Page 2 of Camera Stays On

She frowned and scrunched up her nose.

“Ray, my mom’s boyfriend. He was mad he had to t-t-take me. He’d already started drinking.”

My fists clenched at my sides as I connected the dots. That asshole. I’d seen a dozen or more men come and go from next door. Each worse than the one before, but I’d never seen them hit Purdy until tonight.

“Was that the only time he hit you?” I asked.

“Come on, lay off it, Ash,” Sawyer groaned. “Let’s have a good time.” He glared at me, and I could almost hear his thoughts.

Let me get my kiss.

I huffed and stepped up to the counter. We got our tickets, and I bought popcorn for the three of us to share and started toward the theater. I stayed a pace behind, my blood racing hot. I couldn’t go into the dark theater and sit for hours, watching a movie, knowing that once it was over, Purdy would have to go home to that drunk and a mom who didn’t care.

“Let’s sit in the very back,” Sawyer encouraged, pausing by the bathrooms. “I’ll meet you in there. I gotta piss.” He darted into the bathroom, and the rest of our group went into the theater, where previews were just starting.

Purdy and I sat in the last row, silently staring ahead.

“How many times has he hit you, Purdy?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she whispered.

I looked toward the doorway. Any moment, Sawyer would come in and join us.

“Purdy, I—” I turned to face her, and she did the same. The previews lit up her face, enough to see her makeup was ruined by her tears. Something about the vulnerability in her trembling lips made me lean forward—my heart beating loudly in my ears—and press my lips to hers. The kiss was simple, and only lasted a moment, but in that bit of time, I’d memorized the feel of her full lips, the salty taste of her tears, and the butterflies in my stomach as I pulled back and saw her look of surprise turn into a smile. Something in me grew bold, and I knew I had to do something about her situation. Ray wasn’t going to get away with this.

“Stay here,” I whispered and got out of my seat.

“What? Asher!” She started to stand, but I put my hand up and brought my pointer finger to my lips.

I pulled my mask from my hoodie and slid it over the top of my head. “I’m going to grab Sawyer, and we’ll be back. If anyone asks, we’ve been here the whole time.”

I hurried out of the theater before she could protest. Catching Sawyer in the hall, I pulled him aside and whispered my plan into his ear. His eyes widened, and his face paled.

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not. Now put your mask on and let’s grab our bikes.” I slid my mask all the way back over my face, and we left through the back, unlocking our bikes and hopping on them.

I kicked the kickstand up and turned back to my little brother.

“Ten minutes to get there, then another ten back. We’ll be in our seats before the first act is over.” My words were muffled through the mask, but he heard me. He nodded, and we started the ride back to our neighborhood, the switchblade in my pocket burning a hole through my jeans. We were going to give her mom’s boyfriend a scare he wouldn’t forget anytime soon.

WE SLID INTO the theater an hour later, our hair damp and our clothes changed. Our trip hadn’t gone entirely as I’d originally imagined, and we had to make some quick changes. We’d ditched our masks and made sure there wasn’t a drop of blood on us as we came in.

“Why are you still holding that thing?” I snapped as Sawyer bumped into me with his stupid camera. He ignored me and kept moving.

No one looked up from the slasher flick playing on the screen, except Purdy. She clocked us and sat up, staring as we walked down the aisle to her.

“Sorry we’re late.” Sawyer stuffed the camera back into his backpack and sat down on her left, forcing a smile. He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and settled into his seat as if nothing were strange. Purdy looked at me, eyebrow raised, waiting for an explanation. I shrugged and smiled back, sitting to her right. My fingers twitched, wanting to hold her hand, but a sharp pang stung my chest as I saw her clinging to Sawyer’s. I inhaled deeply and rested my head back, closing my eyes for a moment.

This was not what I’d planned for tonight, but...I had zero regrets. Fuck that guy.

Suddenly, the warmth of her hand covered my chilled one, and I lifted my head. She’d let go of Sawyer. We shared a look for a moment, and her eyes dipped to my lips, causing my stomach to flip with delight. She wasn’t interested in my brother. She liked...me.

Sawyer watched us through jealous slits. Suddenly, he gripped Purdy’s shoulders and turned her back to him. In a flash, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.

“You’ll always be mine, Purdy.”

He spoke to her but looked at me while he said it. Purdy moved away quickly, but Sawyer threw his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. He rested his head in the crook of her shoulder, staring hard at me. For the first time in my life, I was scared of my little brother. He seemed to age right before my eyes. As if what we’d done just an hour ago had turned him into someone else. It was clear by the daggers his eyes were throwing my way, and by how tightly he was hugging her, that he saw me as a threat.