Page 15 of The Write Track
“He did,” Hayley argued. “Stop making excuses. He would try to block her way in hallways when it was just her and invade her personal space.”
“He’s been banned from events for being a creeper,” Bree said calmly. “As for the woman, last time I checked, she’s in a hospital getting the help she needs.”
“And she went after you because she loved Brody?”
“She thought she could help him write better. It was a whole thing. Really, she was just a sad woman who needed mental help. Now she’s getting it.” Bree held out her hands in a “what are you going to do” motion. “I’m fine. I came through the whole thing unscathed.”
“And now you and Brody are getting married.”
“Yup.” Her smile could have blinded the sun. “Everything worked out how it was supposed to work out.”
“Except you guys are still living in two different houses,” Hayley pointed out.
“We’re going to fix that.” Bree’s tone was breezy.
“They’re not,” Hayley said to me. “They’re going to live separately forever. Their kids are going to be so confused.”
Bree scalded her with a look. “Stop. We’ve got it figured out. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Even though the conversation seemed serious, I grinned. The way Bree and Hayley got along reminded me of my mother and her friends. Nobody walked on eggshells, and nobody melted down at simple teasing. I wanted that kind of friendship for myself. Hopefully, I was close.
“Speaking of psycho stalkers,” Hayley interjected, making me realize she’d been sharing a long, meaningful stare with Bree that I’d missed until it was too late. “What’s the deal with Preston Micropenis Charles III?”
Surprise rocketed through me before I could calm it. “Oh, well, I guess you’ve figured out we know one another.”
“Yes, we’re not blind,” Bree agreed blandly.
I laughed, but it was hollow. “We used to date. For years, actually. It started during college and lasted until about two years ago.”
“You dated that guy?” Bree made a face. “I don’t want to tell you your business, but…”
This time when I laughed, there was real emotion behind it. “He’s a jerk. I know it. I just didn’t see it back then.” Even that felt disingenuous. “Actually, I saw it, but I kept telling myself it would get better.”
“Did he hurt you?” Hayley asked. “Because I know people. I grew up on a farm, and I have a lot of brothers. You might not believe it, but they can get in and out like ninjas. They’re surprisingly stealthy for guys who live in flannel.”
“He never hurt me in that way.” I held up a pair of leggings and smiled at the design, which boasted red lips with fangs everywhere. “This seems to fit my niche.” I held them up for approval.
“You’re teeny tiny and will look adorable in them,” Bree agreed, grabbing the leggings. “We’ll get them. You can wearthem to the first restaurant event, which I mistakenly thought wasn’t happening thanks to this stupid retreat thing, but I was wrong. We want to know more about this Preston guy.”
I had zero intention of keeping information from them. I really did want to forge bonds. “Okay, but let’s do it over lunch. I’m starving.”
“I think we’re going to need cocktails too.” Bree started for the counter. “Let’s go big. I know just the spot.”
BREE CHOSE BROKEN KEEL, WHICH HADseating on the water. I got the Mojito Mariner. Hayley went for the Tybee Island Sunset, and Bree for the Spicy Sailor. We ordered the Riverside Seafood Nachos, Southern Style Crab Cakes, and Firecracker Shrimp to split amongst us.
Talk turned serious as soon as we had our cocktails.
“So, what was the problem with Preston?” Bree asked. She smiled, but she was clearly ready to throttle him for my benefit. I appreciated it, even if I was embarrassed about how bad things had gotten between us.
“It’s important to know how I grew up to understand,” I started on a sigh.
“In Salem, one of the best places on earth,” Bree prodded.
“Salem isn’t perfect,” I cautioned. “It has good things about it and bad things.”
“That’s life,” Hayley said. “There’s no town that’s absolutely perfect.”
“I loved growing up in Salem.” I sipped my cocktail. It was good, but I momentarily missed my mother and the way she mixed a pumpkin martini. “My mother and her friends were a family unto themselves. I didn’t have any siblings, but I grew up with kids who I treated like siblings. They loved me the same way.”
