Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Everyone needs a hobby,” says Hana with a smile.
Muriel sits back in her chair. “This is about keeping that bastard in jail. But it’s also about helping people. Thoughts and prayers don’t do a damn thing. You wouldn’t believe how many cold cases there are in this country. Let alone how many women go missing each year.”
Hana nods soberly.
“So…Ryan’s control over Sidney was slipping,” continues Muriel. “And for him, we believe, it’s all about control.”
“He was really going to kill you,” repeats Noah.
I raise my face. “Yes.”
“How old were you?”
“Nineteen.”
“You were just a kid.” He stares at me for a moment. Then he gestures to the walls. “This is why you stay in town?”
“Yes.”
He turns to Hana and says, “Thank you.”
“No problem. Have a nice ride on your motorcycle!”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” he says to Muriel. “Thank you for letting me intrude on your Sunday.”
We all watch him leave. The heavy tread of his boots on the hardwood floor and the sound of the door closing shut behind him. He’s the first person outside of our group to ever see this room and all the evidence of our almost decade-long obsession with death. And he didn’t run screaming, which I am willing to take as a sort of win.
Muriel sighs. “I can’t believe he ma’amed me. Though he does have excellent manners.”
“Yeah. I really wasn’t prepared for how much hotter he is up close,” says Hana. “But I thought it went well. Don’t you think it went well?”
“Jury’s still out on that one. Did you tell Sidney you were bringing him in here?”
“I didn’t even know I was going to do it,” says Hana. “But then I saw him standing there and just thought…fuck it.”
Muriel snorts.
Hana frowns in my direction. “Sidney, say something. I can take you salty, but I can’t handle silence. Are you mad at me or what?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?” she asks. “You look like you’re experiencing big feelings.”
“I am.” I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “But this is a good thing. He has all of the facts now and can make an informed decision as to whether he ever wants to talk to me again. Thank you.”
Muriel’s eyes widen for a second time today.
“You know, I refused to let Ryan control me. But that’s exactly what I’ve been allowing the situation he caused do to me for years.”
Hana nods sadly. “Yeah.”
“Women often carry the shame for things they didn’t do. The question is,” says Muriel, “what are you going to do about it?”
I get to my feet and stand tall. “Who wants a margarita?”
CHAPTER FOUR
No matter the question, day drinking is always the answer. Our laughter and music meant I didn’t hear the noises coming from outside until the late afternoon. No idea how long Noah’s been in my backyard. No idea why he’s in my backyard. Though the axe in his hands and pile of wood sitting neatly to the side offer some strong hints.
I grab him a beer out of the fridge. Hospitality was important to Grandma, and she trained me well. There’s a hopeful smile on my face as I head on out and hand over the ice-cold bottle. It’s got to be a positive sign—him being here performing manual labor.
“Just dealing with the tree limb that fell down during that storm,” he says. He looks like lumberjack porn come to life, standing there all sturdy and strong in his jeans, boots, and a tee. So many muscles. Just all the muscles in all the land.
“I did call a handyman. Was just waiting for them to call me back and arrange a time.”
He downs a mouthful of beer. “Now you don’t need to worry about this. Just get them to replace the broken palings on the fence and your smashed mailbox.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
There’s a fire pit made out of stone and a couple of Adirondack chairs. It’s peaceful and private and all mine. A green space to sit and stare at the flames or look up at the stars. But not yet. The sky overhead is streaked with the colors of sunset. Orange and pink, violet and blue. I turn in a slow circle, taking it all in. It’s like the world is putting on a show.
“How was your ride?” I ask.
“Good. Took Route 2 through the islands. It gave me time to think.” He narrows his gaze on me. “Have you been drinking?”
“Yes.”
“That explains the party I heard happening inside.” He smothers a smile. “Did you have fun?”
“We really did.”
“Good. Hana and Muriel gone now?”
I nod and sit my ass down before I fall down. Alcohol may or may not have been the actual best answer to my particular set of problems. But today was a heck of a lot of fun just the same. A dandelion grows in the grass beside my chair. Obviously, the universe wants me to make a wish. I blow on the dandelion and squeeze my eyelids shut tight.