Failure

Laina

Benji looked over his shoulder at me. His jaw was tight, and although he didn’t speak, I knew what he was trying to tell me. Stay put. Don’t do anything stupid.

Ginny shuffled up tight to my side. I thought for a moment I could feel her pulse in her grip when she took hold of my hand, but I realized it was my own quickening heartbeat I was feeling. It fluttered at my neck, my wrists, my fingertips.

Benji tipped his chin in a get-the-hell-out-of-here sort of fashion. “Mason’s not around, Sid. You should get back to your car. The race is about to start.”

Sid chuckled and his boys followed suit.

Sheep, I thought bitterly.

Sid took a few swaggering steps forward. “You know, Benjamin. Of all the fools who hung around with Mason, you were always my favorite. You’re good at keeping your hands clean. You know? You’re a problem solver. A practical man. It’s a shame you’ve aligned yourself with scum.”

Benj