games | g.d

chapter 3

I try to enter the house as quietly as possible—an attempt I've made before and tragically failed—but when a strong wind picks up, the door snaps closed.

"Sloane!" yells Ezra a second later, running toward me, with Jax at his heels.

I roll my eyes at Ezra, but I drop my shoes and give him a hug as he spreads his arms to receive me.

"Hi, cutie," I say to Jax, picking him up. "Where's Mommy?"

Jax looks at me and giggles, touching his lip with his tiny fingers. I give him a little tickle and face Ezra. "Where's Mom?"

"In her room. She's reading," he says giddily.

I smile. Sometimes my mom would get fierce headaches that interfered with her vision and stopped her from reading—something she loved to do. Whenever she picks up a book, it's a good sign.

I head over to the room with Ezra at my side. My mother has her reading glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, her eyes moving microscopically as she scans the words on the page.

"Hey, Mom," I say.

She looks up at me and smiles. "Baby," she says, and pats the empty spot next to her on the bed.

I give her a kiss on the cheek before sitting and leaning my head on her shoulder. Jax struggles to get out of my arms, so I let him free to crawl on the bed. Mom runs her fragile fingers through my hair, the way she always does.

"Where did you get that shirt? I've never seen it on you before," she asks.

"My shirt got messed up at work. One of my friends gave it to me."

"Ahh," she says, her smooth voice sending warmth down my spine.

"How are you feeling?" I say.

"I'm okay today," she sighs.

"That's good," I say. I give her the plastic bag I brought with me, almost forgetting that I had it. "I got you the new medication, Mama."

"Really?" She takes the bag and checks the contents, then holds it against her chest. "Do you know what this means, Sloane? I have another chance." Her eyes well up with tears. I smile and pull her into a tight hug, rubbing her back as she laughs.

"I love you so much, Mom," I say.

"I love you too, baby."

And even though I have to lie to her every day, keeping her and my brothers healthy and safe and happy is better pay than the money I receive every night.

I tell Ezra to get her a glass of water as I help her unwrap.

—

"This is good, Brandi," Mason says. "Really good."

He hits me in the face with the stack of money.

"I am a little concerned about your overnight stay," he says, slightly touching my face. I cross my legs tightly so that he doesn't get the urge to touch me where he's not welcome.

His hand grazes my leg, making me shiver in disgust.

He laughs. "Aw, come on, Brandi."