“I’ll tell you everything.”
He uncapped his pen. “Good. Now, does he have any identifying marks?”
15
PIPER
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Kerry Winsor:Anyone know why@SherriffMike Finchis in front of The Reserved Bean? Did something happen?
Comments:
SherriffMike Finch:Can I not have a quiet moment to enjoy a coffee, woman?
Kerry Winsor:You’re usually at the station! It’s a fair question.
Hu Gh:Listen, those pops you heard were NOT me.
SherriffMike Finch:Hugh, I literally saw you and stopped you from shooting that squirrel.
Hu Gh:You didn’t!
SherriffMike Finch:I can’t stand you people ...
Memories spunin front of my eyes as I locked the door and slid down to the floor. I needed to check to be sure no one was outside, but my breaths were coming fast, and all I could do wasremember what Scarlett told me: put my head between my knees and try not to pass out.
I never thought I would see Arlo again. He’d only come when Dad was at his worst and needed his next fix. Arlo would look at me in a way that made me so uncomfortable that I would run to my room, lock the door, and put a chair there for extra security.
A few times, he tried to get in.
And judging by the way he looked at me again, I had a feeling he still wanted me in a way that made me sick to think about.
My chest tightened and I knew I couldn’t sit still. I stood, pushing my couch across the room and against the door just to be safe. Then I shut my curtains before falling onto the couch.
I pressed my fingers into my scalp and knew I couldn’t deal with it alone. My first message was to Scarlett. I hated that I needed yet another emergency session in such a short time frame, but I did.
My message sat unopened and I stared at the screen for a long time, chest tighter with every passing moment. I knew she had other patients she needed to see.
But my skin was crawling. I had no idea if Arlo was still around. I had no idea who Theo evenwas.
Which meant I was unsafe.
The next move was calling my best friend.
“Hey, Piper,” Joey answered. “Been a bit since I heard from you.”
“Y-yeah. Things were good. Now they’re not.”
His whole tone changed immediately. “What happened? Where are you?”
“I’m home. I’m safe. I think. Someone from my past is here. Which means I can’t be in Strawberry Springs.”
“Oh, Piper.” His voice shook in the same way it did when he saw my first panic attack.
“I need you.”
“I’m out planning for the wedding, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
