Chapter 31 #2
“It’s not that,” I say, glancing away. I haven’t worked here long, so this all sounds a tad dramatic. “I’m just spread too thin. Only so many hours in a day. School, the hockey stuff, everything. I need to focus my attention on certain things.”
“Focus.” He repeats the word, and I hear the shift in his tone. It’s still friendly on the surface, but there’s an edge to it that I don’t miss. My girl senses are starting to tingle, and I trust the hell out of those. “Or is it that you’re too focused on someone?”
I don’t answer because honestly, I don’t care for the question. Joey is crossing a line now. I get that he and Luke have issues that stem from before, and he gave me his little warning. That was far enough. I don’t need him trying to bang what he believes into my head.
“Because of him,” Joey says, and it’s not a question. “That hockey player.” He’s just being rude; he knows Luke’s name.
“Joey, you don’t understand—”
“I understand plenty.” He takes another step closer, and I don’t like it, but I stand my ground and stare him dead on. I can sense the change in him. I refuse to allow him to intimidate me.
“He’s controlling you, Madeline. Can’t you see that? First, he doesn’t want you here; next he won’t want you talking to your friends. I’ve seen guys like him—”
“Stop.” I hold my hand out. “You don’t know anything about him. Or me. This is my choice.”
“Is it?” Joey reaches out, his hand hovering near my arm. It’s a fight not to flinch away, but I’m holding my ground because it’s starting to feel like he wants to control me.
For a second, something flashes in his eyes, cold and calculating, completely at odds with his nice-guy smile.
It happens so fast I almost miss it, but then it’s gone, covered by that familiar, easy grin.
“I’m sorry,” he says, dropping his hand and stepping back.
“I care about you, that’s all.” That alone has the hairs on my arms standing up. He barely knows me to care this much.
Thankfully, he gives me space.
“I got the paperwork all caught up, so you should be good for a little,” I say, grabbing my stuff, the urge to get out of here strong. I no longer feel guilty about quitting. This entire interaction with Joey just lets me know I’ve made the right decision. Luke’s instincts about him were right.
“I appreciate that,” Joey says, his voice back to normal, friendly. “Thanks for everything.” I nod, stepping toward the door to leave. “And Madeline? If you ever need anything, you know where to find me. I’m always here.”
I nod again, telling him thanks before I make my escape out to the sidewalk. That was weird as shit. I tell myself I’m being paranoid, but something about that moment, that split second before the smile came back, made my skin crawl.
I check my phone, seeing the time. The innkeeper’s voice echoes in my mind, recalling how Emily kept to a routine each day.
I look up from my phone, and speak of the devil, Emily is walking past across the street with an oversized sweater and leggings on, her hair pushed back by her sunglasses that are sitting on top of her head.
That’s fate, right? Walking right past me at the perfect time. It’s a sign from the universe.
She glances my way toward the open garage door where they are working on a few cars.
I follow her gaze and see Joey standing inside one.
Emily gives him a half-smile, and I’m unsure whether it’s the kind you give when you accidentally make eye contact with someone or when you know each other.
I’m sure it’s a mix of both since she went to school here.
I shouldn’t do it, but it’s broad daylight out. I’m in the middle of town. I follow her.
Emily is half a block ahead, walking with purpose now, her head down. She turns into the coffee shop. I hang back for a minute, watching through the window as she orders at the counter then settles into a corner, pulling out a drawing pad.
Luke will be pissed, but it’s safe. I’m just a girl popping into the local coffee shop after work to get my fix.
I push through the door and walk to the counter. I order a latte and don’t pay her any attention while I do it. When my order is up, I grab the shitty coffee and head toward Emily’s table.
“Hi,” I say, trying to sound casual. “Is this seat taken?”
She looks up, surprised, her dark eyes widening slightly.
“That grumpy boyfriend you got isn’t going to be mad?” she says with a smile, referring back to the other day.
“Don’t take it personally. He’s always a grumpy asshole. It grows on you.” She lets out a small laugh but motions for me to take a seat, asking me if I go to Kingmakers.
“Yeah. I’m Madeline, by the way.” I cradle my coffee cup.
“I’m Emily,” she says. “I went there too. You didn’t give me the full Kingmakers prep vibe. Who is your family?” Emily takes a sip of her latte.
“Yeah, I don’t have a family name or money.”
“Oh, scholarship.” Her brows rise.
“Okay, it is kind of a scholarship,” I admit with a small laugh. “But a pity one. Don’t be thinking I’m one of the smarties.”
“A pity scholarship to Kingmakers.” She sounds skeptical.
“You remember the teacher Paislee Pearson?” She nods. “That’s my sister, and long story short, our dad died, I needed somewhere to go, and the dean was nice enough to say I’m more than welcome here.”
“Interesting.” She takes another sip of her coffee. I fall into small talk with her, but I feel like time is slipping from me. That soon she’ll leave or Luke is going to come bursting through the door Hulk Smash style. I bite the bullet.
“Did you know Coach Murphy? She’s missing. Been kind of crazy.” I say it casually. Emily’s face goes pale, but she quickly puts a smile back on. She looks around the coffee shop, suddenly nervous.
“I heard.” That’s all she says, and I sense now she’s ready to bolt. I’m proven right when she starts to pack up. “I should get going.”
I reach across the table and grab her forearm. “Please,” I say, lowering my voice. “I think something bad is happening. I think someone hurt her. And I think you might know why.”
Emily stares at me for a long moment, then she nods, just barely.
“Okay,” she whispers. “But not here. Not now.” She rips off a piece of paper and scribbles her number down, handing it to me quickly as she stands.
“Be careful, Madeline. You’re asking questions about things people don’t want answered. ”
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes.
Luke: Where are you?
I type back quickly.
Me: Coffee shop. Needed a fix.
Luke: Their coffee is shit…
Luke: Stay there. I’m coming.
I look up at Emily, who is already packing her laptop away. “I have to go,” she says. “Text me.”
She leaves, and I’m alone at the table with my shitty coffee, wondering what I’ve just gotten myself into.
And wondering how angry Luke will be when he finds out I talked to her.