One night, I got him drunk enough to sign the divorce papers, which was the only reason the state was able to make me testify against him in court.
I wanted to wash my hands of the whole situation and walk away clean. Instead, the last words he said to me when they took him away were “This isn’t over.”
So I set up the alert on my phone, and I can’t help looking over my shoulder. Still, I’ve tried to act like everything is normal… And I had a house alarm installed.
My chest is tense and my shoulders ache. I know that asshole better than anyone, and if he said it, he’ll do it. I don’t know when or how, but I know he’s looking for us.
I hope by moving here and staying off social media, we’re hidden. At least we’re out of state.
I chose Newhope because friends would talk about it like it was the best place in the world. It’s a beautiful small town on the coast with flower boxes on every window and trees that light up with twinkle lights every night like a promise, a hope of a better life.
Then Dylan became my friend, and now we’re practically part of the family. Still, it’s not a guarantee of safety.
Stepping back, I cross my arms, evaluating the library. “I think we’re ready for prime time.”
“Prime time is typically between the hours of 8 and 10 p.m.,” Edward notes.
Smiling, I carefully place my hand on the top of his shoulder, doing my best not to crowd him. “You’re right. We’re ready forschooltime.”
The serious expression on his face relaxes. “It’s a very nice display.”
“Thank you, Edward.”
“Thank me, too!” Kimmie skips up, having neatly placed the cards I gave her on the shelves. “I helped!”
“Thank you, too, Miss Kim!” I give her a squeeze, and she lifts her chin with a proud smile. “Now, who’s ready for lunch?”
They both light up, and I grab my bag. We’ll lock up and head to Cooters & Shooters for lunch and to check in with everybody.
“Raven wantsto bring Haddy home for Halloween.” Dylan is in the kitchen reading the face of her iPad Pro when we arrive.
Her brother Hendrix is a tight end for the Los Angeles Tigers, and he and his wife Raven and their two-year-old daughter Haddy all live in LA.
“Hey, baby Haddy!” Kimmie runs to the counter, bouncing on her toes and waving at the screen.
“It’s a group chat, Peanut, not FaceTime.” Dylan leans down to kiss the top of her niece’s head.
Kimmie’s shoulders drop, and she frowns up at her. “How long until Halloween?”
“October thirty-first,” her aunt replies.
Kimmie looks like a mini-Dylan with their matching amber eyes and curly, dark brown hair.
“She wants to know all our favorite movies so she can put together a girls’ movie night,” Dylancontinues.
“That sounds fun!” I take lunch fixings out of the industrial-sized refrigerator. “How about grilled cheese sandwiches with grapes and apple slices for lunch?”
“Not with Aunt Deedee’s spicy cheese.” Kimmie’s face scrunches.
“Got it.” I put the pepper jack back in the fridge. “Only sharp cheddar—sound good, Edward?”
He enters the room through the screen door at the back of the kitchen. A gray cat is against his chest, and he pets it slowly.
“Yes, ma’am, although Miss Gina asked if I’d help her with her new batch of kittens after I helped you in the library.”
“More kittens?!” Kimmie squeals. “Aunt Deedee, we need another kitten to play with Smokey—then he can have a friend!”
Dylan holds up a finger. “One. Tell her we’ll take one more kitten, but that’s it.”
