Chapter Six #3
“That’s some real nice friends you’ve got,” Kennedy said.
“We’re not friends. They’re just who I was hanging around with. But not lately, if you hadn’t noticed.”
At Kennedy’s derisive grunt, Hannah said, “But why did she want your phone?”
“Fallon told us after dinner last night. She partnered with Jade yesterday, and they worked out a plan. She’s going to try catching them doing something against camp rules and take some photos for proof,” Delores said.
Nora thought about the unsophisticated woman who had run out of gas on her way to her dream opportunity because of her willingness to help someone else. “I don’t think Fallon should try that on her own. Gwen especially isn’t someone to mess with. I’m going with her.”
“Why you?” Kennedy asked. “I could go with her.”
“Because Gwen and Tina trust me…sort of.” Nora hated to admit it, but it was true. “If there’s trouble, I might be able to smooth things over.”
After glancing briefly at the others, Kennedy nodded, and Nora hurried to catch sight of Fallon.
About three blocks down the main street, she saw her leaning against the side of a brick building, her face expressionless as she watched Nora approach.
The sign out front featured a drunken-looking bird holding a large bottle and the words The Green Parrot Lounge.
“Are you joining them?” Fallon inclined her head in the direction of the bar.
Nora leaned against the bricks next to her. “No, I’m here as an impartial witness.”
The corner of Fallon’s mouth quirked. “To what?”
“To whatever it is that you’re doing here.”
Fallon’s eyes met hers. “What do you think I’m doing?”
Nora took a breath. “Exactly what you told me you’d do. You’re trying to protect the program and the people in it.”
Fallon nodded. “And you’re okay with that? At the cost of—”
She was interrupted by the creak of the bar door opening.
Giggling and footsteps came in their direction.
Before Nora knew what was happening, Fallon had pulled up her hood, and turning her back to the street, she took Nora in her arms and pressed her against the building, drawing Nora’s face into her neck.
Nora was overwhelmed by the woodsy scents of pine and dirt clinging to Fallon’s clothes and the distant remnants of chainsaw oil and sweat on her skin.
She couldn’t move. Or was it that she didn’t want to?
“Ooh, romance.” Tina’s giggly voice filtered through Nora’s turmoil. “Look, Gwen.”
“Who cares?” Gwen sounded tipsy enough not to realize what was going on. “The pot shop is this way. Come on.”
The footsteps faded. Nora wondered if Fallon’s arms had always been so strong or if it was a result of the last two weeks of work. More slowly than she would have thought possible, Fallon’s grasp loosened, and she turned toward the street.
“They’re gone.” Fallon’s voice was rough. She took a step back. “That was terribly abrupt, and I apologize. I didn’t want us to be seen, you understand?”
“Sure.” Nora cleared her throat. “Let’s go.”
Fallon put a hand on her arm. “Slowly. They’re a little unsteady, but they’ll still notice us if we get too close.”
“Right.” Nora stopped. “I’ll follow your lead.”
Fallon grinned. “Well, that’ll be a first.”
“The second, if we count what just happened,” Nora countered, conscious that Fallon was also very cute when she blushed.
Forty-five minutes later, they came through the door of the laundromat, and Fallon walked directly to Kennedy. “Thanks, dude. I think we got it.”
“Your phone’s charged now. I can AirDrop the photos over if you want.”
“That would be perfect.”
By the time Gwen and Tina came stumbling in, everyone else’s clothes were folded and ready. Gwen looked around, her eyes bleary. “Where’s our stuff?
“In the dryers,” Hannah gestured. “Nora moved it over like you asked.”
Gwen put her hands on her hips, glaring at the crew. Her gaze landed on Kennedy. “I can’t believe y’all are so stupid that you didn’t think to take them out and fold them when they were done.”
Kennedy stepped into Gwen’s face. “Do I look stupid to you?”
Gwen seemed to realize she’d gone too far. “No, um, you look like someone who already finished their clothes and had time to relax.”
“Damn right,” Kennedy said.
“Kenn, would you mind taking everyone outside?” Fallon said.
Fallon moved toward Tina, thumbing through her phone as the rest of the crew gathered out on the sidewalk. Gwen grabbed Nora’s arm as she passed. “What the fuck is going on?”
“How should I know?” Nora replied, displaying the cover of Seafire. “I’ve been sitting here reading my book.” She joined the group outside, studiously watching for Jade in the pickup that pulled up soon after.
Fallon emerged from the laundromat, followed by a very subdued Gwen and Tina.
“Clothes inside. Bodies outside,” Jade called cheerfully. “Except you two glamour girls can sit up with me,” she added, indicating Gwen and Tina. “That okay with you, Nora?”
“Just fine.”
As they arranged themselves among the groceries in the truck bed, Nora suspected that the lightness she felt had to do with more than being clean.