18. Lila
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Lila
Everything was weird.
Staying in my childhood room at Dad’s home was… off.
Plus, I had so much on my mind, a mess I just couldn’t sort out.
Instead, I tried to distract myself by doing something productive. It was the only way I knew how to deal with the mess inside my head—bury myself in work.
I pulled out my laptop and sat down at the small table in the corner of the kitchen. It wasn’t much of a workspace, but it was what I had.
I searched for design jobs in the area, even though I knew there wouldn’t be much. Medford wasn’t exactly the creative hub of the world.
Still, I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing.
I scrolled through page after page of job listings, feeling the familiar sting of disappointment each time. There was nothing for a graphic designer in this town.
I clicked on a few remote job postings, hoping for something promising, but they all required experience I didn’t have or offered pay too low to make it worth my while.
I was about to close my laptop when I saw a new listing, freelance work for an ad agency needing help with a rebranding project. The pay was decent, though not great. Still, it was a start. It was something.
I clicked “Apply” without a second thought.
Just as I hit send, I heard the shuffle of footsteps in the hallway. My dad appeared in the doorway, his graying hair a little messy from working on one of his wood projects. He wiped his hands on his apron and gave me a smile that made my chest tighten.
“Lila,” he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of years of quiet support. “You’ve been awfully quiet today. How are you feeling?”
I hadn’t realized how much I’d been holding in until he asked. I looked up from my screen, forcing a smile. “Just busy. You know, trying to get my bearings.”
He nodded, stepping into the room and leaning against the doorframe. “I know it’s been a tough time for you, honey. But I want you to know, I’m really glad you’re home.”
His words, simple as they were, hit me like a wave.
I’d been feeling so lost, so unsure of my place here, and hearing him say that made me want to crawl into his arms and stay there forever.
“I’ve missed you,” he continued, a softness to his voice that I didn’t often hear. “Things haven’t been the same since you left.”
I swallowed hard, blinking away the tears threatening to spill. “I know, Dad. I miss you, too.”
He walked over and sat down at the table across from me.
“It’s not the same without your mom, either,” he said after a pause, his eyes distant for a moment. “I know you were just a kid when she passed, but… I can’t help but see her in you sometimes. Mostly in the way you get quiet when something’s bothering you.”
My throat tightened, and I pressed my fingers to my lips, trying to hold back the lump that had formed there.
My mom had passed away when I was just a little girl, and though I didn’t remember much about her, I’d always felt her absence. Sometimes, it felt like I had inherited her silence, her tendency to hide what was really going on.
“I know it’s hard, honey,” Dad said, his voice gentle. “But you’re home now. And that means something. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Just take it one day at a time.”
I nodded, my fingers tracing the edge of my laptop as I absorbed his words.
He was right. I didn’t have to have all the answers today. Maybe I didn’t even need to have them tomorrow.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, a small smile finally making its way to my face. “I’m just trying to figure out what comes next, you know? In fact, I think I’m going to get some fresh air. Take Biscuit for a walk through town.”
Dad’s smile widened at the mention of Biscuit. “That little furball will be thrilled. He’s been moping around like he’s lost his best friend whenever you’re not in the room.”
I chuckled softly, the warmth of his words easing some of the tension in my chest. “He’s got a flair for the dramatic.”
Dad leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as his expression softened further. “Maybe he gets that from you, always keeping your feelings so close to the chest. But you don’t have to do that here, Lila. You’ve got people who care about you.”
His words stayed with me as I grabbed Biscuit’s leash and bundled up for the chilly weather outside. Biscuit bounded toward me the second I picked up the leash, his stubby legs working overtime in his excitement.
“All right, all right, calm down,” I said with a laugh as I clipped the leash to his collar. “You act like I never take you anywhere.”
Biscuit barked in response, tail wagging furiously as if he understood every word.
The air outside was brisk but refreshing, the kind that makes your cheeks tingle and your breath fog up in front of you. I tugged my scarf tighter around my neck as Biscuit led the way, his little legs moving like he was on a mission.
I walked through Medford until I got to the Brewed Bean Café, a place I’d always loved to visit when I lived here. It was comforting, familiar, and it gave me a sense of normalcy that I desperately needed.
As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by the familiar scent of fresh coffee and baked goods.
Samantha Barnes, the barista, looked up from behind the counter, flashing me a bright smile. She was a little older than me, with short, tousled blonde hair and an infectious laugh.
I’d always liked chatting with her when I came in—she’d been here forever, it seemed. And today, she looked like she was in a great mood.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite return customer,” Samantha teased, setting a steaming cup of coffee on the counter. “You really are back in town. How’s it going?”
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to talk about it. But her easygoing nature made it hard not to.
“I’m fine,” I said, smiling back at her. “Just busy, you know? Trying to get some work.”
“That’s awesome,” Samantha said, wiping her hands on her apron. “Medford has missed you.”
I smiled, grateful for her kind words, but I was still feeling a bit of that nervous energy I couldn’t shake. The pressure of being back in town, the fear of things coming to light, especially with Nate, was always looming.
Samantha leaned over the counter a little, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “I gotta admit, though, the gossip is racing. You and a certain fireman, huh?”
I froze, my pulse racing. I couldn’t tell who she was referring to, which caused the nervous energy inside me to spike.
“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though I could feel the heat creeping up my neck.
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Samantha said with a grin. “I don’t know a thing.”
I felt my stomach drop. My hands tightened around my coffee cup, and I tried to keep my voice steady.
“There’s nothing going on,” I said quickly, forcing a laugh. “People like to talk, but there’s really nothing to it.”
Samantha raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
“Yeah, right,” she teased. “But you should probably be careful with that kind of gossip. People around here can be, well, a little too curious about others’ business. Especially when it comes to someone like you.”
I felt a knot form in my stomach. The thought of Nate finding out made my heart race with anxiety. He’d never understand the situation—hell, I didn’t even understand it.
“Thanks for the advice,” I said, trying to laugh it off. “But like I said, there’s nothing.”
But before I could respond, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out without thinking. My stomach churned when I saw the message.
You’re not done yet, Lila. Don’t think you can hide from me. I’m watching.
My breath caught in my throat as I read the words.
Samantha noticed the change in my expression immediately.
“Everything okay?” she asked, her tone no longer teasing.
I swallowed hard and tried to brush it off. “Yeah, just… work stuff.”
But Samantha’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she didn’t buy my act. “You sure? You look pale.”
I shoved my phone back into my pocket and gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just some stress. I’ll be okay.”
She studied me for a moment, but to her credit, she didn’t press. Instead, she handed me my coffee. “Well, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Samantha,” I said, my voice shaky. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
But as I turned and walked to a quiet corner of the café, the texts kept coming one after another, each one more ominous than the last.
You can’t hide forever. I’ll be waiting.
The words sent a cold shiver down my spine, and my hands trembled as I set my coffee down. I couldn’t keep this up much longer. I needed to find out who was behind these messages before they pushed me over the edge.
The threat of everything being found out loomed large in my mind. Towns like Medford weren’t forgiving.
Gossip could destroy me.