Page 179 of Reeves

I crouch down, forcing my voice steady. “Hey, buddy. I just got a message from Paolo’s mom. He wants to know if you want to spend the night.”

Benjy’s whole face lights up. “Really? Yes! Can I? Please? I want to tell him about the museum.”

I smile, brushing his hair back again. “Yeah. I think that sounds like a good idea.”

He takes off again, already planning it out loud.

I stand, turning back to Reeves.

“We’re going back.”

“Charli, don’t do this,” he says, stepping closer. “Don’t leave like this.”

I shake my head, already stepping back.

“It’s better this way. We never should have tried to do this again. There's just too much water under the bridge. I built this life, Reeves. Me. And I'm not going to have you or anyone coming in and making decisions for me.”

FORTY-ONE

Reeves

The Empty Street:After the procession passes, the neighborhood goes quiet in a way it wasn't before. What was there is now absence.

The gate closesbehind them as she pulls out.

I watch her until her car disappears, listening to the quiet settle back in. It's too quiet, even with the noises of the city everywhere.

I walk back into the bunker and stand there. What the fuck do I do with quiet like this?

Her coffee mug from this morning is still on the counter. The cleaner isn't coming until Thursday afternoon because I thought they were staying until then.

I walk over and pick it up. There’s a faint smear of lipstick along the rim. I turn it once in my hand, run my thumb over it, then set it in the sink and run water over it. I watch the color disappear.

By the timeI get to my dad’s place, the sun’s already starting to drop.

I toss my keys on the counter and walk through the house without turning on any lights, moving out to the back patio. The air is thick and still.

I sit, lean forward, rest my forearms on my thighs, and stare out at nothing.

It's been over two hours since they left. That's enough for her to get back and get Benjy settled.

Enough for this to sit.

My phone is on the table beside me. I pick it up, turning it over once before unlocking it.

Her name is still at the top.

I hit call.

It rings twice before it cuts to voicemail. I end the call.

I lower it and stare at the screen for a second before typing.

Please let me explain why I did it and what I found. I'm sorry I did it without you.

The message sends. Three dots appear almost immediately.

I don’t move while I wait. Her reply comes through a second later.