Matty drummed her fingers on her leg as she watched the scenery go by. “Mostly anything sapphic: mystery, thrillers, romance.”
Reese laughed. “Romance? You don’t look like the type to read romance.”
“Hey now, there is nothing wrong with romance. The pining, the yearning, the moment someone finally makes a move. It’s romantic.”
“I guess. I’m not sure I’ve ever read one. I just assumed they were clichés and were an excuse to read porn.”
“Oh, yeah, there are spicy parts. Nothing like a good bang in a book, but they’re so much more than that. Unless you’re reading erotica. Turn up here on the left.”
Reese did as she was told. “I guess I haven’t given romance books enough thought.”
Matty nodded. "You should look into them. Maybe audiobooks? Those are fun. Turn here. It’s this one.”
The gravel driveway crunched under the tires of the vehicle. Mabel’s car came into sight.
Once the car was in park, she grabbed the strap of her backpack and got out. She turned to Reese. “Thanks for the ride. Have a good night, Reese.”
“You too, Matty.”
Shutting the door, she nodded curtly at Reese, who was watching her, then turned to go inside.
Chapter seven
Chapter Seven
Reese knocked gently on Kerrie’s door, popping her head in. “I’m heading up to Tindle Street to do Leadership.”
She looked up from behind her monitor. “Great. Have you done Leadership yet?”
“No, not here. I did sit in on one when I was training. We had something similar where I came from. I am a little nervous, though.”
Kerrie’s lips turned up in a warm smile. “You’ll do great. It’s also a smaller group like ours, so hopefully that will help.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m glad my first go of it isn’t at Main. Anyway, I’ll be back after that. Text me if you need me.”
“Can do.”
Tindle Street was just two streets over from the main campus. It was its own little campus with a few buildings.
The largest building, Swallow, had once been a funeral home. It was two stories with a full kitchen and two bathrooms. Bedrooms held three to four clients at a time. A charming white picket fence went all around the building, more so to keep clients from wandering off and to keep people from driving by to drop contraband off.
When she pulled into the small parking lot, she noticed a maintenance truck drive past. She wondered if it was Matty but quickly pushed the thought out of her head. The handywoman had been drifting in and out of her mind ever since their shared ride. Afterwards, she felt even more embarrassed at her behavior the first time they spoke.
She stepped outside the car. The porch and small lawn had several clients hanging about, most of them smoking. She didn’t think twice about their stares. It was normal.
A silver car pulled in beside hers, prompting her to smile widely as Clinton, one of the counselors, popped out. “Hey girl, what are you doing up here?”
“I’ve got Leadership. Do I go to Swallow for that?”
He nodded as he shut his door with his hip, as his hands were full with a fast-food bag and a drink. “Yeah, go inside Swallow. All our guys are grouped together for it. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Will do.” She still found it funny that all the houses were named after birds.
Instead of going through the gate, then through the front door, she decided to go straight down the path to the back door that she knew led into the laundry room. It was easier to get inside without having to wade through the crowd of men at the front. The large home was old, with wood flooring and wood-paneled walls.The laundry room led into the kitchen, with high ceilings, an island in the center, and a large window over the sink. And under that sink was a jean-clad ass with just a hint of a black band of boxer briefs. She knew that ass. Had caught herself looking at it more than once whenever she got a glimpse of the handywoman.
“Matty?”
The person pulled their upper half from inside the cabinet, a flashlight in hand. Her eyes swept over Reese before a small smile tugged at her lips. “Hey, Reese, what brings you to Swallow?”
