Chapter 1 – Leo #2
“My God, that deck is gorgeous,” Hallie says from behind me, as she steps out onto the patio.
“And those trees! Imagine it in the fall! All the trees changing? It’s going to be so pretty.
” The trees lining my property are a mix of evergreens and deciduous trees, making it the best of both worlds.
A lush green in the spring and summer, and in the fall, I’ll have a gorgeous burst of color.
In the winter, with the evergreen trees, it won’t be completely barren and will maintain my privacy.
Hallie takes a step towards the deck, but before she gets far, I reach over, grabbing her elbow to stop her.
“Don’t go up there,” I say, shaking my head and letting go of her elbow.
“It’s old, and a bunch of the boards are rotting.
It’s not safe.” Her eyes go wide, and she looks over at the deck.
“It’s one of my first projects. I don’t think it can really bear weight at all right now. ”
Jesse moves over, taking the two semi-decent steps carefully before toeing the third and watching a chunk crumble off. “Yeah, this thing is fucked,” he says, as if I don’t know.
“It’s about a third of the boards, so it’s salvageable. Just need to rip them out, then replace them. Thankfully, the supporting ones seem to be solid. I can start tearing the bad ones out tomorrow, then I’ll just replace the missing ones.”
“How are you planning to get them here?” Jesse asks, still inspecting the deck.
“Not sure. My car isn’t exactly built for it. I was thinking I’ll probably have to rent something.” I haven’t needed anything other than small, sporty cars to navigate the city in years, but I know I’ll have to replace it or get a second vehicle sometime before winter.
“I have a truck,” Jesse says. “I could head down to the store with you, grab what you need, lug it back.” Instantly, I shake my head, declining his offer.
“No, no, that’s not necessary.”
“I’m free on Monday,” Jesse says, ignoring my rejection. “Madden’ll help too. With the three of us, we’d get it done quick. Last summer, Mom had us build a deck on her place, so we’re pretty well-versed in it.”
Relief moves through me, knowing I have plans on Monday.
“I won’t be around on Monday. I’ve got a meeting in the city.
But thanks for the offer.” My plan right now is to do as much cleaning as I can today before driving back home to my condo to wrap up any loose ends.
Monday, I have one last meeting in the city, and after that, I’ll be headed here to meet the furniture delivery.
I ordered just enough to make the place livable while I clean and renovate it: a bed, a mattress, and a couch.
Up until just now, I was annoyed that I couldn’t line up my meetings and the delivery so I could move in right away, but right now I’m actually relieved.
That is, until Jesse speaks again.
“I can move some things around. Thursday good?” I shake my head.
“Really, I appreciate it, but I can’t—”
“I actually insist we do,” Madden says with a grin. “Because mom is trying to wrangle us into weeding her flower beds, and if we’re helping you, she can’t hold it against us.” I look to Adam, hoping he’s going to help, but he just shrugs.
I came here to escape.
To be alone.
To work with my hands in silence.
Not to have my neighbors helping me with that.
“It’s set,” Hallie says with a wide grin, clapping her hands, ignoring my internal struggle.
“The guys will come on Thursday to help with the deck. Then once it’s all done, we can have a welcome party out here!
” I open my mouth to argue about the plan or the party, I don’t know, but I don’t get the opportunity, regardless.
“Does ten work?” Jesse asks. I blink.
“Probably should do nine, since we might need to go to multiple stores, depending on what they have in stock,” Madden says, tapping on his phone screen.
“Good call,” Jesse says, then turns back to me. “So we’ll be here at nine.”
“I—”
“In the meantime, we have to head out. Emma will be getting back from a sleepover soon, and I promised we’d make cupcakes for family dinner tomorrow,” Hallie says, stepping towards the side yard. Dazedly, I follow the crew, unsure of what’s happening or how I got myself into this mess.
“What kind?” Madden asks, slinging his arm around Hallie’s shoulders.
“Red velvet,” she says, and they start to make their way towards the two vehicles parked in my drive that don’t belong to me.
“My favorite. You really do love me, don’t you?” Madden says. Hallie pulls her head back to glare at him, her look a brutal thing that could maim if it were tangible.
“Who said you’re getting any?” Madden, clearly used to her killing glares and sharp attitude, rolls his eyes.
“You can’t bring treats to my mother’s house and not give me any, Hallie.
I’m my mom’s favorite,” he says, and although I’ve never met Mrs. King, even I know that’s not the truth.
Jesse lets out a snort, confirming my assumption, and Wren looks at him, rolling her eyes, as we all follow Madden and Hallie.
“You’re delusional. Right now, I’m the favorite King, since I’m making an honest man out of your brother. Then it’s Emma, Wren, and Jesse. You’re at the bottom of the pyramid.”
“Oh, fuck off, I am totally above Jesse,” he argues, opening the passenger side door of the truck and watching Hallie slide in.
“Oh, so you really are delusional,” she replies as Madden follows her inside. Jesse, Adam, and Wren watch this without a bit of surprise on their face before Jesse shakes his head and makes his way towards the driver’s side.
“Thursday,” he says, then slides into his car, Hallie and Madden still loudly bickering inside, and drives off.
“What just happened?” I mumble to myself, staring at the taillights of the truck leaving my property. A small laugh comes from my side, and then a hand lands on my shoulder, Adam standing next to me with a knowing smile.
“Welcome to Holly Ridge, my friend.”
Somehow, I don’t think my retreat here is going to be nearly as peaceful as I had hoped.