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don’t want to pull her into this mess. She’s the only solid person I’ve had in my life and I’d hate for her to get hurt just for being a wonderful friend to me.
    A few seconds later the bathroom stall opens and out walks the guy Jeanette had been eyeing at the library, the same guy she said stood her up last night.
    “ Nice to see you again, Layla,” he says as he wipes his mouth with his hand and makes his way to the door.
    “ I’ll see you at the bar, Mama. Don’t keep me waiting because I’ll be fucking that pussy tonight,” he warns before he leaves.
    “ God, that man knows how to use his mouth. The name ‘Saint’ really fits him—I’m pretty sure I heard angels singing when he did this little trick with his teeth. I was working on my third orgasm before you busted in, you little cock block,” Jeanette grumbles. She tries to get her dress back under control. God, I love her. I can’t let my life rain down on hers.
    “ Jeanette, I totally saw Justin out at the bar and I really don’t want to face him tonight.” The lie rolls effortlessly off my tongue.
    “ I was hoping to take Saint home with me tonight but if you want to head out I’m down with that too. This is girls’ night anyways; we can do a sleep over my place…oh, and stop at Taco Bell,” she says.
    “ No, no. I know you’re really into this Saint guy and I’m actually feeling tired. I was hoping to slip out the bathroom window so I don’t have to talk to Justin at all. He saw me come in here so I’m sure he’s just waiting for me to come out. I can’t deal with this tonight, especially since I’ve been drinking.”
    “ You’re going to sneak out the window?” Jeanette asks, widening her eyes and looking at me like I’ve lost it.
    “ Hey, you were getting it on in the bathroom stall so no judgment, okay?” I respond, hoping she’ll get on board. She can’t stand Justin so I’m sure she’s down with the idea of us going back out there and telling him to beat it.
    “ Please, you owe me after dumping him with my phone,” I beg.
    “ Fine, if you want to crawl your ass out the window, have at it. Text me when you get home. And text me the cabbie’s ID number too,” she says as she starts to fix her smeared lipstick.
    “ Hmm…one more favor, Jeanette. Can you wait, like, five minutes before you leave the bathroom, just to be safe? Just to make sure he doesn’t try to run out front or anything,” I ask and give her a pleading look.
    “ Lays, it’s freaking Justin . He’s not going to cause a scene,” she says exasperatedly and turns to look at me. Her face softens and I’m sure she can see my distress. Luckily she doesn’t know the real reason for it. “All right, I’ll stay in the bathroom.” I cross the tiny space and wrap her in a big hug, not knowing if this will be the last time I’ll see her. I’m not totally sure what I’m going to do once I get out of here. My options don’t seem that great.
    “ I love you,” I whisper, squeezing her harder before she can pull away.
    “ Oh Lays, I love you too. Text me, okay? Maybe breakfast in the morning?”
    “ Okay.” It’s all I can say around the lump in my throat.
    Taking one last look at Jeanette, I slip out the window and flag down the first taxi I see. As promised, I text Jeanette the cab number as I give the driver my address.
    It’s only a twenty-minute ride back to my house and when I finally make it home I know what I have to do. The time for running is over. I’ve made a life here, and I’m sure if I run again it’ll only be a matter of time before Carter or my father catch up to me once more. Did my father send Carter or is he here on his own? I don’t think my father would hurt me. He loves me. What kind of man could hurt his own daughter? I just can’t let myself believe that, even if I’m lying to myself.
    I also run the risk of them hurting Jeanette to try and get to me. That was the final nail in the coffin of my decision to