Chapter 36
BLAKE
Apparently, it’s Bring Your Roommates to Work Day at the Evergreen Falls police station, and Walker is gung-ho for it.
I planned on sleeping in for the next week or year after my near-death experience—an event I do my best not to think about. I cuddled up to Walker in the ginormous bed that Santiago insists we all sleep on.
The first night in bed, Walker got in begrudgingly, but every night since then, it’s been assumed. Like we all have a “spot” on the bed. Except for Levi and Santiago. They switch sometimes. It depends on who wins their nightly thumb war.
Today, I was relaxing in a nice bubble bath when Walker barged in and informed me we were all going with him to the station and that I needed to get ready. I made an obscene hand gesture and forced him out of the bathroom.
Being the hellion that I am, I decided to take my time.
And then some.
So when I’m the last person to the truck, it’s no surprise.
“Are you sure you’re ready? I think you may still have a hair out of place,” Walker sasses from the driver’s seat as I stride toward him.
“You’re just jealous that you can’t look this good,” I tease, pretending to primp my hair. When my arms fall to my sides, I find something amiss.
Santiago and Levi are already in Walker’s truck.
And there’s only one bench.
Which means three seats.
My mouth turns down into a frown. “Are we recreating what it’s like to drive in a clown car?”
“It’s easier this way. Just get in.” Walker motions to the cab.
I arch my brows. “Where is Bear supposed to sit?”
“He’s staying here with Javier,” Walker decides.
As if they rehearsed this, Javier strolls our way, stopping at my side, and I gape at him.
My arms open wide and automatically wrap around him, and I bombard him with questions. “When did you get out of the hospital? Should you even be out of the hospital? How is it that you look perfectly fine? Does your head still hurt at all? Did you get Jello in the hospital? What if—”
“Slow down, princesa.” Javier’s hands clasp my upper arms, gently pulling me away from him.
“Let the man breathe, mi Cielo,” Santiago shouts through Walker’s open window.
“I’m fine. Everything’s fine. I’ll keep Bear with me today. I promise he’s in good hands,” Javier reassures me.
I nod to him, then drop to my knees to hug Bear goodbye. “Be a good boy, okay?”
Bear grumbles like a grumpy teen who’s embarrassed to be seen with his mom.
Rising to my feet, I disregard social norms and hug Javier again. “I’m happy you’re okay.”
Javier returns my embrace. “You too, princesa.”
With one more goodbye, I cram myself into Walker’s truck, and Walker peels away, probably irritated with me taking my time.
The entire ride, Levi, Santiago, and I are a jumble of limbs. There’s an elbow or knee in my stomach, and what I think is a hand on my ass. Getting out of the car is a relief.
Jo greets us as we all go inside. Tessa bats her lashes at Walker, then squints at me. Ridge waves enthusiastically.
Aside from waking up, it’s a good morning. That is, until I see who is waiting for Walker in his office.
A woman, looking worse for wear, sits in one of the chairs in front of Walker’s desk. Her hair’s wild waves are stringy, and her skin, which used to match mine, is an unhealthy shade. Dark circles pull on the bags under her eyes.
I freeze in place, my heart stumbling over its rhythm. “What’s going on?”
Levi wraps his arm around my waist as Santiago and Walker continue to his office.
“Walker had Ridge pick your mom up this morning for questioning,” Levi whispers in my ear as his hand rubs comforting circles on my back.
A worthless, good-for-nothing burden.
“Why?”
“The financial records for Reverend Ricks finally came in. He withdrew three hundred dollars in cash from the church account every Saturday for the last six years,” Levi explains.
You do nothing but take.
My chest constricts. “What does that have to do with Mama?”
Levi brushes my hair back. “That’s what Walker intends to find out.”
“Then why am I here?”
Before Levi can answer, Santiago exits Walker’s office, and his eyes land on us. “What’s going on?”
“I knew we should’ve told her before we got here,” Levi argues with Santiago in a hushed tone.
I eye Tessa, discreetly watching our exchange, though I doubt she can hear anything that’s being said.
Even if she could hear, I’m not sure I would care.
There’s a reason I haven’t spoken to Mama since the day I found the first body. The things she said were nothing new, but that doesn’t mean I want to hear them again.
Walker quietly closes his office door behind everyone. The room suddenly feels much smaller.
I stay near the door while Loretta sits in the chair, arms folded.
Walker remains standing and doesn’t waste time.
“Loretta, we received Reverend Ricks' financial records this morning.”
