“I had deals coming at me from all directions, movie deals, television deals, and Netflix must have contacted my agent several times in just one week. It was a dream I didn’t see coming. It wasn’t like I’d set out for that career. I kind of fell into it. I had an idea and was fortunate enough to be able to transfer it to paper. When the book proved successful, I did set my dreams on that award. I did everything right, worked so hard, sometimes I went on nothing but fumes, so when it came down to me and just one other, I could taste it. When it was announced that my story had won and I saw the pride in my parents’ eyes, well, it was the best day of my entire life.” I could see she was no longer talking to Bri. She was lost in her story as she looked out the window, sipping her wine as she watched the snow create a whiteout all around us. “Then all in one day, it came crashing down.”
“How?” Bri sipped her own wine, completely engulfed in Spencer’s story.
Spencer looked at Bri then at me as though she wasn’t sure if she should continue. She made a decision and began to speak again.
I sat back as she told her own story about her career and what had happened. I could easily see the draw she had on people. Her talent for storytelling was undeniable. She completely engulfed you into her world.
“I let my brother back in.” She rolled her wine glass between her hands. “It only takes one comment, one misstep for the press to shred you like an old invoice.”
“What did he do?” Bri asked softly.
“He was buying coke from people around me, and when he got caught, he blamed it on me, said he was buying it for me. Even though no one believed it, it was the spin the press needed to find a flaw in me. Everyone loves drama, and he handed it to them on a silver platter. Before I knew it, I was left with an award, a newspaper clipping, and four pulled contracts. My name was ruined, my readers turned their backs, and I was finished.”
“I think I heard something about that but didn’t pay much attention to it. Media hype isn’t my thing. Couldn’t you just have continued to write but under a different pen name?”
“I could have, but my parents had been through so much, and I thought it was better to leave it alone. Shortly after all that, they were killed, and I couldn’t function, anyway. I tried therapy, but it did nothing but make me question why the hell I was telling a stranger my problems.”
Spencer popped a cracker in her mouth and washed it down with a large swig of wine and laughed. “So, I found a new way to get my story out. I started ghost writing. I thought I could take all the darkness away by putting it into words and make an income for myself at the same time.” She paused, and something dark flashed over her face. “But now look where my writing led me…right into the hands of a killer. See the luck that follows me?” She downed the rest of her glass and stood.
Bri mouthed to me, “I’m sorry.”
I shook my head.
“If you don’t mind,” I addressed Spencer, “I’m going to go shower.”
“Of course.” She nodded.
I left the girls to continue their talk. I knew the wine would help them both relax and get to know one another better. God knew Spencer needed an outlet, and Bri was actually a good person to talk to.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Spencer
Blake was out on the deck trying to take a call from his brother Henry in spite of a poor signal while Bri and I sat in front of the fireplace eating off a snack plate I had made up. I was down on the floor wrapped in a blanket leaning against the couch, while Bri was tucked in the corner at the opposite end.
“Do you have even the slightest inkling why the killer chose you?”
I shrugged and bit a grape in half. “Honestly, that is the million-dollar question.”
“Do you think he knows you personally too?”
I shook my head. “How? I’m untraceable.”
Her eyebrow rose. “Trust me, I know that no one is untraceable.”
“Then why haven’t you found him yet?” I challenged.
She grinned. “I didn’t say it was easy.”
We went back to our silence, thankful the sound of Blake’s voice helped with the awkwardness. I strained my neck to see him. He was covered head to toe in snow. He must have been frozen, standing in the middle of a storm in order to take a damn phone call. I wasn’t sure why he didn’t just use the bedroom or the library.
“Don’t hurt him, okay?” she whispered, and it took me a moment to hear her.
“Ha,” I half laughed. “He’s gotten the same pep talk from the two lesbians next door.”
“Okay.” Several expressions at once flashed over her face, but one stood out more than the rest—unmistakable pain.
“You still love him.” I wasn’t asking; it was obvious.
“Sadly, I do.”
As much as that bothered me, I put myself in her shoes. My heart broke. “Bri, do you have dibs?”
Her eyes snapped to mine. “If I did?”
I wanted to cry. “I would step back.”
Her face begged to fall. She wanted to break. I wanted to break. “You wouldn’t fight for him?”
I leaned forward for a piece of cheese for something to do as I fought to tightly close the box on my feelings. I did not want to expose my vulnerability to her. Then the conversation took an unexpected turn.
The skin around her eyes crinkled as a tear leaked out.
“Shit.” She leaned back and brushed away the evidence with a single swipe of her finger. “You’re perfect for him.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. I would fight for Blake. I realized that now, but the truth was that I also knew I had a lot of heavy in my life. He had enough of that with his job.
My glass was nearly empty again, and so was my energy. Today had been long and emotional, and I needed time to recharge for whatever the hell tomorrow would bring.
I showed Bri the guest room and where the towels were before I knocked on the window and motioned to Blake I was heading to bed. He held up a hand, indicating he’d be five more minutes.
A cold rush of air found me when he snuggled up behind and held me close against his front. He kissed behind my ear and sighed like he loved being next to me.
His hand slipped around my stomach and inched up to cup my breast. I wiggled my bottom into his erection and arched my back, wanting him to touch more places. He chuckled behind me before his lips met my shoulder and brushed butterfly kisses along the top.
“Oh, I have something of yours,” he said softly as he peeled his warmth away and the chill brushed over me. A moment later, he dropped something cold into my hand.
“Oh, my God, Blake!” I lifted my head to get a better look at my father’s watch. I had lost it a few months ago. “Where did you find it?”
“Your brother had it on him. It fell off when I brought him in after you were attacked. Thought it needed to come home again.”
The sting that my brother had stolen something of our father’s was there, but I channeled the flash of anger and energy on the fact that it wasn’t pawned for drug money.
“Thank you so much!”
I turned in his hold and stared up into his dark eyes. I felt so many emotions at once. The strongest was that I wished my parents could see me with Blake, see that I was truly happy, and minus what was going on right now, I was right where I was supposed to be. I wished they could see the smile that reached my eyes and bounced back to my heart. Blake filled a void I didn’t even know needed to be filled, and now I knew only he could.