Spencer: Be careful.
“I’ll let you know what I find,” Bri muttered. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Okay, bye.” I hung up and wondered if I should be at the station or here. They wanted me to stay at home every so often to keep the killer on his toes if he indeed worked at the police station. I knew I was safe, but there was still a part of me that felt like I should be there to help flush him out.
“I heard some beavers were making babies on the beach.” Kim’s head poked in the sliding glass doors.
“Yeah, Shannan was kept very entertained by the entire experience.”
“She’s a keeper.” Kim snickered as she came inside. “How you doing?”
“Well, you know, still writing for a killer. One who may or may not be killing his next victim as we speak.”
“So, fine?” she joked with a grin.
“Pretty much.”
She patted the couch and encouraged me to join her. I did and tucked my feet up behind me.
“Honestly, girl, I’m so damn proud of you.”
I laughed. “That I’m keeping my shit together, you mean?”
“That, and despite all the crap you’re going through, you still managed to nail yourself a man.”
I shrugged. “We’ll certainly have a story to tell our kids.”
Her face lit up, and I wished I could take back my words.
“No, no,” I waved my hand as if to erase the last five seconds, “I’m not there yet. Hell, we’re not there yet.”
“And you never have to be. But, look, take it from me. You’ve been through and are still going through a massive shit storm in your life. If you two can weather this stress together, you’ll be that much stronger at the other end. Whatever comes next, comes next. Just be the loveable, dark, humorous, strong woman you are, and the rest will fall into place.”
That, right there, was why I loved Kim. She could be funny as hell, but when I needed a down to earth conversation, she was right there ready to be my sounding board and to give the best advice.
She reached out and stroked the side of my arm. “Did you sleep last night?”
“Not really.” I groaned. “I never noticed the noises in the house until I became pen pals with a killer.”
Kim laughed and pulled me down to lay my head on a pillow, then she began to run her fingers through my hair.
“Sleep. I’ll be your watchdog.”
“You’re not going to fondle me in my sleep, are you?” I covered my laugh, but it didn’t work.
She swatted my shoulder. “Nah, you’re not my type.”
“What?” I stared up at her. “I’m a friggin’ catch.”
“For a straight, maybe, but I need a woman I need to keep in line.”
“Or one who sends you videos of beavers humping on the shoreline.”
“Exactly.”
We both laughed, and oh, my God, it felt good to be silly.
“Now, sleep, because I want to watch The View.”
“Well, that will do it.” I closed my eyes and giggled at her comment about how she loved the drama that woman brought to the show.
I slipped into a deep sleep.
“You ready, hon?” My father came around the corner, dressed to impress. He really could wear anything and look amazing.
I glanced around the room and spotted my purse. “I am now.”
“Purple, huh?” He pointed to my cocktail dress as I shrugged on a black pea coat. “Not black today?”
“Purple is basically black. Besides, I don’t want to blend in with the curtains.”
“You’d never blend in with anyone.” He kissed the top of my head as we walked out to the car. “Mom will meet us there. She had to work late at the office.”
My hands twisted my purse as the anxiety took over my chest. I tried to steady out my nerves. I didn’t usually have a problem talking to people, but this was a huge night for my career. This award meant everything to my movie deal.
Once we arrived, my father tucked his arm through mine, and we walked together into the convention center and up to the sixth floor. When the elevator doors opened, we were hit with the sound of a live band and a sea of people.
“Holy…” I tightened my grip on his arm and looked up. “You see who that was?”
“Reed Hastings, CEO and founder of Netflix.”
“I think I just threw up in my mouth.”
“Well, swallow it down, honey, because he just noticed you.”
We worked that room like it was our next breath, and when my mother joined the fun, we were unstoppable. There were many reasons my parents and I were close, but one of the main reasons was that we worked well as a trio. We were transparent, which instantly put those around us at ease. We never pulled any bullshit. We were just being ourselves, and that was what they wanted. Realism.
“Do you see him?” My mother glanced around the room.
“I wouldn’t know him if I walked right into him.” I scanned behind us, dying to know who I was up against. I got pen names, and I understood wanting to keep out of the public eye, but I had never seen E Brown’s face. “How strange is it that it’s down to just a few of us, and no one has introduced us once?” We asked a few people, but no one would give us a straight answer, so we went back to mingling.
Both my parents held their breath when they announced who the runners-up were for the award and downed a glass of wine each when it came down to myself and an author named E Brown. Again, I scanned the faces for someone who looked excited, but I couldn’t tell. My aunt two tables over showed me her crossed fingers with a smile.
My heart pounded in my throat, while I repeated the words the host was saying.
“Now for the winner.”
He pulled out a gold envelope. I glanced at my father, and he gave me a knowing wink.
“Breathe, honey,” Mom whispered.
Right, breathe. How do you do that again?
“The winner of the Most Anticipated Series of the Year goes to…” A long drumroll filled the air, and I became still as stone.
“S Peters!” was all I heard as four hundred and twenty people turned to clap at me.
“I knew it!” My father jumped up. “That’s my daughter!”
Numb knees brought me to a standing position while someone took my arm and walked me up to the stage and to the podium.
I licked my lips, and my speech flew out of my head.
Oh, shit. Now I have to wing it?
“Well,” I laughed nervously, “they failed to mention that once you get up here, you will have to speak.” The entire room broke out into laugher, and I felt some of the shock fade away while a door closed off to my side.
“Honestly, I had a speech that has apparently left the building, so I will keep this short and to the point.” Chuckles filled the room. “I have so many people to thank, and I’m sure I’ll do a stellar job of forgetting most of you, because I can’t remember my own name. So, I’ll do this.” I cleared my head and just tried to think of the most important people in my life. “First and foremost, I need to thank my parents, who are my inspiration, my supporters, and all-around heroes in life. What would I do without you? To G and Lisa.” I spotted them in the crowd and smiled. “To my second set of parents, who allow me to research in some of the coolest ways possible. For that, and the Syracuse Police Department, I thank you.” My lips kept moving, and I knew I was on a roll, but eyes kept scanning the crowd to see if I could spot E Brown again. I noticed a seat was empty, so maybe that was his, but to include him in my speech might look bad. I skipped over my suggestion to write together so we could take the literary world by storm and moved on.