Chapter 26 #2
My throat closes over. My fingers close around the fabric of the skirt of my dress. “Not famous,” I choke out. I’m shaking my head, but I can’t move my body.
“Evie?” Cal says. It echoes through my senses before fading away.
“I have to go.” I shoot up off the chair and it topples over, clattering to the floor. I’m out the front door, its chimes tinkling behind me as the heels of my boots snap down the sidewalk. Trying to haul air into my lungs as the night’s darkness folds in around me.
Not my best idea.
Out on the deserted street, alone.
Everyone must be at the festival.
I run my hand through my hair, pacing back and forth in front of the hardware store a few doors down from the café. The streetlight’s glow doesn’t make it this far and when I look up, my eyes pointing toward the glittering marina, I realize how dark it is.
Panic claws through my veins, sending sickening heat through my spine.
T.
He’s here.
He’s fucking here .
I should be anywhere but alone in the dark. I try to smooth over my hair and pat down my dress. Dragging in a large lungful of air, I head back to the café. I find Cal leaning on the doorframe outside the small diner.
Of course he is.
I was probably never even out of his sight.
“You’re going to tell me about that. Right now.” He pushes off the frame.
I stop, wrapping my arms around my body.
I should tell him.
I should tell the world and take away T’s power.
Then every self-deprecating thought I have ever held about having a stalker floods in. How could you not notice? Why didn’t you say something the first time? He hasn’t done anything bad, really... He hasn’t done anything real, only letters and vague threats.
Until the last letter, that is.
He killed Joshua.
Because I ignored him.
I stare into the serious blues now holding me to the spot. “No.”
“No?” He closes the space between us, eyebrows raising. A seriousness I’ve never seen on his face turns it stone. I dip my head, not wanting to see the reprimand in his eyes. A finger curls under my chin, lifting so I have no choice but to meet his gaze. “Now, baby girl. All of it.”
My chin wobbles as tears burn the back of my eyes. I shake my head.
“You either have some sort of phobia about mail, or it’s the contents you’re afraid of.”
I swallow hard.
Heaven knows what’s in the letter. After the last one, I can’t bear to open another. Will it be a death bell tolling for Cal this time? I’m not naive enough to think T wouldn’t orchestrate another accident. How many ways can a lighthouse keeper die?
Oh god.
I slap a shaking hand over my mouth.
“I need some space,” I say, pushing past him.
“Evie,” he growls.
Walking back inside, I make a beeline for the bathroom in Iris’s little apartment behind the café. Running the cold water, I splash it over my face. The second it hits my skin, cold and wet, I remember my makeup.
Shit.
I dry off the best I can with the hand towel, trying not to ruin my mascara. Maybe I should leave early? Finish the last of my novel back at my apartment. Get as far away from Cal as I can. I can’t be here if T is this close to us.
A soft knock on the door pulls me from the dark thoughts.
“Evie?” Iris’s voice is worried.
Sorrow for a life I’ve lost before it even began sinks, burning into my chest. I wish I could stay. I wish Cal wanted me to. I wish Iris and Em were part of my world.
Oh god, Allie. I’m the worst friend; we haven’t talked in weeks.
“Be out in a sec.”
“Okay, dinner is ready.”
“Thank you,” I say, too quiet, as my forehead hits the door.
I close my eyes. Three more weeks, and I go home.
Cal will be safe, tucked away on his island.
Pushing through the door, I wander into the dining area.
Cal and Iris sit at the table with the papers pushed to one end.
A large casserole dish sits in the center, and three bowls sit at our places, steaming.
The fragrant scent of savory and herbs reaches me.
“Eat. You’ll feel better. Then we’ll go see some fireworks, hey?” Iris squeezes my hand.
“Sure.” I look to Cal. He sits slouched to one side, the fork in his hands flipping through his fingers. As if he’s not happy with his sister’s quiet ways.
“This looks wonderful, thank you.” I give Iris a small smile. It’s straining my face, but it’s genuine.
“Don’t mention it. Let’s eat.”
We eat while the siblings talk numbers. By the time I finish my bowl, Cal’s frown has dropped lower and lower.
It’s not looking good. The numbers don’t add up.
The only solution would be to receive funding from the Restoration Society who, by the sound of it, are not interested in outdated relics like Fire Island Lighthouse.
Or to come up with around twenty grand in repairs and upgrades.
That island, that lighthouse, is Cal’s whole life.
My heart breaks for him.
As echoes of laughter and music drift in from down the street, Iris stands and sweeps up the empty bowls. “Misery aside, let’s go have some fun, even if it’s just for tonight.”
Cal grumbles something I can’t make out.
“Sounds like a plan.” I stand and glance behind me to watch Iris disappear into the back before I dot a kiss to Cal’s cheek and whisper, “Take me somewhere good.”
He smiles. It’s the first slip of light I’ve seen on his face since the letter appeared on the table earlier. Iris returns with her jacket and something blue draped over one hand.
“Here, you’ll need something extra, the wind is nippy tonight.” She hands me a blue ombré scarf. It’s silken between my fingers and a perfect match for my dress. “Thank you, this is beautiful. I didn’t think to bring one.”
I wrap it around my neck, and she adjusts it a little before turning my collar up on my jacket for a snug fit.
“Gorgeous. Ah, look at those stunning brown eyes against that blue.” Iris shakes her head with a smile. She’s like the older sister I never had. I can practically feel my heart getting attached. Iris locks up and we make our way down Main Street, heading for the festivities.