Page 90 of Animal's Reformation
Chapter Twenty
“Ican’t believewhat happened to Mrs. Paulson,” Alice said as she stirred the creamer into her coffee.
“I just found out about it,” Olivia said. “How’s Daniel?”
“I don’t think it’s sunken in yet. Poor kid. His grandparents have come in from Iowa and are staying with him.” Harper sat down on the cushioned chair in the teachers’ lounge.
“Where’s his dad?” Olivia asked.
Harper shrugged. “I don’t know. I heard that he hasn’t been involved in Daniel’s life since the divorce a few years ago.”
“What a creep.” Alice frowned.
“Hey, what’s happening?” Kennedy asked as she entered the room and walked over to the refrigerator. “Is there any orange juice? I feel a cold coming on, or it could be my damn allergies. The warm weather feels good, but the pollen is wreaking havoc on my sinuses.” She pulled out a carton of juice and grabbed a glass from one of the cupboards. “Why the glum faces?”
“We’re talking about Daniel and what happened to his mom,” Olivia replied. “It’s just so terrible, I can’t even imagine. The paper said it’s similar to two other murders that happened in our county.”
Harper’s eyes widened. “Are they saying we’ve got a serial killer in our town?”
“Not exactly, but the article I read is sure intimating it.” Olivia shuddered.
“I still can’t believe it,” Kennedy said after taking a sip of orange juice. “Have the police talked to Thurber? You know they had a thing going.”
Alice darted her eyes to the shut door, then to Kennedy. “Don’t say things like that so flippantly, especially now,” she whispered.
“Why not? It’s true.” Kennedy sank down into the chair.
“How do you know for sure? I’ve heard rumors, but …” Olivia’s voice trailed away.
“I saw them at the Lake Pine Motel. I thought I recognized Marcus’s car, and then I saw them kissing up a storm in front of room 17. I mean, if you’re going to be a douchebag and cheat on your wife, at least you should wait until you get into the damn motel room instead of flaunting it in the open.” She took another sip and looked at each of her friends. “Am I right?”
Olivia nodded, wrinkling her nose. “He’s despicable. I’ve never liked him, and the way he acts all lovey-dovey when he’s with his wife is sickening. I wonder if she knows?”
“Probably suspects it, but doesn’t want to find out,” Kennedy answered.
“Or she may be clueless.” Harper broke off a piece of her blueberry muffin and wiped her fingers on a napkin. “He can be very charming, and he plays the role of the guileless man quite well.”
“How do you know how he treats his wife? I’ve only seen them together at some of the school’s fundraisers, but I’ve never noticed him over the top with his affections,” Alice said.
“I tutor one of his boys at their house. Marcus is so polite and caring toward his wife—very different from the leech he is at school,” Olivia replied.
“I forgot that you help his son with his reading. Is Marcus always home when you go over?” Alice asked.
“Most of the time. I only do it once a week because I’m so damn busy with school. However, having that extra money, I bought curtains for the kitchen, and after work on Friday, I’m gonna put down a deposit on the cutest shutters for my living-room window. I can’t wait! I’m so sick of that damn sheet.” Olivia laughed.
“Speaking of being so busy, how’s your sexy biker?” Kennedy asked. Harper and Alice giggled and leaned forward in their chairs.
Olivia felt her cheeks flush, which was a dead giveaway that she was totally into a guy. The way Alice and Harper looked at her told her they knew—they were her best friends and nothing got by them. “Good.” She picked up her can of Dr. Pepper and took a long drink.
“That’s not going to cut it,” Kennedy said.
“You’re over the moon about him!” Harper said as Alice clapped her hands.
Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head. They knew, so why should she fight it? The truth was, she was so in love with Animal despite all of her good intentions not to be.The road to hell is paved with good intentions.She groaned softly.So true.
“So?” Harper’s eyes sparkled.
Olivia covered her face with her hands. “I’m crazy in love with him.”
