whole life tilted. "He's dead. Mike, he's dead." Mike stared at his own knuckles. "I didn't— he had his hands on you." His voice broke. "They'll say I killed him. They'll lock me up." Outside, tires hissed on wet pavement. Mandy would be back any minute. Danny wanted her home tonight. The police would come. Every road Ashley knew led to a cell. She stood. She grabbed her phone off the mattress. "We have to go. Right now." "Ashley—" "There's no explaining this." She took his wet hand with her bone one. "You came for me. I'm not leaving you." They ran down the stained hallway, past the roach on the wall, out into the rain. Mike's car sat crooked by the curb. Ashley threw herself into the passenger seat. Mike's hands shook on the wheel, but he started the engine. The tires spun, caught, and hurled them onto the road. Ashley finally had what she wanted. She had Mike beside her, choosing her, no wall between them. But a dead man lay in that hotel room, and now they were both running for their lives.