Page 125 of Burning Skies
I pace around my small apartment as I try to figure out what I’m going to do tomorrow. My suitcase sits unpacked.
I can’t do it. I won’t pack and pretend like I’m going on some fun vacation.
Some time around midnight, I text Cynthia.
If I go to Vegas, can they force me to marry this guy?
She responds within seconds.
Don’t move. I’m on my way.
The next morning, I’m in a daze.
Nora Jean raises her hand. “Miss Honey, are you okay? You look kinda out of it.”
Nodding, I force a smile. “I think I’m fighting something, but I’ll live.” Though the dread coiling in my stomach suggests otherwise. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do tonight.
Maybe Cynthia is right and I should just hide out like I’m in the witness protection program. She showed up at one this morning with a wig and costume. I don’t know if she’s nuts for suggesting it, or if I’m nuts for considering it.
I still haven’t heard from Beau, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hurt.
I was hoping he’d say something to give me courage. Or make some wild declaration of love and tell me we should run away to get married.
But he’d never do that.
How could he when he’s possibly expecting a baby with another woman?
That thought nearly brings me to my knees. If this baby is his, I’m not sure I want to stay in Wild Heart. Because I won’t beable to handle seeing Beau and Mel walking around town with their child. Even if they’re not together.
Maybe… I need to let go of him. Maybe that would be best for everyone.
I wait for the tears, but they don’t come. Probably because I cried myself to exhaustion last weekend. Now I’m numb.
Closing my eyes, I rub my temple. I just need to get through the next few days.
If I go to Vegas, perhaps I can get the truth out of my father about our finances. If I look him straight in his eyes, hopefully I can tell if he’s being honest.
After class, I get to the office, drop my bag on the floor, and look around at my colleagues. Trish is yammering away about some committee. Laura is planning the Christmas party. And Adrian… Well, he looks stressed out. I’m almost glad I’m not the only one.
When the bell rings, I’m left with Trish, who pops her ass on my desk. “Did you hear? The cops are interviewing all of the newspaper kids.”
“Why?”
“Because Sheriff Reynolds thinks one of them is the arsonist.”
“That’s crazy.” I grab my water bottle and take a sip. Those kids are the first to volunteer to help.
“Is it? They’re always around after school. And they stand to benefit from all those juicy stories.”
She’s not wrong. “But that’s a lot to risk just to write an article.” Not to mention deranged.
“Oh, I almost forgot. The principal wants to talk to you again.” She gives me her crazy eyes. “Hey, maybe you’re the arsonist!”
This bitch is really getting on my nerves today. “Careful.There’s something called slander, and if you talk shit about me, you’ll regret it.” I don’t recognize myself right now. I sound like my brother, but Trish is pushing it. Maybe I’ve been spending too much time with Trig.
She throws up her arms. “I’m kidding. Jeez. Who peed on your Cheerios this morning?”
I don’t bother responding. When I get to the main office, a few of the newspaper kids are sitting in chairs outside. Through the window, I see Reynolds interviewing one of them.
