Chapter 63
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
“Home?”
“My place. I’ve made up a bed for you.”
“Neil. I’m not—”
“Just for one night,” he says. “Until you figure out your next steps.”
“What about Allegra?”
A flash of confusion. “Oh. She’s staying at her place. We don’t live together.”
I look out over the water. The boat is sailing slowly away. I can’t believe Grace has been so reckless. I’m not even sure she knows how to sail. If the Coast Guard or anyone comes aboard, we’re all screwed.
“Come on. You don’t want to stay in a creepy motel, do you?”
“No,” I say. He’s right—I’m tired. I need a proper bed, a proper meal, peace. “Thank you.”
He drops me at my car, and then I follow him, though not to his apartment in the city, but to a house in the suburbs.
It has a front yard with an apple tree, a literal picket fence—painted black, not white, but still extremely middle-America—and when I go inside, I learn it has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an enormous back yard.
“How much was this place?” I ask at dinner, astonished at how settled it feels. He must have moved in months ago.
“A lot. But I’ve been promoted, and the firm is on a tear.
I can actually afford it on my own. It’s in a good school district.
” He looks down at his plate. “Honestly, I got it for us. Just before you left. And even though we weren’t together, I decided to move in.
It’s a bit lonely out here, but I love it. ”
“I’m sure Allegra loves it, too.” He makes a face. “What, trouble in paradise?”
“We actually broke up a week ago. She didn’t like my involvement in your case. All the secrets. So she dumped me.”
“Neil, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry for not telling you,” he says quickly. “I just didn’t want you not to stay because you thought…” He gives an awkward smile. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” I say. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to my room, and I’m going to sleep for fifteen hours straight.”
I go upstairs to the guest bedroom and find my pack in the corner of the room. It turns out Bradley was lying when he said he’d thrown out my clothes. Jesse found them under the bed in the cottage.
I go to the window. The room overlooks the backyard, which has a tire swing hanging from a mature oak, a sandpit, and a trampoline. Christ, Grace was right. He is a breeder. If I stay here, he’s going to make a move, especially now that Allegra has left him.
I don’t want to have to reject him, especially after all he’s done for me. But there’s no way in hell I’m going back to him. I need a clean break.
Before I fall asleep, I search my phone for job listings and send my old resume to a dozen waitressing jobs. I have a few thousand in my account, no student loans, and a car with gas in the tank.
Tomorrow, I tell myself. Tomorrow will be the start of my new life.
In the morning, I find a missed call from a restaurant in the city. I’ve slept twelve hours straight and feel like I could sleep at least twelve more, but I need to get moving. Otherwise, I’ll risk being at Neil’s place another night.
I call the restaurant and arrange an interview for later that afternoon. I have a shower in the ensuite, and when I get out, I search the room for my pack, but it isn’t there.
I go into the hallway and call out.
“Neil? Where’s my stuff?”
He comes running up the stairs, grinning. “I’ve washed it.”
“What? When?”
“I’ve been up for hours, babe.”
I wince at his use of that word, but decide to let it slide. “Well? Can I have my clothes?”
“They’re in the wardrobe.”
I turn back to my room, confused. “What wardrobe?” Aside from the bed, the room is unfurnished.
“Come.” He leads me down the hallway to another bedroom. This one has a king bed, twin matching nightstands, and a large wardrobe along the far wall. “I unpacked everything for you.”
“What the hell?” I wait for a reasonable explanation, but he just stands at the door, grinning madly.
“I’m so relieved this is over. Aren’t you?” He comes closer, as if he wants to touch me.
“No.” I back away, further into the room. “It’s over, Neil. You promised. ”
“You can’t be serious!” Still that same smile. “You still want to leave, after all I did for you? I wanted to prove my love. Surely I’ve done that?”
“What about Allegra? I thought you were over me.”
“Allegra!” He angles his head, frowning slightly. “You mean Anne. I made that name up on the spot. She’s an intern. I paid her to blow me a kiss in the parking lot. Brie, for God’s sake! How do you not see? There’s no one else but you.”
I try to say no, but I can barely make a sound.
He keeps talking.
“I’m not like Bradley. I’m not trying to sleep with a thousand women. Just you. I love you. I’ll always love you.”
He steps towards me. I can feel the wall at my back. I’ve nowhere to go.
“You’ve been through so much. Let me take care of you.”
Closer. He’s not going to let me leave him—ever. I see it now.
“No,” I say. “Please.”
But he doesn’t stop. When he grabs me, I try to push him away, but he’s too strong. I’m soon enveloped in a strange embrace, my arms pinned to my side.
“Don’t ever try to leave me again,” he whispers in my ear. “Or I’ll tell the police everything I know.”