Page 39 of Nocturnes & Nightmares

I drive the new car, which rides like a dream, to Jonah’s house, and smile when Oliver walks up with a confused look on his face. “Hey, Champ, how ya like my new wheels?”

His brows furrow deeper, and I chuckle.

“Just a rental. The Jeep took a shit, so I have to drive this until it’s fixed. Hop in.”

Jonah strolls up behind him, holding a mug that says Not all heroes wear capes. “Everything work out with the Jeep? I’d have come picked you up, you know.”

“Everything is great. Voss helped me out.”

“Voss, huh?” Eye squinting, he takes a sip of coffee. “So, how is the new roommate?”

Oliver’s head snaps in my direction, and I catch Jonah’s flinch.

“Sorry. I forgot he hasn’t heard the news yet.”

Licking my lips, which suddenly feel as dry as cotton, I scratch the nape of my neck and smile back at Oliver, unsure of how he’ll feel about another man in the house. I meant to tell him and introduce him to Voss. Eventually. “So … there’s a guy. He’s going to be living in the apartment behind the house.”

Oliver’s pale blue eyes glower with the kind of anger that could peel the paint right off the walls, and when he directs his attention toward the windshield, crossing his arms, it’s a sure sign he isn’t thrilled with the idea.

“It’s only for a month, Oli. And we’ll have some extra cash. In fact, I was thinking we could order some pizza tonight. How’s that sound?” I haven’t ordered a pizza in months, thanks to being flat ass broke after groceries and bills.

“Um. Diane … she ordered pizza the other night.” There’s a sheepish quality to Jonah’s voice, as if he still feels bad for ruining the surprise. “Sorry, Nola.”

“No. No, that’s fine. Maybe I’ll make dinner tonight. Something good that you used to like as a kid.” I ruffle his hair and force a smile. “You still like spaghetti, right?”

Eyes sliding to the side, Oliver nods and unravels his arms.

“Good. Spaghetti, it is!” Twisting the key, I fire up the Explorer, trying not to let Jonah see the look of relief on my face. He’d tell me that I don’t have to try so hard to make Oliver happy all the time, that everything I do is enough, but Jonah doesn’t know what it’s like to go to bed every night feeling like it isn’t. He doesn’t understand that a parent’s worst fear is watching a child try to deal and silently process the brutal and unforgiving nature of some human beings.

I try to put myself in Oliver’s shoes every day, and it makes me angry, too. The betrayal, the fear, the untimely annihilation of innocence.

And I can’t reverse it for him. I can’t fix it or undo what’s already been done. All I can do is pave the way to something brighter, less dark. To preserve those small bits of innocence from his past and let him reconnect with the carefree boy he once was. So, if that means making spaghetti for him tonight, that’s what I’m going to do.

“Thanks again, Jonah. Tell Diane she’s my rock star.”

“Will do.” Hand reaching through the window, he tugs me forward and plants a kiss on my forehead, then reaches out to give Jonah a handshake. “Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

* * *

The moment we walk through the door, Oliver dumps his duffle bag at the entrance and runs up the staircase, probably to his bedroom. With a sigh, I lift the bag that’s decorated in Minecraft characters up from the floor and set it out of the way. “Glad to have you home, buddy.”

The doorbell rings, and a quick peek through the peephole shows Simon standing on my front porch. I snort at the sight of him, recalling Voss’s words from earlier, and open the door.

“Hey, Nola. I, um … just came by to check you out. I mean, check on you.”

“I appreciate that, Simon. I’m good today. Just a minor hangover, is all.”

“Good. Okay, well, have a nice day, Nola.”

Slapped with confusion, I tilt my head, watching him trot down the stairs like he’s seriously leaving already. It’s so ridiculous, I have to stifle the urge to laugh. “Simon! Um … do you … want a cup of coffee, or something?”

“No, no. I don’t want to trouble you. I just wanted to check and make sure you didn’t pass out and crack your head on something.”

“It’s coffee, Simon. No trouble.”

“Maybe just one. And then I’ll go. I have lots of errands to run today.”