Chapter 4 Briar
brIAR
The entire afternoon flies by. Because honestly? This work is cut out for me. My uncle was a terrible hoarder, and I’m the opposite of that.
The farmhouse is crowded with boxes and useless things that seem to only have a purpose of adding clutter.
The pantry of empty boxes was just the beginning of the absolute mess I have on my hands.
It takes some serious elbow grease, but I’m able to clear the main part of the house before five p.m. I fill all four garbage bins out back and throw the larger trash into a burn pile in the dirt field.
Maybe I can have a bonfire. That’s what the country people do, isn’t it? I’ve watched it in a few movies, but I’ll have to have Grahm help me. I’ve never used anything but gas fireplaces.
My cheeks warm thinking about his easy smile. There are plenty of things he can help with if I was reading his body language right. I don’t mind the ones that are flirty right off the bat. The guys last night had such promise if not for their weird loyalty to Roman—pity.
I take a deep breath and purse my lips with frustration. There’s still no sign of that flash drive anywhere. No sign of anything worth a penny. My hopes were set a little too high, thinking it’d be easy to find.
My stomach growls, and I reluctantly go back to the horror-show kitchen that I just cleaned out. I still need to mop and sweep, but it’s better than it was. I’m just relieved there weren’t any rat droppings. Probably because there’s nothing to eat.
I bite my nails as I stare at the empty shelves. I should probably stock up on food; otherwise I won’t be eating at all tonight. I have enough cash to get me through the end of fall and part of winter as long as I don’t splurge. That means lots of pasta and ramen. Wine, of course, is a must.
I can’t even remember what a hamburger or pizza tastes like. It’s been a long time since I’ve forked over money for something like that.
When Mr. Holland said that I’d be going to a farm, I imagined one with crops and animals to tend to.
Fresh eggs, milk, and vegetables. I guess that was a little too hopeful.
But I certainly did not expect this wasteland of nothing.
What was my uncle even doing out here? He owned, like, fifty acres but didn’t bother tending to it at all.
It’s weird. How did he make a living out here?
There’re hardly any signs of life. I find it hard to believe he stayed in this house at all.
From what I remember, my dad used to say that his brother was secretive and lived on the go.
It was impossible to get in touch with him unless he reached out first. Which only adds to my stack of questions.
What could he have possibly been doing all these years?
Did he steal highly classified information?
I bite my nails, considering if I’ll check what’s on the flash drive when I find it.
My stomach growls.
Regardless of the answers to my questions, one thing remains: I need to go grocery shopping.
It’s almost seven p.m. by the time I’m peeking outside the blinds to make sure the coast is clear.
The Benz that was casing the farm last night might come back, so I check every window I can before slipping out the back door and locking it.
Not that it’d keep anything out with how flimsy it is, but it gives me a little peace of mind.
I quickly get in my car and check my makeup. I did a thin line of liner around my eyes and some mascara, nothing too flashy since I’m not trying to attract too much unwanted attention.
My worn-down blue hat pairs perfectly with my boyfriend-cut jeans and a tucked-in, oversized white T-shirt. It’s the closest thing to the townie vibe that I have. I’m hoping it helps me blend in with the locals.
My ombre ashy curls are exquisite today. It’s weird, I haven’t felt this good in such a long time. I remind myself not to get too attached to anyone here. Including Grahm. And as far as I know, I’m certainly not welcome.
I tug down my baseball cap more to hide my face, just in case I run into those guys again. I’ll be in and out. I’m not talking to anyone unless I have to, I drill into myself.
It’s only seven thirty by the time I get to Main Street, but the streetlights are already on and many of the small shops are dark with their closed signs on the doors.
This is a different part of town than Grahm took me to this morning, but I recognize it.
I drove through here at three a.m. last night on my alternate route to avoid the assholes.
It was a ghost town at that hour, but now there are plenty of people still out and about.
Families walking around and groups of teens and adults heading toward the small restaurants and bars.
A few of them glance at my car with curious looks but don’t pay too much attention to me. I let out a breath of relief. It’s actually a pretty cute town when you see it during the day.
There’re definitely more people living here than I originally thought too.
It likely just doesn’t have a night crowd, I’m guessing.
Or they stick to the bars and not random-ass diners in the middle of nowhere.
I give it more thought. Or maybe they go to whatever party I’m attending tonight. That could be it.
The grocery store isn’t hard to find. It’s at the end of town and has a moderate-sized parking lot filled with cars. I drive through the rows to make sure I don’t see any of the motorcycles or vehicles I saw at the diner last night.
Satisfied, I park and head inside.
I grab ten boxes of pasta, sauce, a few bags of rice, more coffee than an average person needs, and a carton of ramen.
The only thing I’ve ever actually cooked is spaghetti, and I’m very aware at how judgy people are of a young woman who can’t cook.
Imagine them casting me looks at the food in my cart while I’m glaring at a package of cookies and debating whether or not I can afford them.
Familiar voices come from the row next to mine. Deep laughter and teasing followed by a woman’s faint chuckle.
The guys from the diner.
My eyes widen, and I quickly toss the cookies back onto the shelf and beeline it for the checkout line. Fuck, of course they’re here, of all places. I try not to look too suspicious, but the cashier is already giving me a curious lift of her brow.
I messily stack my items on the counter, a little annoyed that there isn’t a self-checkout here.
“Hey, you’re a new face around here,” the cashier says cheerfully.
