Page 24 of What He Never Knew
“What do you think so far?” I asked when I spottedFight Clubsticking out of her bag next to her mat. The bookmark was about a third of the way in.
She eyed me curiously for a second before she followed my gaze, and she smiled. “Honestly, I’m just happy I got past the first chapter. I thought for sure it’d go into mydid not finishpile, along with every other book I’ve tried to read this year.”
“So, you like it so far?”
She shrugged. “I think so. He’s got a dark sense of humor, and I love the subtle hints of minimalism. Crazy to think about how much we think we need that we really don’t.”
I nodded, impressed that she’d already picked up on that. “You meditate, eat plant-based food, and know the definition of minimalism. Are you sure you’re only twenty-one? Because you take better care of yourself than I ever did at that age.”
Sarah chuckled. “Not hard to do, judging by all the cereal at your place.”
“Touché.”
We fell silent then, and she slipped back into her calculated breathing while I fought the urge to light up another cigarette. I needed to get back inside, but as I watched her on her mat, I couldn’t shake our last lesson — the way she’d looked at my piano, like she was about to fight it instead of play it. I’d never battled an injury like hers, but Ihadexperienced the same shift in relationship with the piano. It was the most unnerving thing, to have an instrument that was supposed to be your closest friend, your easiest confidant, shift into a monster before your very eyes.
The road to rekindling that relationship was long and dusty and rough, and I wished she didn’t have to travel it. But she did, and I needed her to understand what the journey would require of her.
“What are you doing tonight?” I asked when she started rolling up her mat.
Sarah stilled, her hands clamped over the rolled-up mat as she flicked her eyes to mine. “I…” She opened her mouth, shut it again, and then cleared her throat. “I mean, I work until ten.”
“And after?”
She shrugged. “I’m new to town and I live with my aunt and uncle,” she answered with a subdued smile. “I don’t exactly have big plans.”
I fought the urge to smile. “Good. I want to take you somewhere.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “You do?”
“It’ll be part of our lesson,” I explained, checking the time on my watch. I was already a few minutes over my break, and not that I was being watched that closely, but I knew the sooner I finished my set list, the sooner I could get out of there. “Meet me here when you’re done.”
“Wait,” she said, standing with the mat under her arm. “Where are we going?”
“I’d like to just take you there, if that’s okay. Trust me. It’ll make sense when we get there.”
“Okay,” she answered softly, but there was a hint of panic behind her wide eyes — one that made me instantly aware of how aggressive I’d been.
“Are you comfortable with that?” I asked her. “With going somewhere with me? It’s a public place, and I won’t keep you out too late. I promise.”
She breathed a little easier then, nodding. “Yeah. Sorry, I just…” But she didn’t finish her sentence. Her words faded, and she closed her eyes, smiling when they opened again. “Just know I’m bringing my pepper spray. And I’m not afraid to use it.”
I pushed off the wall on a laugh, swinging the door open as the chatter from the kitchen filled the space around us. “Deal. And just soyouknow, I’m bringing my pepper spray, too.”
Sarah chuckled.
“My time’s up. I’ll leave you to your good habit and take my bad one back inside with me.”
She flushed then, and like she still had hair on her head to brush away, one hand slid behind her ear as her eyes fell to her mat. “Sorry I ragged on you.”
I chuckled. “Honestly, I needed it. It’s been a while since someone has called me on my shit.” I knocked my knuckles once on the door, offering one last smile. “See you in a bit.”
“See you,” she squeaked.
My smile slipped the farther I walked into the kitchen, the temporary relief I’d found from the nicotine and my conversation with Sarah disappearing altogether once the door shut behind me. I handed Ronaldo his pack and lighter with dread settling back in my stomach.
Just a couple more hours,I told myself as I swung through the kitchen door and back into the restaurant.
My eyes involuntarily drifted to table thirty-two, and Charlie’s parents waved back at me excitedly as I forced another smile, remembering what I’d run outside to escape in the first place. Cameron was smiling at something Charlie had said, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek, sending my stomach churning. I wondered if he knew I was watching, if that was the reason he’d done it.