Page 111 of So I'll Know
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
MARCUS
My hand shakes as I try to paint a silver line across the surface of a plate, intersecting it with three other lines. I lean back, sweat running down my brow, and blow out a frustrated breath, staring critically at the wobbly stroke.
I toss my brush down in disgust and stand, bring the plate to the drying rack with my other pieces, then walk to the sink to wash my hands. I woke up pretty early and I didn’t want to wake Jeremy, so I snuck into my studio to work on a project I started a few days ago. My stress levels are high right now, and I can’t figure out how to relax.
Something happened in Vancouver between Sebastian, Fiona, and her stepfather, Dennis, and the Vancouver Police Department got involved. It’s the second time that the Vancouver pub has gotten negative press, and my father isn’t happy about it, which means I’m not happy about it. I’ve been fielding calls from Charlie, Sebastian, and my father, and it’s making my head hurt.
I really don’t want any of this shit to affect the success of theSeattle opening. It has to go well for Sebastian’s and Charlie’s sakes.
I move through my closet and find the bed empty but the bathroom door is closed. The water is running, so I assume Jeremy is showering. I sit heavily on my bed and pull my phone from the pocket of my sweats, worrying my bottom lip while I consider what to do.
Finally, I open up my contacts and hit the FaceTime button next to Sebastian’s name.
He answers pretty quickly, though the connection is a little choppy. Seb is obviously outside, based on the snow-covered trees behind him and the sound of the river in the background.
Where the fuck did they go? Northern Canada?
“Hey,” I say. “What’s good?”
He looks tired, stubble shading his jaw, but also somehow more rested. “Oh, you know how it is—just hanging out in a secluded cabin with a washed-up, smart-mouthed hockey player and our sister’s hot best friend. What could happen?”
I laugh. “You growing a beard?”
He runs his fingers along his cheek and gives me a wry look. “Not on purpose. I just forgot to shave, I guess.”
Now I know he’s full of shit. Something’s different. The kid has been shaving religiously since he hit puberty.
“Well, I’m just checking in.”
Suddenly, I hear a noise and realize the water has shut off. My eyes dart to the bathroom, my heart pounding, but the door stays closed. I focus back on the conversation at hand. “I was going to go back to Vancouver this week, but Gabriella took to your admin tasks pretty quickly. You should leave more often.”
“Thanks,” he says dryly.
I shrug. “Do you know when you’re coming home?”
“That, I don’t know yet, but soon, I think. Fiona has to sort out this stuff with her stepdad and the VPD before we can come back.” He stops and looks away, like he’s hiding something.
Worry? Fear?
“Is he dangerous?” I ask, my stomach churning.
“Who? Dennis?” The way he considers my question makes my nausea worse. “I think he’s dangerous to Fi if she’s alone,” he clarifies. “Which is why we’re still here with her.”
I press my lips together and nod. This is obviously important to him.She’simportant to him. “Just be careful. I know you can handle yourself, but after what happened with Charlie . . .”
“I know.” His words escape with a puff of white air, and he gives me a pointed look. “I assume you know better than to tell Charlie and the guys about all this?”
I chuckle. “She’s been calling me nonstop because she knows you’re hiding something.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That you have a huge crush on Fiona and you’re embarrassed about it.”
He glares at me. “Thanks for that, asshole.”
I give him a shit-eating grin. “I had to tell her something to get her off my back.”
