Chapter 17
It’s ten in the morning when Lily pulls into the driveway of her grandparents” summer house. The moment I catch the first glance of the big cabin, many fond memories of my childhood flood into my mind. For many summers, this place was my escape–my safe haven. Where I could get away from my parents for at least a few weeks, far away from the abuse and the drugs. The O”Briens always took care of me, and from them, I learned what a healthy family should look like. Unfortunately, their love didn”t save me from falling into the wrong crowd.
When Lily went to college, I had to start working. My first and last somewhat legal job was in a shady bar that was hidden in a dark alley where no eighteen-year-old should be working. Many of the regulars were sketchy men, and everyone was aware that they were criminals. It”s no surprise the bar was where I met my first employer, who introduced me to the world of professional killing.
Now that I”m back at one of the few places that fill my heart with warmth, I”m going to enjoy my time and relive the happy moments of my childhood with my dearest friends. After getting settled in our rooms, the first thing we do is change into our swimwear and take a dip in the freezing cold lake. We explore the forest and pick flowers around the lake for a cute and colorful bouquet to decorate the dinner table. It’s as if we’re all fifteen again, having a great time with no responsibilities to worry about. Back at the cabin, we settle down on the big, cozy sofa and watch romance movies until the sun sets, casting a beautiful pink glow over the forest and lake.
When night falls, we light a campfire in the big fireplace in the backyard. The flickering warm orange flame dancing around the wood lights up the night. We are four bottles of wine into the night, our conversations jumping from one topic to another, accompanied by a lot of laughter. While trying to put my melted, sticky, white marshmallow between my crackers, I make a mess, and my hands are now covered in the sugary goo, which draws another round of laughter from my friends.
”Eve,” Lily, sitting next to me on the old log, leans in closer and rests her head on my shoulder. ”We need to find you a boyfriend.” The words leave her somewhat slurry.
”Really, why?” I raise my eyebrows and lean into her.
”Because you”re the last single pringle in our group.” Lily”s face lights up with a cheeky grin.
”Thanks for pointing that out.” I sigh and feel a touch of heat rise to my cheeks. I”ve always been the single friend. Even in high school, I didn”t date, and after graduation, I didn”t have the time and simply couldn”t allow myself to date anyone, even though I had a crush or two. I was too preoccupied with other problems at the time.
”It would also eliminate the threat of another potential stalker. A boyfriend might scare them off.” She chuckles. If only it were that easy to scare off a hitman. A lot of girls, myself included, would have been taken if that were the case.
”Leave her alone.” Sarah rolls her eyes and playfully shushes Lily.
”Oh, come on, we”re all thinking the same thing!” Lily wraps her arms around my middle, narrowing her eyes as she looks at me, ”Is there really no one who has caught your attention in the last year or so?”
I sigh. Maybe it”s best to play along for now. Otherwise, she won”t let it go all night. ”Maybe there”s someone...”
”I knew it! Tell us everything!” Lily says, and I fall silent for a moment to collect my thoughts. A simple lie that isn’t too far from the truth will have to do.
”You know that wedding I was at a few weeks ago? We met there and had a one-night stand, but there’s nothing more going on.”
”What do you mean?”
”We’ve kept in touch, but I believe we both want different things.” To be specific, he wants to kill me, and I want to live.
”His loss. He has no idea what he”s missing!” Lily says.
”Thanks, Lily, but it”s no big deal.”
”Why are guys such idiots, huh?” Lily raises her cup of wine. ”Forget that asshole, you”ll find your Mr. Right, I”m sure. Let”s drink. We only need each other.” The others cheer, and soon, we empty another bottle of wine.
It’s almost midnight, and the fire has died down to a small pile of embers, pulsating as it gives off the last of its heat. We”re in the process of cleaning up outside to head in for the night. I pick up the bottle of wine when I hear a rustling in a nearby bush. Lily screams at the sound and runs up to the porch of the house.
”What was that?” She yells.
”It’s probably just a raccoon.” I chuckle and grab some crackers and throw them on the ground. ”I guess they smelled our food and got hungry too.”
I join Lily and the others on the porch and usher them back into the house. The moment the glass door closes behind us, and the outside falls silent, just as I predicted, a group of small raccoons waddle out of the bushes and dive for the crackers I threw.