My mother's expression doesn't change.
Walker opens a folder and slides several printed bank statements across his desk. “For six years, Reverend Ricks withdrew three hundred dollars in cash every Saturday.”
Mama’s eyes dart to the side.
“Can you explain that?”
Mama barely glances at the papers. “No.”
Finally, he asks, “Do you know where that money went?”
Mama rolls her eyes. “I don't know anything about the church's finances.”
Walker slides another document toward her. “We do.”
Mama doesn’t respond.
“The withdrawals stopped the week Reverend Ricks died,” Walker continues.
Mama still doesn’t utter a word.
“And according to the bank,” Walker looks directly at her, “those cash withdrawals match deposits into your account.”
My brows knit together.
Mama’s jaw tightens minutely, but I notice it.
Walker sees it too. “Loretta?”
She lets out an irritated sigh. “He was helping me.”
My stomach knots.
Walker folds his hands together. “Helping you with what?”
Mama rubs her forehead. “Bills.”
“Helping how?” Walker questions further.
“Money was tight.” Mama folds her arms.
Walker doesn't let her off the hook. “So Reverend Ricks gave you three hundred dollars every week.” Walker doesn't blink. “For six years?”
She sighs dramatically. “I’m a single mother.”
Levi quietly speaks for the first time. “Blake hasn’t lived with you for twelve years.”
She shoots him a glare. “My husband is still dead.”
“What did you have to do for the reverend in exchange for the money?” Walker presses.
Mama refuses to look at him, shooting a glare my way instead.
“He was paying me for sex,” she finally spits out.
My mouth hangs open, unsure how to respond.
Mama pivots in her chair to face me. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Mama, if you would’ve told me, I could have—”
“You’re one to talk,” she snaps.
My brows wrinkle together. “What?”
Mama sits up straight in her seat. “Whoring around now?”
I flinch as if she just slapped me.
“Watch your mouth, Lor,” Santiago warns.
“Blake is my daughter, and I’ll speak to her however I please,” she sneers at him. “Answer the damn question.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not.”
“Rumor has it you went home with Santiago last week, then fucked Levi in the bathroom at the Timberline the other night.”
I cross my arms. “Who I sleep with is none of your business.”
“It’s my business when your choices reflect poorly on our family,” she snaps.
My eyes widen as I point at my chest. “My choices? What about yours?”
“Don’t you take that tone with me.” Mama narrows her gaze.
I throw my hands up, done with this hypocritical nonsense. “You’re a goddamn alcoholic, and you’re worried about my choices.”
Mama looks down her nose at me. “I’m allowed to have a drink or two with dinner.”
I scoff. “More like a drink or two every ten minutes.”
Mama gets to her feet to face me. “I’m not the one sleeping with your daddy’s friends. Have a little integrity, Blake.”
“Lor,” Levi barks.
Mama turns to Levi. “She’s been whoring since she was a little girl. Did you know that?”
A pit opens up in my stomach, and I struggle to breathe.
“Mama…D—did you know?”
“Of course, I knew. I know how you seduced him. How you told him you’d lie to the police about it if he didn’t do what you wanted.” Mama looks me up and down with contempt.
My voice hollows. “I was a little girl.”
“A little manipulative bitch,” Mama snaps. “Landon was so disgusted with himself, with what he had done,” she turns back to Walker, gesturing to me, “what she forced him to do, that he ended his life early.”
“I—I didn’t…” I shake my head, struggling to swallow it all. “When did you know?”
Mama’s glower punctures a hole in my chest. “I found his journal after he died. He wrote about the whole thing.”
Santiago steps between Mama and me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Loretta. That’s enough.”
Mama makes for the door to leave, shooting me one last repulsed. “You disgust me.”
Walker follows Mama out. “Ridge, take Loretta home. Now.”
Nobody notices me move, or maybe they do. I don't know. I can't hear anything anymore.
Not Walker. Not Levi. Not Santiago.
The office door opens beneath my hand, and the hallway blurs. Someone says my name. Then again louder.
I keep walking.
Jo looks up from the front desk.
I don't stop.
The front door swings open, and winter air slams into me hard enough to steal my breath.
Good.
“Blake!” Walker’s voice.
I don't turn around. If I look back, if I let one of them touch me, I'll fall apart.
So I run.
The snow crunches beneath my boots as I sprint across Main Street, not caring where I'm going.
Only that it's somewhere.
Anywhere that isn't here.