Page 52 of Denim & Diamonds

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve got too many damn responsibilities in this fucking town to ever forget who I am, even if I wish I could sometimes. Couldn’t lose myself if I tried.”

“All right. All right.” He chuckled. “Hey, wasn’t that the girl you dated in high school working in there? What was her name? Sasha?”

“Yeah. She had some nerve. Came over to me and started talking shit.”

“What did she say?”

“She mentioned that she’d heard aboutwhat I didto Nina—whatever the hell that means.”

“Whatdidyou do to Nina?”

“That’s exactly the point. People are just making shit up.”

He laughed. “Well, if there’s anything people in this town are good at, it’s talkin’ crap and making shit up.”

I tried to laugh, and I wished I could just shake it off. But the mention of Nina had gotten inside my head a bit. I’d never actually explained to February why my ex left town. And once she learned what happened, she might doubt whether we could make this work.

***

Later that evening, I was back at my house when I got a text.

February: I won’t be able to meet you tonight.

I hadn’t been sure whether we had plans, but I was hoping she’d sneak out as usual. However, at first, I was relieved. Given how hard it had been to control myself around her lately, it was probably safer to have a night off. But it also bummed me out, since she didn’t have much time left here in Meadowbrook.

Brock: Why can’t you come out?

February: I’m sick.

Brock: Crap, really? What are your symptoms?

February: Just feel run down. Maybe some kind of virus. I’ve been in bed all day. My new roommate went to another room to sleep so she doesn’t catch it.

Brock: Damn. I’m sorry to hear that, Red.

February: It’s okay. I’ll live.

Brock: Get some rest.

February: xo

I turned to Oak. “I told her to get some rest, but I should go over there. What do you think?”

He stared at me.

“Or is that too much? She’s sick. Maybe she doesn’t want me there. No one wants guests when they’re sick, right?”

Oak tilted his head.

“But she’s probably not eating if she’s sick. She needs to eat. She needs chicken soup.”

He let out a single bark.

“Now you’re awake because you heard the wordchicken, you big lug!”

He barked again.

“You think I should do it, don’t you?”