Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
I watch Ava back up and turn her car down the driveway, my chest tightening the further away she gets. Why does she keep running away from me? And that reaction of hers that stirred up the break-in, what was that all about? What happened that night?
Beth slips between the cars and clambers onto the porch.
“You’re late,” I call out, checking my watch. 12:07.
“Close enough,” she says over her shoulder. “Looks like you were busy anyways.”
I scowl at her back. “I’m the adult here.”
She turns back from the door to stare me down. “You sure are making some dumb choices.”
I try to catch up but she’s inside before I can climb onto the porch. From the kitchen, Thea and Beth scream and jump around hugging, then start talking over each other the way they always have. Sisters.
Ava’s text lights up my phone as I’m locking up the house.
I’m home
Thank you. Sleep tight
You too
But when I crawl into bed, though I should be exhausted, there’s a restless energy thrumming through me I can’t turn off. Ava’s hiding something from me about that break-in, and I don’t like it. She knows she can trust me, so why won’t she share?
A series of giggles and sighs followed by the soft thumping of Thea’s bed against the wall has me stuffing my pillow over my head to drown them out. If she and her hockey stud stay more than a few days, I might have to start sleeping in the barn.
I wish Ava was here. At least I’d have someone to laugh about it with. But she’s not, and the memories of the day and the worries about Mom don’t waste any time finding me as I wrestle with the sheets for comfort.
But wrestling makes me think of Ava and how we spent most of the evening. By four-fifteen, I’m hard as a rock and wide awake, so I do the only thing that might help—jump into the shower, jerk off to thoughts of Ava’s thighs wrapped tight around me, then suit up for a run to the high school where I can get in a series of stadium sprints before the students arrive.
It’s still pitch dark as I take off down the driveway, the air fresh and cool. Above me, the bright stars look so crowded in the black sky, like an explosion of shattered glass. It makes me miss my crew and the thrill of jumping into the cold abyss at twenty thousand feet with the stars glittering above us.
Fuck, I miss it. I miss my crew. I even miss training, and that’s saying a lot.
The reality that Mom is still a long way from being back on her feet gets heavier with every footfall. Ava’s it doesn’t work like that roams through my thoughts. Should we get a second opinion? Evergreen Hospital is a top-rated facility thanks to our generous community, but could a bigger hospital offer better care? I hate the idea of moving her, but what if it’s the only way she’ll get better?
Once at the high school, I head for the bleachers and start my first set. My legs practically come alive beneath me as I pump my way to the top row. It’s a sign I’m overdue for a challenging workout. I push myself hard, timing each set so I don’t slack, and by the time I finish, my quads are singing and my lungs are on fire.
After a cool-down lap around the track, I slip through the gate and head for home by way of the park so I can get in a few sets of pull-ups on the monkey bars. But when I turn into the playground, I’m not alone. There’s someone riding the merry-go-round. He’s lying on his back, splayed like a starfish as the metal base slowly spins, making an eerie creak in the dawn stillness.
The rising sun is a pink blush in the eastern sky, washing the green grass and brightly colored playground equipment with a soft glow. I glance around but don’t see anyone else, or a car parked nearby.
As the merry-go-round slows, the kid rolls to his feet and jumps off, then grabs the metal railing and pushes the merry-go-round while running alongside it, faster and faster, his jeans swishing and his footfalls tapping the rubber padding underneath. I catch a glimpse of his face as he leaps on and goes limp in the center of the floor, breathing fast.
“Troy?” I call out.
I walk closer. “Hey, you okay?”
He spins and spins, the creak of the bearings the only sound.
“Troy.” I step onto the rubber mat platform.
Finally, he glances at me, but the rotating floor forces us to break contact. I reach out and apply a bit of resistance to the metal railing as it passes, slowing the merry-go-round gently.
“How long you been out here?”
He shrugs like he’s going to keep it all inside, but then he says, “Since last night. ”
I don’t want to scold him when he’s clearly working through something, but are people worried about him? “You need company?”
He shrugs again.
I sit on the edge of the merry-go-round, facing away from him. The hard metal is freezing cold on my butt.
“They’re saying Marin was…involved with someone. Some weirdo.”
Keeping my feet on the ground, I lay back, keeping my abs engaged so I can get in some core strengthening. “You two were close. Did she ever talk about it?”
