Page 18 of Forest Proximity
I’m glad my friends have already heard about it, though. That was the point of sharing everything online. I don’t have time to waste. Whatever I saw is still out there, and if I can’t find him myself without vertigo knocking me on my butt, I’m recruiting. I’ve already gotten a few messages from people out of state who want more details. Those are coming in episode two of the podcast, which I’ll record right after this Tylenol kicks in.
Marlow smirks on the couch next to her boyfriend. “When word spread in the diner this afternoon, I thoughtthere’s no way. Do you have a secret recording studio in your closet? How did you do that so fast?”
I shrug. “I used my computer. It’s not fancy. I just need to get the word out.” Because the more people help me, the more likely I am to win this bet. And I am winning this bet. If I make some money on the side, even better. “And I might have ordered T-shirts to sell online. If I could put some out in the diner, that would be good. Get the tourists involved.”
My friend shakes her head. “You are a menace when school is out.”
I kick my feet onto the coffee table with a shrug.
“Well, you’re not the only one who works fast.” There’s an unsettling twinkle in Marlow’s eyes now. “Diana and I lined up your first date.”
I fake an apologetic look. “I’m afraid I have a concussion. My doctor has advised me to rest.”
August kicks his feet up on my coffee table across from mine. “You’ll be fine.”
“If you can record a podcast, you can go on one date,” Marlow says with a grin. “And don’t forget our deal. You’re doing this without complaining.”
Ugh. “Fine. When and who?” It’s not technically a complaint; I just sound like a teenager.
“You know what? Forget finding a man who’s good enough for you. With your attitude they won’t be interested. You gotta play fair.” Marlow curls into August’s side, and I try not to notice. “You need to have an open mind—”
“I have an open mind.”
“About something other than sasquatch,” August chimes in.
I laugh. He might not be wrong. “When and who?” I repeat.
Marlow laughs with me. “Friday night, and his name is Chuck.”
“Chuck?” Can I spend the rest of my life saying that name? Absolutely not. That’s strike one.
Marlow nods. “I didn’t want to give him your address, so he’s meeting you at the diner at seven. And you’re not going to nitpick this guy within an inch of his life.”
“I don’t do that—”
My phone buzzes on the coffee table, interrupting me. That has to be my brothers. I reach for it, swiping it open with a grin and anticipating multiple all-caps text messages. Instead, I have two messages from an unknown number. The first text is confusing.
UNKNOWN:
I’m impressed by how elegantly you handled Butterballsy today. I bow to you, Queen of the Forest.
[praise hands emoji]
[trophy emoji]
It takes far too long to jog my memory—possibly due to the minor brain injury—but I finally realize that it’s the text I sent to myself from Adam’s phone. I thought I was being funny, but ten minutes after I sent it, he told me to stay out of the forest like he owns the place.Pshaw.
His most recent text only adds fuel to my fire.
UNKNOWN:
Don’t encourage people to come into the preserve to find Bigfoot. Someone’s going to get hurt.
How does he know I’ve been recruiting help? Unless ...
Oh, no.
I laugh out loud. Somehow Adam must’ve discoveredSquatch Watcher.
