Bad Parts by Brandon McNulty

Author:Brandon McNulty [McNulty, Brandon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952703027
Publisher: Midnight Point Press
Published: 2020-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

45

Ash woke to knocking. She lifted her head. Sunlight blasted her through a window. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but her hip and shoulder ached like hell. Pushing herself up, she felt her fingers slip between plastic trenches. They felt familiar. Her brain swam, wondering why.

Then it hit her.

The van’s floor had plastic ridges.

The van…

She heard snoring beside her. Turning her head, she saw Cheeto. His face lay hidden under his hair. She started to sit up, and the blanket slid from her shoulder.

Her bare shoulder.

They were both naked.

No. Hell no.

But it wasn’t a dream. They’d fucked last night. How could I have been so stupid? Now they were more than bandmates. This would wreck the whole group’s dynamic. Their onstage chemistry, their off-stage interactions, their songwriting, everything.

The knocking came again. At the back door.

In a panic, Ash donned her jacket and zipped it. The lining iced her bare flesh. She pulled her jeans on and crawled to the back door. She opened it a crack.

“Morning, girlie.” Candace flashed a smug grin. A gun-shaped bulge poked from her jacket pocket. “Care to explain why you’re parked on my street?”

Ash rubbed her eyes. “When I wake up, I’ll tell you.”

“You think this is funny?” Candace smacked the door. It woke Cheeto with a start. “Because I don’t. I want to know why you’re here, so close to my house.”

Ash couldn’t think straight. Her messy mind wanted to make threats, apologies, everything. Pressuring Candace could backfire and cost Dad his knees, so she decided to play smart. “Went for a late drive. Parked here because I wanted to talk to you first thing in the morning.”

“It’s morning. Now talk.”

“I…” Ash rubbed her temple, racing to find the right words. “I wanted to ask about getting Dad home sooner. For Thanksgiving dinner.”

“He stays twenty-four hours. No exceptions.”

“But—”

“No exceptions.” Candace ripped the door open. Icy air flooded the van. Cheeto fussed, then wrapped himself in the blanket. Candace sneered at him and then faced Ash. “I’m giving you and your father one last chance. You hear me?”

Ash glared back.

“Wipe that ugly look off your face.”

Ash held her glare.

“Here’s how your day’s gonna play out,” Candace said. “You and your boy toy here will drive home right now. No detours, no passing Go, just straight home. Then you, him, Trent, and Lauren will remain there until sunset. I suggest you enjoy the holiday and save some leftovers for your father. Whatever you do, stay in the house. And know this: I’ll have two people watching your house. If they catch you leaving, your father hits the highway.”

Thunder cracked through the void in Ash’s chest. She opened her mouth to argue, but Candace talked over her.

“I also have people stationed at the creek till sunset. If you or anyone else goes up there, same deal with the highway. So if you have any special plans, cancel them. Do I make myself clear?”

Ash said nothing.

“Do I make myself clear?”

“Snare isn’t the one trapping people. You are.”

Candace smirked. “Keep talking.

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