Page 12 of A Sublime Casualt

“It was mutual.” Redeemed! “But I hurt him.” Her lips press tight, eyes watering on cue. “He’s a great guy and an even better catch.” She takes a deep breath while casting a hard look to the door. “You know, I think I will give him a call.”

Just great.

“Do that,” I muster all the coed-based enthusiasm I can. “You never know what could happen. Life is short. You gotta move fast.” Got that off a bumper sticker from a hippie van that took me to Des Moines. Ah, the wisdom. I knew it would come in handy. I’m sure my algebraic knowledge will be needed next. I turn to leave and she taps me over the arm.

“I see you in here all the time.” She gives a sweet smile. “Don’t be a stranger. I’m a people person myself.”

I bet you are. “Thanks. I’m sort of still new to the area.” But this townie already knows that, I’m sure. “Is it safe to walk the streets at night alone? I’ve seen posters everywhere about that missing girl.” She flinches as if I’ve struck her, and I gasp. “Did you know her?”

“Lizzy Hartley?” She leans in, whispering her name like a dirty secret. “We were pretty good friends. Her brother was my ex.”

“Oh my God.” I feign a mixture of shock and grief. “What happened to her anyway? I mean, how does somebody just disappear like that? In Wakefield, no less.”

A dull laugh rumbles from her as she arches her neck back. “Welcome to the new millennium. Nobody is safe anywhere these days.” Her affect darkens. “Lizzy had problems. She wasn’t your average girl next door. She liked to get a rise out of people.” She grunts, “I mean, I guess everyone has two sides to them, but Lizzy had fifty.” She leans in. “Fifty shades of gray, if you know what I mean.”

“What?” I jolt to life. Ashley here is impressing the living hell out of me. I’m not sure who’s more entertaining, her or her ex. “But I thought you said you didn’t have erotica here.” I tick my head, silently begging for more. If Lizzy had a naughty side, I can’t leave without all the juicy details. Throw me a morsel, Ashley. My mouth is watering.

“Wakefield doesn’t. But that’s never stopped my Lizzy.” My Lizzy. She offers a delicious smile. “Don’t be a stranger.” She starts to take off, then turns. “Oh, and enjoy dating! It’s the spice of life.”

“I will. And good luck with your ex.”

I may or may not tell him you said hello.

I head on out and take in a lungful of the chilled Wakefield night air.

Lizzy had a wild side. I wonder if her brother knows about that? Good thing she’s up for discussion tomorrow night. I know what I’m having for dinner. A sister skewer with a side of lies.

Theo

“Saturday night.” Jackson chides as I comb back my hair one more time. “Someone’s getting lucky.”

“You,” I flatline as I head out and snatch up my phone and wallet. I texted Gabby and told her I’d be there at four, and Charlie agreed to it. “Charlie and I are taking things slow. We’re just feeling one another out. She’s timid. Gun-shy.”

“Hey”—he tosses up his hands—“feel each other out all you want. In fact, I encourage it. It’s been a while since you’ve tested out the pipes.”

“Would you stop?” I toss the remote at him, and he catches it mid-flight like a ninja. “It’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone—you know, dating. Ashley and I were together for so long, and before that were just a handful. I don’t want to screw this up.” I offer up a quick fist bump to my overeager cousin before heading for the door. “Besides, we’re talking about Lizzy tonight. It’s probably a good icebreaker for us.”

“You think your missing sister is a good icebreaker? Dude, you belong in a psych ward. If Lizzy was here, she’d knock some sense into you.”

“Well, she’s not, and she needs to be. And Charlie said she wouldn’t mind taking a look at things.”

Jackson folds his arms over his chest, that demonic Irish look in his eyes. “Make sure you tell her what Neil said this afternoon.”

I mull it over for a second. “I will.” It turns out that there were no DMs from Lizzy. It was bullshit. Miles was stoned. End of story. Neil said he roughed him up a bit. That he won’t do it again.

“Miles is a sick asshole.” Jackson shakes his head my way as if trying to brush it off. “We’ve always known that. The thing I don’t get is that he’s so night and day from Thomas. Look, I’m not judging the guy, but I didn’t see him shed a single tear when it all went down. Thomas looked as if he were about to sink in a grave.”

“That’s because Thomas genuinely loves my sister. Miles is an inconvenient moron who happened to be there for the rebound.” True story. I step out and glance back. “Do me a favor and get lost for the night, would you?”

“Optimistic. I like that. Gabby’s already taken care of it. I’ll be at her place until morning. I’ll be sure to tuck a condom under your pillow for you, sweetheart.”

“Geez.” I groan as I head into the icy air. “Thanks, man. Bury it in the nightstand,” I shout as I head out to the truck with a spring in my step. For the first time in over a year, I feel light, so unlike myself it’s freeing.

For the first time in over a year, I actually have something to hope for.

* * *

Charlie isa stunner in a tight blue sweater, dark matchingtightas all hell jeans, and a pair of black suede boots that ride up to her thighs.