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I need to stop this now before I get too deep. I came here with a plan. We figure out what to do with this shit house, and then I wash my hands of Alliance. If I keep this up, I won’t be able to wash my hands fully. Oliver loves this town. Even with all the hurt, he found things to love. I’m not that optimistic. If Alliance burned to the ground, I wouldn’t blink. I can’t make him walk away, but I also can’t stay.
“I can hear you crying.” My body stiffens as the house creaks from down the hall.
“Oliver, what’s happening?” Mimi’s voice comes through, and I hope my dormant ability to project my thoughts into my sister head awakens.
He ignores her as another soft knock comes through, vibrating into my head. An image of Oliver with his forehead again the wooden door fills my thoughts.
“I think you need to head home.” Mimi’s stern voice surprises me. Mia has always been the most sympathetic sibling.
“I’m not leaving until she actually tells me to leave,” he barks at her.
I swallow my sob before taking my body away from the door. “Ollie…”
I hardly recognize my own voice. My sobs might as well be taking over because everything that comes out feels like it’s filled with tears.
“Please leave.”
I don’t hear a response, but the floor in front of my door creaks and then slowly fades away until nothing enters my ears. I’m not even sure when Mimi came back because her steps are like feathers against the hard old wood.
“Sally,” Mimi’s soft voice filled with sympathy floods through the door. “He left.”
A feeling washes over me, but I don’t think what I’m feeling is relief. I’m not glad he’s gone, but maybe I just knew it had to happen.
I open the door, and I’m met with Mimi’s arms around me. I let out every tear I fought back.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Oliver
For the first time in months, I have a day off. I don’t even know what to do with myself. My daily routine has always been whatever repair jobs I have, getting a morning surf or swim in, and then I find myself getting ready for my shift at the Water's Edge.
It wasn’t even my choice to have today off. My boss is making me because the last four days have been one disaster after the other. I got orders wrong, dropped plates, and spilled water on a customer. Even my morning repair jobs didn’t go well. I ended up doing more harm than good.
I didn’t lose my job, thankfully, but I don’t need a day off. I need the money for both bills and my ‘Running Away’ jar.
Feels childish to call it that, but it’s the name Simon came up with.
With a day off and no plans, I could have stayed in the shack, but the electricity has been acting up lately.
Some places have lost air conditioning altogether down here on the riverfront, but not the little thrift shop I find myself in right now.
The flow of cold air caresses my skin and chills the sweat beading my forehead. Having longish hair is nice as a surfer, but the mop of hair also conducts a lot of heat.
“Are you ready?” Piper’s voice sounds from behind a curtain.
She and Casey decided, since today was my first day off in a while, they wanted to drag me on one of their shopping trips. I told them I wouldn’t go lakefront, but if they had any places around me, then I’d be game.
Sure enough, they decided on the store we’re in right now—Daily Thrift. There’s a few franchises and boutiques around town, but this store is our favorite store to shop at. They accept donations and have the best deals around.
I’m not stupid, so I could tell this is a way for them to make sure I’m doing okay. The girls don’t know much about what happened last weekend, but they know this week has been really shitty for me, and wanted to check-in.
The only person who knows the reason is Jaxon, and that’s because Sally’s sister told him.
The thought of Sally causes a bitter taste to coat my mouth. I’m equally confused and frustrated about the whole thing, but she made it perfectly clear that she didn’t want me around. I haven’t even seen her since.
“Sure,” I say halfheartedly.
I wish I could say I was paying attention as Piper and Casey walk out wearing an assortment of random clothes. But now I’m just thinking of how cute Sally would be trying on these clothes.
