Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
I exhale. “Not really. They have me locked down. Jeremy’s gone full psycho and apparently wants to murder me, so club security is the big plan. Also, Travis talks in his sleep and said some other girl’s name, which is just... honestly, the cherry on top of my shit sundae.”
“Whoa, back up—he what?” Reagan’s voice is almost shrill.
I choke out a laugh, more broken than funny. “He literally said, ‘Amber, I’m sorry, baby’ in his sleep. And when I confronted him, he said it wasn’t what I think but can’t tell me right now. Is that not the sketchiest shit you’ve ever heard?”
Reagan is quiet, which is never good. I try to fill the silence, but she jumps in first. “Look, Vi, two things. First, are you sure it wasn’t some weird dream gibberish? Like, dudes are morons—maybe he had a nurse named Amber or some fling that went wrong.”
I want to believe that, so badly.
“I don’t think so. He said he would tell me, which means he knows it is something more than just a name. Something just feels... I don’t know, off about it.”
“Talk to him, honey. It’s all I can say. It’s the only way. Just talk to him. Now, let’s move on to Jeremy, because holy fuck. Is he violent? Like, he’d really come for you?”
My hand finds my cheek, cold against hot skin. “Yeah. Sally said he was basically threatening me as he walked out of the office. And he has been known to do crazy shit before, remember.”
“I remember, but I figured that was just grief and hurt. This... this is a whole new level of crazy. Do you want me to come there?” Reagan’s voice drops, protective. “Because I will. I have a bat and my car is big enough to run over any asshole that gets in your way.”
I let my head flop back. “No, just talk to me, okay? Distract me. Say something inappropriate.”
She’s silent for a beat, then, “I did sext my boss by accident last week. While sober. So it’s possible your tragic life is still less embarrassing than mine.”
It catches me off guard, the laugh that comes out. “Well, who was the text for?”
She goes quiet. “Harley.”
“Girl!”
“I know, it’s just new and...”
“You’re a bad, bad girl, Reagan.”
She laughs. “In all seriousness, maybe don’t jump to evil conclusions about Travis. Maybe Amber is, like, his goldfish that died tragically.”
I snort. “I just, I don’t want to be lied to anymore,” I exhale, staring at the tiled floor. “I feel like I’m always the last to know everything. Sometimes, I feel scarily alone.”
There’s a shuffling sound, then Reagan’s voice, quietly stern. “You’re not alone. You have me. And Chief. And, despite his significant emotional drawbacks, even Travis. Just focus on not getting murdered right now, okay? We can deep dive the Amber mystery when you’re less of a walking target.”
“Copy that,” I say. “Love you.”
“Love you, idiot. Call me if anything happens. I mean it, Vi.”
She hangs up. I sit in the hollow silence. My whole body wants to cave in, but I force myself to stand. I can’t hide in the bathroom all day. When I finally come out, the hallway is empty except for the faint smell of burnt toast drifting up from the kitchen. I follow it, almost on autopilot. My feet pad down the old wooden steps, every creak and groan of the house making me jumpy, like Jeremy might burst out of the pantry with a gun.
The kitchen is empty except for Travis. He stands at the counter, his back to me, head bowed low like he’s reading a ransom note. When he notices me, he straightens, smoothing his hands over his hair. He holds a mug of coffee, the chipped corner facing out. The toast is still sitting in the toaster, burnt, as I assumed. He is lost in his thoughts.
I take a deep breath. “Can we talk?”
He sets the mug down and turns to face me. “About last night?”
I stand on the other side of the island, putting the granite and four feet of space between us. “Who is Amber?”
His jaw works, like he’s trying to stop himself from speaking. “I want to tell you. I do. Just not yet. But I promise you, it’s not what you think. She isn’t... It’s not an affair, or a chick, or anything like that. I know this is hard, and I’m not lying to you, Violet, but I need time with this. Can you give me that?”
I want to. I really do. But every cell in my body is screaming he’s lying, this will ruin you, you know it.
But I nod, because what the hell else am I supposed to do? He said he will tell me, and I have to trust that he will. “Okay.”