“No.”
I relax to my back and inhale a full breath, then curl up again, lifting my knees to make it burn. “Can you think why she’d keep it to herself?”
Troy huffs a hard breath. “Probably because I threatened to beat up that piece of shit camp counselor who broke her heart.”
I’m starting to think Troy and I have a few things in common. “What happened isn’t your fault.”
He releases a slow sigh. “She should have been with me.”
I roll up and glance over my shoulder. “Was it like that between you two?”
His face twists in a grimace. “I thought I had more time.”
Is he saying what I think he’s saying? Because…damn. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t going to bring her back.”
“Truth, but it’s sometimes helpful to know you’re not alone.”
“Her service is today,” he says in a soft tone. “Do you think her killer will be there?”
My empty stomach knots. “I don’t know.”
The sun breaks over the mountains, the soft rays lighting up the tiny beads of dew coating the grass.
“Maybe it’s time to head home, get some rest before the service,” I say.
With another soft sigh, Troy rolls up. “I guess you’re right. ”
“I’ll walk with you.” I reach for his hand.
He takes it, his grip firm, and lets me haul him to his feet. His rumpled clothing hangs loosely off his lean frame and his eyes look hollow. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
“I live just over there.” He nods at the row of houses across from the grassy end of the park.
We walk side by side through the wet grass, the heavy dew soaking through my sneakers.
“Did you learn how to do all that rescue stuff in the Air Force?” he asks.
“Most of it, yeah.”
“I’m in school to be a radiology tech, but…now…I don’t know.” He glances my way. “I won’t be able to catch Marin’s killer, but maybe I can be of service somehow in the future.”
“Happy to talk anytime about pararescue or Air Force jobs. I’m sure Deputy Hayes or Deputy Rumsey would talk to you about law enforcement.”
“Yeah, I think I’d like that.”
We reach the empty row of parking slots. “See you,” Troy says before trotting toward a long driveway across from the parking lot. I watch him disappear into the trees before I start my jog home.
When I arrive, Ava’s car is in the driveway. I stop to gaze across the fields, hoping to catch sight of her in the pasture, but the quickly rising sun’s bright glare makes it hard to see that far. I’m tempted to head that way even though I’m not dressed for chores and I likely stink, but I need to check in with Mom and my sisters. Will Ava be gone by the time I get back out here?
Inside the house, the scene that greets me is like being transported back in time, to when we were all living under this roof. Beth’s hairdryer hums from the bathroom at the end of the hall, Thea is frying up tofu and steaming some sort of leafy vegetable in the kitchen with the music blaring. Dylan is MIA—if he’s sleeping through this noise, I’ll be impressed .
“Any word from Mom?” I ask, leaning into the kitchen.
Thea levels me with a stern glare. “Why didn’t you tell me she was in the hospital again?”
“I meant to.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
She gazes through the window, then arches an eyebrow at me. “I’ll bet.”
Snarky sisters get the silent treatment, but before I can push off from the doorjamb, Beth breezes into the kitchen.
“Who drank all the coffee?” she asks, sending Thea a glare.
“Chill. We can make more,” Thea gives her tofu concoction a stir with the spatula.
“Ugh, I’ll just get some at work.” Beth grabs her keys and whips around, heading for the door. “Bye!”
The door slams.
“Want some breakfast?” Thea asks.
I give the pan a wary glance. “I’ll grab something in a bit.”
“Aw, don’t be scared of tofu,” she teases.
I load up another pot of coffee. “How did your auditions go?”
“I thought my fingers were going to fall off, I practiced so hard.” She scoops her breakfast onto a plate. “But it must have paid off because I got accepted into the Summer Twilight Symphony and the Olympic Philharmonic! It’s going to be a busy summer.”
“That’s great. The Twilight one comes to Finn River, right?”
“Yep. August.”
I push START on the coffeemaker and head to my room for a quick shower. In less than five minutes, I’m back in the kitchen, startling Thea and Dylan, who are playing a game of tongue chase, his big hands gripping her waist like his life depends on it.
It reminds me of last night. I need to get out of this house.
“What can I do to help?” Dylan asks me. I’ve noticed he’s not much of a talker, which is not unpleasant, but I’m keeping a close eye on him. Mom mentioned Thea was seeing a professional hockey player, but it was in passing and I had no idea they were dating .
