“Why? Because you told her she couldn’t sell that painting? So what? She had others.”
I ran a hand through my hair, taking out my frustration on the strands. “Probably because I fired her.”
Shay’s mouth dropped open. “Brody…you didn’t do that because of me, did you?”
“No. I did it because I can’t trust her.” I let out a laugh devoid of any warmth. “I don’t think I ever could. That’s the most messed-up thing of all. I think she’s been manipulating things, swinging them in her favor since day one.”
Shay wrapped her arms around my waist. “I’m so sorry. That’s not a truth that’s easy to come to terms with. But sometimes, we need those wake-up calls. And it will make you appreciate the people in your life who do have your best interests at heart.”
It was the first time she’d been the one to initiate this kind of contact. The first time an embrace had been her doing. My arms moved around her, one hand dipping under her fall of hair. As wild as it was at the moment, it was still so incredibly soft. Strands of silk. I rested my chin on top of her head and breathed her in. Hints of lavender that must’ve been in her lotion or shampoo. It soothed some of the torn edges of the morning. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked against my chest.
“Just this.” I held her a little tighter as if to show her.
“It’s never a hardship to wrap my arms around you, Brody.”
I grinned into her hair. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“And I missed hugs.”
My arms spasmed around Shay at the knowledge that she had missed this simple human contact. “I’ll give you one anytime you ask.”
18
Shay
Evergreen13: Then what happened?
Phoenix26: Nothing. We had breakfast. Then he had to get on a call with his lawyer.
Evergreen13: I almost never say this, but I’m disappointed in you, Phoenix.
I scowled at the screen. I shouldn’t have even started down this path. E was too nosy. Always trying to push me to broaden my horizons. I must’ve taken too long to answer because all of a sudden, the chat app was ringing. I froze. We’d never talked to each other face-to-face. But I couldn’t resist hitting accept.
Evergreen’s face filled my screen. She was both what I expected and not. Beautiful enough to grace the cover of any magazine but with a unique edge. A number of earrings lined her ears, and the delicate script of a tattoo peeked out from behind her left lobe. “I figured if I called without asking, you wouldn’t have a chance to think of all the reasons not to pick up.”
“You know me too well.” I would’ve invented a million and one reasons for why it was a bad idea. But now here she was, in front of me, and I felt like I would’ve recognized her anywhere. Maybe because we’d shared some of our hardest things. Or simply because she’d been with me on this journey when I’d left everyone else I’d known behind.
“Now, are you gonna tell me why you haven’t made a move on enigma hottie?”
I shook my head but chuckled. “He’s less of an enigma now. Kind of like you, I feel like I’ve known him forever.”
E’s expression gentled. “Must be good stock, then.”
“Must be.”
Her lips twitched. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice that fact.” I sighed when E stayed silent. “It’s too risky. For a million different reasons. Even if he weren’t my boss, I just can’t.” Because if Michael found me, the first thing he would do was hurt the people I cared about.
“You can’t stop living because of your brother. He doesn’t know where you are. And chances are, he’ll end up back in jail before the end of the month.”
I hoped she was right. As soon as the thought entered my mind, guilt flooded me. I should’ve had optimistic hope that Michael had been rehabilitated. But I would’ve been lying to myself. I saw it in his eyes during the last visit I’d made to the facility. The gleam when he’d brought up our parents, saw the pain on my face. He would always enjoy hurting me. Especially when I was the reason he’d been caught. Why he’d been locked away.
“Just promise me you’ll give it some thought,” E said, bringing my attention back to her.
“Give what some thought?”
“Making a move on that man.”
I groaned. “I’ll think about it.” Who was I kidding? I hadn’t been able to think of anything else.
I shut the door to the storage shed, taking a moment to lock it behind me. Not for fear of human thieves but critter ones. Raccoons and other creatures were crafty with their paws when the chicken feed inside called to them.
I turned to head to the greenhouse and caught sight of Sam heading towards me. “Coming to visit the chickens?”
“They do make good friends,” he said with a chuckle. “But I was actually coming to see if you wanted to meet up at The Catch this Friday.”
I struggled to find a kind way to say no. And figured honesty was the best I was going to get. “No, thank you.” Because as much as I was beginning to let people into my world, I had zero interest in going on a date with anyone. That was a kind of vulnerability I wouldn’t be ready for anytime soon.
“No, thank you?” He said the words as if he were confused.
“I appreciate the offer, though.”
A hard glint flashed in his eyes, and he moved closer. “You fuckin’ your boss?”
I stiffened. “Who I do or do not have sex with isn’t your concern. I don’t know you. You don’t know me. Now, please back up. I have work to do.”
Instead of stepping away, Sam moved in even closer, crowding me against the door of the shed. “Maybe you should get to know me before you say no to a date, then. It’s rude.”
My breaths came quicker, each one tripping over the next. I didn’t do well with feeling boxed in. Feeling like I had no way out. “Step back,” I gritted out.
“Or what?” he said with a sneer, leaning in even closer so his face was right next to mine.
I moved without thinking, a decade of self-defense classes springing to life in my muscle memory. I brought my knee up hard and fast. But Sam must’ve had some sixth sense because he moved at the last second, meaning I got more thigh than balls. He slammed me against the shed door. “What the hell, you crazy bitch?”
The combination of being trapped, the stars dancing in front of my eyes, the panic, it all sent me spiraling back. I fought to stay in the here and now, but I couldn’t quite hold on.
Hot tears tracked down my cheeks. “Michael, let me out. Please!”
His laughter sifted through the cracks of the trunk where it rested in the old attic. “I thought you wanted to play.”
“It’s not fun anymore. Let me out or I’ll scream.”
Michael had been in trouble so many times over these past few months, I knew our parents would ground him for sure if they found out that he’d locked me in here.
“Scream away. You know they won’t hear.”