Her voice comes through sweet and slurred.“You think she’s special, don’t you?”
“Don’t do this, Trina.”
“She’s trash.You’ll see.The whole town will.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’ll find out.”
The line goes dead.
I should go after her.I know she’s planning something.But I’m tired.Tired of being the bad guy, tired of cleaning up messes I don’t start, tired of pretending this is just punishment and not penance.
So, I stay put.Wait out the last two days like they’ll change something.
They don’t.
Lil’ Nick hands me my keys back.“After this weekend, you’re free, brother.Don’t make me regret it.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say.
But that night, I can’t shake the cold crawling through my chest.I light a cigarette, stared out at the woods, and think about calling Carol.Think about telling her I’m coming by soon.
That’s when my phone buzzes.Unknown number.
You proud of her?
My gut goes cold.Trina.
Before I can text back, Frost comes running from the garage.
“What the fuck’s going on?”
“Sugar’s on the phone.Says there’s trouble in town.Something about paint.Your wife’s name came up.”
I drop the cigarette.“What kind of paint?”
“Red,” Frost said.“Real red.”He hands me the phone.I hear a conversation.Carol’s in trouble.
I don’t wait for permission.
I grab my jacket and keys.
Probation’s over.
If Trina went after Carol, I ain’t staying another second behind these gates.
Chapter 15
Carol
Evervale still looks like a snow-globe, same twinkle lights, same fake cheer, same me trying to act like I’m not coming apart after Humbug just said he couldn’t see me anymore.The days that follow Humbug’s disappearance from my life bleed together like snowmelt and dirty footprints.
At work, I smile for tourists, pour drinks that taste like sugar and nostalgia, and laugh at jokes I don’t hear.People say I look tired.They say I need rest.What I need is noise.What I need is Humbug’s voice telling me something rough and real.
Instead, I get Blake.
He’s been patient, too patient, and guilt has a way of turning patience into pity.One night, he comes over with takeout and a movie, the kind that tries too hard to be romantic.