“You good with animals?” I pour coffee into a giant thermal mug and grab a banana from the bowl on the counter.
“Sure.”
“Come with me.”
“Dylan’s on vacation,” Thea says with a pout.
Dylan’s steady gray eyes lock with my sister’s. “We came to help.”
“Okay, but don’t work him too hard,” she says to me. “We’re going to visit Mom at ten.”
I peel my banana and down it in two bites, then head for the entryway and slide on my coat and boots. Dylan moves quickly, falling in next to me on the path.
“You from Seattle?” I ask.
“No, sir.”
I give him a quick glance.
“I grew up not too far from here, actually. Penny Creek.”
“No shit?” Penny Creek is closer to central Idaho, near the famous Sawtooth Mountains. In the winter, it’s the coldest valley of the state, sometimes the coldest place in the country. “They play a lot of hockey there?”
“It’s popular,” he says. “My family plays.”
“You have brothers?”
“Three. And three sisters.”
My respect for this kid is growing by the minute. “No wonder you’re so quiet.”
He proves my point by not making a sound.
“What position do you play?”
“Right wing.”
Meaning he’s lightning-fast and good at scoring. I put the noises I overheard coming through the walls of Thea’s room out of my mind. “You want horses or chickens and pig duty?”
“The last two.”
“Does your family have animals?”
“My sister Annika raised chickens. We had a few pigs too.”
I turn him loose and continue to the barn to find Ava.
She’s just coming out of Taffy’s stall, the light streaking in from the doorways catching the alfalfa dust in the air.
She pauses for an instant, her eyes unreadable, then slips into Rio’s stall opposite. I walk over and lean against the doorway, watching her bend over Rio’s left front leg to pick his hoof. For someone lacking in brawn, she sure makes up for it in confidence. Something I’ve always loved about her.
“How do you get him to do that?” I ask as she sets Rio’s leg down. “When I try, he seems to put even more weight on the leg I want him to lift.”
Ava ducks under Rio’s neck to tend to the other leg. “Get over here and I’ll show you.”
I know touching her is out of line, but with her bent over like that, I cannot be responsible for my actions. “You look cute when you’re compromised,” I say, closing the distance between us.
With a huff, she straightens and lowers the horse’s leg. He stomps and jerks his head. I feed him a chunk of carrot I snitched from the crisper. His soft lips tickle my palm as he plucks it from me and starts chewing.
Ava swipes the coffee from my hands and nods for me to stand where she was. In three simple instructions, I have the horse’s knee braced on my thigh and his hoof cradled in my left hand.
“Impressive.”
She passes me the pick and I get to work.
“How is it having Thea home?”
“Noisy. I don’t think she and her boy toy got much sleep.”
Ava snorts, like I caught her between sips. “Maybe you can grab a nap later.”
I release Rio’s knee and turn around. “Is that an invitation?”
She licks her lips, then looks away. I can practically see the gears turning in her mind.
I take the coffee mug from her and take a slow sip, never taking my eyes off her.
“Hutch, maybe we should?—”
I step closer, boxing her into the corner. “Don’t finish that.”
“I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”
“It’s a fantastic idea. We’re good together, Greely. You know it. I know it.”
“In the moment, yeah.” She leans back against the wall and crosses her arms.
“Let’s share a few more of them.”
She releases an anguished sigh. “So we just hook up while you’re home, and then break it off when you leave?”
My chest gives a tight ache. “Is that what you want?”
From outside the barn come a series of hurried footsteps. “Rye? You in here?”
It’s Thea. I duck under Rio’s neck and cross the distance to the stall door to meet her.
“The hospital called,” Thea says, her eyes bright. “They’re going to do some kind of procedure today. It sounds promising.”
Thea’s gaze flicks to Ava, who has come up behind me, but she quickly refocuses on me. “We should go.”
“I’ll be right there,” I say.
Thea seems to hesitate for a moment, then spins and hurries out of the barn. I reach for Ava and pull her to my chest.
To my relief, she seems to relax. “Go,” she says on a sigh. “But keep me in the loop?”
“I need to see you later.” I savor the feel of her body against me.
“We’ll see, okay?”
At least she didn’t say no. I kiss the top of her head. “Okay.”