Chapter 31
Megan
The next day went by in such a blur. My work was busy, I had completely forgotten that we were hosting Michael Paxley’s campaign debate this weekend. I didn’t want to be here when that happened, but sadly since I agreed to be the host since Ryan and I were dating at the time, I have no choice. I can’t back out now despite everyone telling me I could. Ally even offered to host just so I wouldn’t have to look at Ryan and his family.
I couldn’t do it though. I couldn’t be unprofessional just because their son and I are no longer together. Alan came in earlier today to check on the setup and see how everything was going. He was nice to me, not at all the way I was expecting after his mother’s disgusting behavior the other day. Hell, he probably had no idea what she did. She was good at never letting her children see her as the manipulative, psychotic bitch she really was. I can’t blame them for not seeing it though, that is their mother.
Tomorrow we will start the preparation for hundreds of reporters and news outlets to swarm our library turning it from the quiet sanctuary that we all love into a three-ring circus. And not even the good kind. I let the day continue to just fly by without a second thought about the Paxley’s. Once Alan left around two I was able to continue on about my day without any other drama.
Stocking new books that we ordered, setting up the social media posts for an upcoming author signing that we were hosting the following weekend, and restocking the shelves with returned books. The children’s room was full of littles waiting on story time with Ally, but one little girl named Lydia was watching me. She was a bit of an oddball, but I adored her. I walk into the room, and she smiles, waving at me. “Hello, Miss Megan,” she chimes as I take the seat next to her on the wooden bench. Her black hair is up in pigtails today with an assortment of rainbow clips and beads throughout. Her dark brown eyes focus intensely on the book in my hand. “What’s that on about?”
I look down at the full collection of Edgar Allen Poe work in my hands. I know she would absolutely love it, and her mother might let her read it, but that wasn’t my call. “It’s a book of famous poems by one of my favorite authors. I think you’d like him, but it’s up to your mom or dad if they want you to read them,” I smile back at her. The look of pondering and concentration on her face is the cutest thing ever. She’s only about six or seven, but she is the most inquisitive little one I have ever met.
“I’ll have to ask my mommy. She’s here with me today. Are you staying to hear the story?” She perks up a little hoping I will say yes, but if I say yes Ally will force me to read too and I have a huge fear of public speaking. Especially to little kids, they are honest, brutal little truth flesh boxes with no filter! No thank you.
“I can’t today Lydia. Maybe next week okay?” I say to her, the look of disappointment a little rough for me to take, “How about this, I will give this book to your mom and tell her you are interested in it. This way you don’t have to think of a way to ask her.”
“Okay!” Lydia chirps, waiting patiently for me to allow her to hug me. I’ll say this much, she cares about peoples space more than most adults I know. I open my arms and she runs into me giving me a huge hug. “I’ll see you later!” She heads over to the rest of the kids as Ally finally enters the room, gathering all the children up.
I see Lydia’s mom sitting at the table with another little kids mom and head there. “Hello Megan. I hope Lydia wasn’t talking you’re ear off too much today.” Her mother greeted me as I made my way to the table.
“She’s a sweetheart Mrs. Miller. Actually, she was questioning the book in my hand. I told her I would leave it with you so you could decide if she could read it or not. She was pondering how to convince you to let her read it,” I smile as I hand her the green and black fabric bound hardback book.
“You can call me Harper; I understand you’re at work, but I feel like we are friends. You treat Lydia with such kindness that most don’t,” she says as she looks at the book, smiling. “I was waiting for her to show interest in Edgar Allen Poe. I have a different edition at home, but I will let her check this one out. We can always start off on some of the easier poems and stories.”
I smiled at her, “Lydia beats to her own drum. That’s a great thing that you nurture with her. I hope that when I have children I can do the same for them.”
“Lydia has been strong willed and marched to her own drum since before her birth. She came three weeks early and was walking before she was two. I hope she stays that way, not letting obstacles get in her way. I just wish the mismatched clothing would not be a thing, but whatever it makes her happy,” she laughs.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me Harper, I have to get back to work. I’ll see you both at check out,” I smile and excuse myself. Heading back out into the main floor to finish my rounds of restocking and also checking the shelves to make sure everything was where it belongs. Melissa loves that one of my quirks is that everything has a place and needs to be in its place.
Another easy close up for me, Lydia and Harper came by and checked out the book. Lydia kept thanking me for convincing her mom. We didn’t have the heart to tell her that there was no convincing needed. They were one of the last few to leave for tonight.
Max had a late shift tonight and wouldn’t be done until ten so I thought I would be riding home with Ally until Roark walked in just moments ago. Melissa had locked up her room and walked out onto the main floor doing her last-minute checks before she noticed Roark standing there.
“If you’re going to be here in place of Max, you can do his job. Check the exits please and make sure they’re all locked up properly,” she barked out the order and I thought Roark might actually snap at her, but he didn’t.
“Yes ma’am,” he said saluting her with two fingers. He stalked off down the many rows of books heading for the back wall where several of the exits were.
“I’m surprised he agreed so easily,” I said, gathering my things from my desk. Melissa stood across the desk from me and smiled.
“Rick has basically claimed Max, Roark, Tony, Andy and Peter as our children. They all have families, but each of them have had rough goes in life. Rick wanted to make sure that if they ever had a bad day or things went bad, they had someone other than blood they could turn to. Your Max has gone through the worst and I’m glad that he has you,” she smiled at me before continuing. “Rick questioned me about you. Asking if I thought you were a good person, if he should be worried for Max. I told him that you deserve to be happy.”
“So basically, you and Rick collect wayward kids who have seen some shit,” I laugh. “I mean no disrespect Melissa, but you practically adopted Ally and myself the moment you met us.
“You’re not wrong. I never liked Ryan for you. But I also couldn’t handle the grief of watching you come in here like a ghost after Matt. Remember sweetie, life doesn’t always give you second chances, but you are one of the lucky ones,” she said with a soft knowing smile on her face. Before I could say anything else, Roark came back to the desks.
“Everything is locked up nice and tight. If it’s alright with you, I have to get Megan home before I get my balls crushed in a vice grip,” Roark says with a chuckle. I don’t think Max would do that unless Roark tried something with me. But the thought of him crushing another man’s balls for just bringing me home late was kind of a hot thought. I shook my head at the thought of watching Max do just that. I didn’t want to think of Roark getting hurt. He’s become a good friend.
“Alright warden, I’m ready to go,” I joke. Melissa laughs as Roark just rolls his eyes. We head for the door, but something felt wrong. The alarms from one of the emergency doors began wailing, the exit lights started flashing. Melissa ran to her office door unlocking it quickly, Roark following closely behind her.
The sounds echoed off the walls and shelves, I felt off. Roark had just checked those doors. I had just checked those doors before him. You can’t get in from the outside unless they were left open, and you can’t leave them open without setting off the alarms. Someone was still inside the library. Someone who didn’t belong.
“Megan! Get your ass in here!” Roark yelled at me as he ushered Melissa in the office. I saw her picking up the phone to call 911 like we are trained to do, but I couldn’t be locked in a room. Something didn’t feel right about this. Roark took a step out of the office when a loud bang rang through the room.
Pain laced from the side of my head, blurring my vision. Roark was slammed up against the door, Melissa’s screaming had me pushing toward them. She pulled open the door knocking Roark’s attacker off his balance, she pulled Roark in the room and slammed the door shut. She looked at me with horror in her eyes. Another loud bang and everything went dark.
Fuck. My. Life.