Chapter 2Erased

"I got hurt when you dragged me with the car."

A flicker of guilt crossed his face, but it was fleeting. "Well, at least it's just an injury. That tattoo is the proof of our love. Make sure it doesn't get damaged."

"Right," I said, the word tasting like ash. "I know."

His expression softened, satisfied. "Good. Get ready. We're leaving soon."

The moment I settled into the passenger seat, a small bear-shaped air freshener on the dash chirped in Lila's sultry, sweet voice.

"Kissy kissy, handsome. Have a beautiful day!"

George's face tensed. "It's just a stupid gag gift she recorded. Don't read into it."

"I'm not," I said, my voice a monotone as I turned to stare out the window, remaining perfectly still.

I had to. Because my foot had just brushed against a tube of lipstick wedged under the seat.

Lila's favorite brand. Her signature shade of crimson.

But I wasn't going to say a word. I just wanted to pretend I hadn't seen it. I was leaving soon; there was no point in starting another pointless fight.

Halfway there, George started texting. He'd forgotten his messaging app was synced to the car's display.

LilaTheCat: When are you getting here, handsome? I'm starving.

George: Again? I thought I fed you in the car just now, you greedy little thing.

I stared at the screen, my mind numbly trying to picture them feeding each other snacks in the car. Then, like a switch flipping, another image burned into my mind.

The lipstick under the seat...

Fed you in the car...

Oh god. They hadn't been talking about food. They'd done it. Here. In this very seat.

A wave of revulsion, deep and visceral, churned in my stomach. I, a notorious germaphobe, felt utterly defiled.

"Stop the car," I choked out.

The moment it slowed, I shoved the door open and threw up on the side of the road.