“We’ll wear him down eventually.” Her features soften. “Did Silas show you Goldie’s spot?”
I swallow down the emotion clogging my throat and nod. “Read through her letters to my grandpa.”
“She was always writing to him,” Hattie says wistfully. “Mom said she’s been writing to him even before Sandy was born. So sad. He never came back but she always waited for him.”
“It’s what drove my mom away in the end,” I admit. “Mom resented that Grandma couldn’t put his death to rest. She thought she was delusional for holding out hope.”
Hattie frowns. “I always wanted a deep love like that. Don’t get me wrong. Flint gave me Huck, even if he is a pain in theyou know what.” She smiles at a little girl who pops up next to where we’re seated to pull a children’s book off the shelf.
“Did my grandma ban curse words here?” I whisper, giggling. “It’s like she was the mayor or something.”
Hattie reaches over and gently touches my hand. “Goldie was the heart of Budgie Bay, and it’s felt a little lifeless since she’s been gone.” A smile touches her lips. “Until now. The heartbeat is back.”
The heartbeat is me?
Chapter 18
Elias
Today, I missed her.
I’m still trying to process what that means or why that is. She was only gone for a few hours, but I noticed the absence. It felt hollow. Even Clo was agitated. He nipped at me three different times.
But now she’s back and we’re headed up to The Icehouse. Monday nights are for Bunko. It’s more about showing off who has the coolest dice than actually playing the game. Tonight, Hattie has the most coveted set. Hers have been hand-painted to look like mini chocolate chips where each dot normally goes.
Mine are beat metal with stamped dots. They make the most unique sound on the mahogany tabletops.
Nora squeals and throws her arms in the air. Then, she high-fives Hattie. They’re one table over from us and sharing a basket of powdered sugar dusted deep-fried Oreos that Silas whipped up.
“I see she’s growing on you,” Monroe says as he tosses his dice.
Since he didn’t get triples, or any of the number four, he points two fingers at me to go next. I toss mine out and roll a four, a one, and a six. I keep going until I don’t roll anymore fours.
“We’re getting along,” I tell him, not meeting his truth-demanding cop eyes.
“Hattie says she’s great.”
It’s not lost on me that they somehow became fast friends. Must’ve happened while she borrowed my truck. I’m a little jealous I was stuck at home measuring crap with Dad when I could have been eating pastries and sharing town gossip like those two obviously did.
“She’s not as bad as I originally thought,” I admit. But that’s still not the full truth. Monroe knows it, too.
“Why is it so hard to admit you like her?” he asks, not throwing his dice. “Everyone knows it but you.”
This irritates me. “You going to roll or what?”
“Not until you tell me the truth.”
My gaze slips over to her and I’m transfixed. She’s grinning from ear to ear as Hattie shows her pictures on her phone.
“See,” Monroe says simply. “That dopey look on your face is pretty telling.”
I groan and meet my best friend’s stern eyes. “It’s stupid. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Besides, she has a boyfriend, so it’s a moot point.”
Silas, the nosy drink slinger, hops onto a barstool beside me. “They broke up.”
I snap my head his way. “What?”
“Nora and Denver.”
