Chapter 14 #2
Chuckling, I close her in and get behind the wheel, taking us back to the dead-end block for the last time. I park at the back of the building we’re leaving behind, aiming the hatch at the door. I’m barely out when Simon rounds the corner, offering a wave.
I tip my head in greeting. “Everything okay?”
“Myra wants you and Becca to come over for dinner.” His tone doesn’t give away his own feelings about the invitation. “She’s making pasta.”
“I don’t think—” I start to turn him down because we have shit to do. But Becca cuts me off.
“That sounds great.” She gives him a regretful smile. “I wish we could offer to bring something, but all I could manage is a pot of coffee.” Her head tilts. “I might also be able to come up with a bag of chips.”
Simon turns to Becca, his whole expression shifting, turning friendly and warm. “You don’t need to bring anything. Just yourselves.”
As he walks away, I move in at Becca’s side. Simon clearly loves Myra, so there’s no reason for me to feel territorial, but he still acted so friendly toward her, and I don’t fucking like it. “I don’t know why he’s so nice to you, considering the first time you met you slapped him across the face.”
Actually, that probably made him like her more. Part of the reason I liked Becca from the get-go is because she’s not hesitant or cautious. She’s careful, yes, but if jumping off a building was the act that made the most sense, she would do it.
Becca chews her lip. “I’m glad Myra wasn’t super upset about that. I really like her.”
I know moving to the motel is the smartest choice.
For us and for everyone on this block. But I feel guilty taking Becca away from the support system she’s building here.
I know if she had a little more time, she and Shelly and Felicity would reconnect.
It would offer Becca something I’m not capable of giving her when she needs it most.
Maybe it won’t hurt anything if we stay here just a little longer. Give Becca a tiny bit more time feeling less alone.
“I’m sure Myra likes you, because they sure as hell aren’t inviting us over because of me.” I check my watch. “We don’t have much time before dinner. Maybe we should get organized. That way everything will be easy to move when we’re ready.”
Heading inside, we spend the next hour cleaning up the space and packing everything we don’t immediately need into bags and boxes.
I leave the air mattress inflated since I’m not sure how long dinner will take and I don’t want to have to blow it back up at midnight before Becca can get to sleep.
When everything is as ready as it can be, we make our way across the street, hopefully to spend an uneventful evening with Myra and Simon.
Simon greets us at the door, once again looking thrilled to see Becca and annoyed by my existence.
I don’t give a shit though, because Myra is a fucking brilliant cook, and I eat way more than I probably should.
In my defense, I’ve been single for pretty much my whole adult life, and the only time I get a home-cooked meal like this is when I visit my sister and niece or when they visit me.
It doesn’t make sense to go to all this trouble for just myself, so I normally eat whatever’s fast and easy.
But if it wasn’t just me—if there was another person to share the leftovers with—I could for sure get used to making meals like this on a regular basis.
“How are you holding up staying across the street?” Myra wrinkles her nose at Becca as she leans back in her seat. “Without running water.”
“It’s fine.” Becca tries to smile. “But I’ll be super happy when I can get a hot shower.”
Myra sits up a little straighter. “You should take one here.” She grips Becca’s hand, squeezing it tight. “You are always welcome to use our bathroom or kitchen for anything you need.”
I study Myra, wondering how this is all affecting her.
Like Becca’s sister, she was held captive against her will by men drunk on power.
And, like Amanda, her sister stopped at nothing to save her.
I’m sure it’s not easy for her to watch what Becca’s facing, knowing her sister went through a similar experience trying to get to her.
On the plus side, the men responsible for Myra’s suffering—her district attorney ex-husband and church pastor father—are now in prison where they belong.
Hopefully, Becca and Amanda can have the same outcome.
Becca’s eyes move to me, a tiny bit of guilt pinching her features. Probably because she knows she’ll have access to unlimited hot showers as soon as we relocate. “Sure. That would be great.”
Myra jumps up from her seat immediately.
Continuing to hold Becca’s hand, she leads her through the house.
“I have everything you need. You can even borrow some of my pajamas since I’m guessing you don’t have a bunch of your own.
” They disappear down the hall, but Myra’s voice continues.
“If you need to do laundry, you can do that here too.”
Their voices fade away as they take the stairs to the second floor, leaving Simon and me alone in the kitchen. The silence drags out between us. I don’t know what to say to him. I doubt there’s anything I can offer that will change his feelings toward me.
And that’s okay. Because he’s happy. He’s got a kind, sweetheart of a woman at his side. One who will fight for him. One I’m sure he will fight for.
Since there’s nothing to say, I start collecting plates, rinsing them in the sink before loading them in the dishwasher. The very least I can do is clean up. Show him I’m not a total entitled asshole.
Simon watches me for a minute before getting up to help.
Once the dishes are racked and clean, the counters wiped down, Simon turns to me, expression hard.
“I guess you can take a shower here too.” He crosses both arms over his chest, one hip resting against the island.
“But you’re not fucking borrowing my pajamas. ”