Page 159 of No Need to Run

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I shake it out, pacing in a tight circle like that’s going to help.

It does not.

“This is ridiculous,” I mutter. “It’s a nail.”

I glare at the wall like it personally offended me.

I try again because I’mnotlosing to drywall.

No way.

THWACK.

“Son of a?—”

The hammer clatters to the floor.

Again.

I press my forehead to the wall, eyes closed.

“Get it together,” I mutter. “You’re a grown man.”

A grown man who can't hammer a nail.

Fantastic.

I straighten, flexing my throbbing thumb, and reach for the hammer again?—

A knock sounds at the door.

Then the panic begins.

“Please don’t let that be my brother. Or Ivy,” I mutter. “I can’t handle their judgment right now.”

I cross the room, pulling the door open?—

And freeze.

Violet stands there, a smile on her face. A bag over her shoulder and a white plastic bag in her hand.

“I thought you might need help,” she says calmly.

I stare at her.

“How did you know I was here?”

She shrugs. “I had a meeting. Happened to drive past and saw your car.”

I stare at her… then down at her jeans and t-shirt.

She’s not dressed for a meeting.

But that doesn’t mean anything.

Right?

I glance down at my ratty old sweatpants and faded T-shirt. I’m not dressed for company. I thought I was going to be alone.

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