Chapter 5
five
EZRA
It was warming up at home, but apparently Buffalo didn’t get the memo that spring started. It’s snowing right now. In April. I love being a sports photographer, but I’m seriously considering switching back to baseball. It’s a much warmer sport.
“Jo and Harlow are doing podcast research and I’m bored,” I hear Willa say as I enter the hotel room I share with Declan.
“You could help them,” he says into the phone.
“It is getting kind of interesting,” Willa admits. Declan lifts his chin in acknowledgment when he sees me.
“Tell me about it,” he says.
I take a seat against the headboard of my bed, listening to their conversation. Is it rude? Sure, but Declan also has the phone on speaker. And I need to listen in to see if they’re talking about my case again. They haven’t in a while, but I know they didn’t give up.
“You know it’s this supposed murder of this girl in Maine, right?
Well, they accused the boyfriend, but guess what?
” Willa says, failing to hide the excitement in her voice.
“There’s no boyfriend. Harlow found friends of hers, and they swear she wasn’t dating anyone.
So either the cops made up a boyfriend, or she had a secret one. ”
“Oh damn, Princess,” Declan says, sitting up. He’s interested now, too. Can’t say I blame him. True crime is popular for a reason. “So there’s no body and no boyfriend.”
“Right! If Harlow hadn’t talked to the friends, I would think this Noelle girl didn’t even exist.”
“Noelle?” I blurt before I can think better of it.
Willa laughs. “Hi, Ben. How’s it going?”
“I’m good, Willa. How are you doing?” I ask, trying to recover from my blunder.
“Good! Just talking about the Melt the Ice research with Hockey Boy. Are you a true crime fan, too?”
“Sometimes,” I answer.
“I have to go. Cal is back with dinner.”
“See you tomorrow, Princess. I love you.”
“I love you, too!”
Declan hangs up the phone and turns to me. I pause with my hand halfway to my ear where I was about to put my headphone.
“What?”
“Do you know something about that case?” he asks, watching me carefully.
“No. Why would you think that?” I know my voice is steady and my facial expression is blank. I’ve had years to practice it.
“You yelled out ‘Noelle’ in either shock or recognition. Maybe a little of both.”
Sometimes I really hate that Declan isn’t the typical dumb jock stereotype. He’s smart, and he pays attention. It’s part of what makes him such a good hockey player. Honestly, it’s part of what makes him a good friend, too.
“I just knew a Noelle once. Haven’t heard that name in a while.” I shrug, going for nonchalance, but judging from Declan’s narrowed eyes, I’m failing.
“Is that Noelle still alive?”
“I hope so. I haven’t seen her since I was in high school. We dated for a week when I was still trying to be straight.”
Declan snorts. “That went really well for you.”
I smile. “Clearly.”
“Come on. Let’s get dinner. The team is going to that bar that had that weird burger you liked.”
“The peanut butter and jelly burger?” I ask, not masking the excitement in my voice as I follow Declan out the door.
“Fucking disgusting,” he grumbles under his breath.
I shake my head and smile. I’m lucky he sees me as a friend and lets his suspicions die.