Page 69 of This for That (The Edge of Retaliation 1)
Jo steps inside the house, and is gone for about ten minutes. I wait in high anticipation, and when she comes out, I just about leap out of my seat with nerves as she walks across the road and gets into the car. The moment the door closes, she looks to me and says, “They are really nice people.”
“I didn’t doubt it,” I say, my voice shaky. “Well?”
“I told her what you said, and she was so nice about it, saying she always wondered what happened to the rest of us in that car. She told me a little about Celia. We didn’t go far into the house, just into the entrance, so I couldn’t see the living area or anything else, but from what I could see, there wasn’t any security system. Usually, they’re at the front door for when you come in, but there wasn’t anything that I noticed. I didn’t see any cameras, either. I think it’s just standard security—locked doors, screens, things like that.”
That means I might actually have a chance of getting in. I might actually pull this off.
27
NOW – CALLIE
I bang on Ethan’s door, my hand rapping at the hard wood over and over until finally, I hear it unlock and he answers. He stands, wearing nothing but a pair of exercise shorts, his hair ruffled from sleep, his eyes still blinking rapidly. I didn’t realize he was asleep, I feel bad, but at the same time, I’m sick of him ignoring me so he’s just going to have to deal.
He studies me, then murmurs, “What do you want, Callie?”
“Seriously?” I ask him, “What do I want?”
“Yeah. What do you want?”
Ouch. Ethan is never cruel. Never brutal. Never mean. He’s obviously pissed, which I can understand. I mean, it’s confusing for him, too. All of this is just a big mess.
“I want to talk to you. I’m not leaving until you let me do that, so I can stand here all day if need be . . .”
He exhales, then mutters, “I’m listening.”
“You’re ignoring me.” It’s not a question, but rather a statement. A fact.
“I’ve been busy.”
“No,” I say, stepping past him and walking into his house. I’ve only been here a few times. It’s nice, really big, really clean—he’d be a good man to live with. “No, that’s a lie. There is something wrong, and I’m not leaving until we sort it out. You’re my friend, Ethan. You’re important to me.”
I turn to face him and he’s standing there, arms crossed, staring at me.
Oh boy, Ethan is ripped.
Hot.
He’d have no problem getting women’s attention. I’m not sure why he’s so focused on mine.
“Look, it’s just best if you let me be, okay? You’ll thank me for it later,” he says.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? We’ve been friends for so long, and now you’re deciding that you’d rather we weren’t?”
He exhales, running a hand through his hair. “Callie, it’s complicated.”
“Because of Tanner?”
His eyes flash and he murmurs, “Tanner is bad news. You won’t hear me—you won’t even listen. You’re set on believing him.”
“How is Tanner bad news? You say this, but you give me no real reason to believe it. He’s rough, yes, he lives a hard life, yes, but he’s kind to me. So, unless you can give me a good reason, I’m going to keep seeing him.”
Ethan growls, low and deep. “Why can’t you just trust me?”
“Because you’re not making any sense, Ethan!” I cry, throwing my hands up. “This is pointless; we’re going through the same thing over and over again. It’s like banging my head against a brick wall. Look, I’m going to clear my name in regard to Celia. I’m going to start on a clean slate. I’d like if you’d join me in that, but if you can’t I understand. It would make me sad, though, because you’ve been there for so much, but I understand if you’re done with me.”
I turn and walk past him, but his arm stretches out and grabs mine, stopping me. “What do you mean you’re going to clear your name? How are you going to do that? Last time I checked, you had nothing in regard to Celia.”
“Well, things change. I found out some things. I know where she used to live. I’m going to go over there. I’m going to find my answers.”
Ethan’s eyes narrow. “He family are never going to just let you in, Callie.”
“Who says I’m going to tell them I’m there?”
His eyes widen. “You can’t be serious. Did you enjoy prison?”
“Get off your high horse, Ethan. You swore you’d help me with this, and you chose to ignore me instead of talking to me. I’m doing this, and I’m doing it whether you like it or not.”
“You’re risking everything for what? To uncover what exactly? What is it you think you’re going to find, Callie? Her parents would have gone through absolutely everything; if there was a secret hiding in there, they’d have found it. You’re risking going back to prison for information that doesn’t exist?”