I flinch and look up at her. I’m taken aback for a second; she’s the prettiest blond I’ve ever seen. Her hair is styled perfectly, curls that shimmer effortlessly. She’s rocking the hell out of that black store apron too. Her lips kick up into a sweet grin.
“What brings you out here?” She swipes a few items slowly, clearly trying to drag it out so we can talk. If not for the guys from the diner, I’d love to chat and make a new friend. But I simply don’t have that luxury right now.
“Family,” I mutter, keeping it short and sweet.
Her brows pinch and a devious smile forms across her lips. “I’ll need to see your ID.” She nods down at the wine.
I fish out my wallet and hand her my ID.
She looks at my age and my name, then flicks me a bright-eyed smile. “Briar. That’s a pretty name. Barely legal, I see.” She giggles, and it confuses me.
I awkwardly grin, casting a weary glance over my shoulder to make sure the guys haven’t spotted me yet. “Barely?” I chuckle. “I’m four years over the drinking age.”
She entertains me with an amused smile. “Twenty-five is still really young. I’ve got six years on you, sweetie.” She passes my ID back to me casually, only holding it with her index and middle fingers. “My name is Hailey.”
I shove the card back into my wallet. She’s so kind that I can’t help but relax my shoulders and spare some chitchat with her. “Nice to meet you, Hailey. Have you lived here long? By the way, your hair is gorgeous.” Complimenting another woman is the apex of being a girls’ girl.
She giggles again, and I wonder how a person like her is stuck here in Bane Falls. “Yep, I was born and raised here. But for a small town, it’s actually pretty busy. And thank you! I was just about to say the same to you.” She winks as she bags the rice.
“Pretty busy?” I try not to grin. “This is easily the smallest town I’ve ever been in.”
Hailey laughs. “Trust me, there are towns around here much smaller than Bane Falls. And yeah, every summer we get a few big concerts that use our amphitheater. Being out in the middle of nowhere has its perks. It’s a great place for music festivals.
It brings a ton of people through here. But we also have some of the most insane parties out in the mountains.
How long did you say you’re staying again? ”
Is this the same party that Grahm’s taking me to?
“Hopefully just for a few months,” I say sheepishly. It’s clear I’m stuck for at least that long no matter what. Even if I find that flash drive, I need to sell the farm.
Her smile falters as she scans the last item. “Yeah, I figured. No one stays that long if they aren’t from here or come here for work.” She pauses for a few moments before an idea clearly hits her and lights up her expression. “Do you like races and beer?”
“Races? Like car races?” I half laugh.
“Yeah, they’re not official or anything, but it’s a lot of fun to do on the weekends around here. It’s the party to go to in Bane Falls. You should come out tonight!” It’s nice meeting another friendly person. It makes me sure that last night was just a fluke with the wrong crowd.
“I’m actually going to it already, I think, so it sounds like I’ll see you there. How does everyone keep contact out here without any service though?” It’s been a humbling day without a connection to the real world, and I’m annoyed by how off-putting it’s been not having access to my socials.
The corners of her lips pinch together like she’s confused before realization strikes. “You don’t have phone service out here?” Her voice is filled with amusement.
“No,” I say shyly. “I forgot to ask my ranch hand this morning. Any help is appreciated.” I laugh and rub the back of my neck.
“That’s probably because you’re from the city and you have a carrier that doesn’t have service over here in a small town like this. Oh! That reminds me, you said you’re here for family, right? I know everyone in town. Who are you related to?” she asks, seeming genuinely interested.
I cast another look over my shoulder to make sure they haven’t worked their way through the store yet. “I’m staying out at my late uncle’s farm, Arnold Thornton. You know, the one past all those cornfields.”
She gives me a hesitant look. “Oh… I’m so sorry for your loss. Arnold was a quiet guy, but he was kind. You’re staying out there all by yourself?”
I shrug. “Yeah, it’s not so bad, a little too eerie out there at night for me, though. It’s so quiet.”
Her expression turns concerned for a second before she slides a bag of groceries across the counter to me.
“I’ll be at the party a little after nine tonight.
” She changes the subject back to the party, scribbling down her phone number on the back of the receipt and passing it to me.
“I’m sure you’ll figure out your cell service eventually.
Just stop by the tech shop on Main Street.
Shoot me a text when you get service, ’kay? But I’ll see you tonight, I’m sure!”
I offer a grin. “Thanks, Hailey.” I wrap my arms around the paper bags and scoop them off the counter.
Deep laughs snatch my attention.
Shit. Hailey was so easy to talk to that I let it drag out too long. I flick a worried look over my shoulder and spot Bensen’s dark hair. Hailey opens her mouth to say something else, but I’m already racing out the door.
“See you around, Briar!” Hailey calls out, an innocent smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Oh crap.
I look at the group of men and catch eyes with John. His arm is wrapped around a brunette woman’s shoulder. Gale has his hands shoved in his shorts’ pockets. While Taylor and Bensen look like they’re ready to run after me.
John’s eyes widen, and his jaw clenches. The girl gives me a once-over and furrows her brows when John lets go of her.
I bolt, nearly dropping the precious groceries I can barely afford as I race across the parking lot. I start my car with trembling hands and speed down the road. I glance in the rearview mirror and spot Gale and Taylor running out of the store to see where I went.
Goddamn it. They’re going to tell Roman I didn’t leave town.
My leg bounces the entire drive back to the house, a thought gnawing at my stomach the whole time.
The diner guys like fast cars and motorcycles. They’re definitely going to be at the party tonight.