Page 43

“Yes, well, if I had done her wrong, I would agree with you, but we all know it was the other way around.”
Steve shakes his head. “That’s not how Megan will see it.”
I heave a sigh, the weight of his truth pressing heavily on my shoulders. “Yes, I know.”
On the drive back to Emma’s house, she hardly speaks. Gone is the happy, lively energy she had before Megan arrived on the scene. When I finally pull the Audi to a stop, we both just sit there for a minute. I don’t want her to leave with things unsaid, but at the same time, I don’t know what to tell her.
“So,” Emma says, after what feels like an age, “how long is she staying?”
I shrug. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
“Why is she even here?” Emma asks.
“I don’t know that either.”
Emma flashes me a disbelieving glance.
“Truly, Emma. I don’t know.”
“I do,” she replies.
I look at her then, waiting for her to elaborate.
“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? She’s here for you.”
I shake my head firmly. “That boat has well and truly sailed. I told you that the weekend we were away. Megan was the woman who used me as a stepping stone to get fame. She was also great at spending my hard-earned money.”
“I see,” Emma says, her tone revealing some understanding.
“You have to know, Emma, I don’t want her here any more than you do. But it’s a free country, and I can’t run her out of town.”
“No, course not,” she says quietly with a nod. “Okay, well, I’d better get going. Early start in the morning.”
I watch her walk up her path with a heavy feeling in my gut. Something is going to go down, and I don’t like it.
The following morning, I wake with the same ache in my gut that followed me into slumber last night. Megan is here to cause trouble. But why now, after all this time? Surely, it can’t simply be because Emma and I are supposedly getting married. Even if she breaks us up, which isn’t going to happen because it’s all fake anyway, she knows I wouldn’t take her back.
Sometime after ten, my phone beeps with a message. When I check the screen, the text is from John.
Megan is already at it. She’s talking to people in the town, telling stories about you.
I roll my eyes and text back.
There’s nothing they probably don’t already know.
John comes back.Maybe. Just thought I’d give you a heads up.
Thanks, man,I text back.
Why couldn’t she just leave me alone? She always did like to stir trouble. I think back to Emma’s words last night.
“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? She’s here for you.”
And maybe Emma is right. Maybe Megan has seen the news and has decided, being the little psycho she is, to try and ruin things so she has another chance. But it’s just not going to happen.
A little later, I grab my coat and car keys. I have an appointment with Emma in a half hour, but I want to hit the diner first. If anyone knows what’s being said, it’ll be Jimmy.
16