Page 4 of Unbound

“Shit,” I curse under my breath.

We pass a sign for a McDonald’s at the next exit. I put my blinker on and take the exit ramp.

“I can always go for a cheeseburger.”

2

EDEN

The McDonald’s menu is lit up in the darkness. My head is pounding, my vision blurry. I try to read the numbers beside the pictures of the food.

“Order whatever you want,” Sterling says.

I’ve never seen a more attractive man in my entire life. He’s so scary-looking, and for some reason, I find that hot. Just another thing to add to the list of reasons I’m completely messed up in the head.

My mama was right; I’m a lost cause.

“I’ll take a double cheeseburger, large fries, and a Sprite, please.”

I hope it’s not too expensive because I spent the last of my money two days ago on a bag of potato chips.

“We’ll take two number sixes with extra ketchup.”

I lick my lips, and my stomach rumbles again. I’ve been on the verge of passing out all day from hunger. I rub my belly under the rolled-up sweatshirt.

The first trimester symptoms hit me with a vengeance about a week ago. It was a bad time to run away from my boyfriend, but when he strangled me and elbowed me in the face, I knew it was only a matter of time before he hurt the baby.

Sterling pulls around to the drive-through window and hands the woman his credit card. He must have two because the other one is still in my pocket.

My gaze travels over the bulge of his muscled arm. He took off his jacket a few minutes ago, revealing his broad shoulders and veiny forearms. My mouth is watering from more than just the smell of the French fries.

Because you’re a whore.

I shove my toxic inner dialogue to the back of my mind.

We wait in silence until they hand us our food. When Sterling sets the brown paper bag in my lap, I dig in.

After I carefully hand him his food and two packets of ketchup, he smiles at me. “Eat. It’s better hot.”

I wish it weren’t so quiet in here, but I’m too hungry to care that much. I’ve never gone this long without food. When I was with Michael, we never had much, but there was always something.

Now that I’m growing a baby in my belly, it’s like I can’t stop thinking about eating. The nausea is worse on an empty stomach. The only thing I even want to eat is fast food and carbs.

I dig into the burger. I almost moan when my teeth sink into the bread. It tastes better than anything I’ve ever had in my life. When I shove a handful of French fries into my mouth, I swear I hear Sterling chuckle.

I glance over, only to see him shoving his burger into his mouth too. Maybe I imagined it.

After I devour the entire double cheeseburger and the French fries, my eyelids feel heavy. I sip on the Gatorade he bought me. I don’t want to drink too much, or I’ll have to pee. I’m probably dehydrated.

The baby needs prenatal vitamins and more calories. My mom was pregnant almost my entire life, so I know a lot about what it’s like. Being homeless and stressed out could lead to birth defects or even a miscarriage.

But going home is not an option. I come from a religious family, who has very strict morals and values. Getting pregnant out of wedlock is one of the greatest sins in my parents’ minds.

I lay my head back against the seat. Sterling has been quiet since we got our McDonald’s. I glance over at him, curious about the scar through his eyebrow.

Why do I feel so safe with him?

After getting pregnant by Michael, I don’t trust myself. Sterling could be just as bad, if not worse. Getting into his truck was a decision I made out of pure desperation.