“I didn’t go chasing closure, Nina. I went because it actually sounded like fun. I was trying to force myself back out into the world.”
Her head snaps forward, eyes narrowed on something between the houses across the street. There’s nothing there except more trees, swaying in the breeze.
“Still... we should’ve done something else. Something less... triggering.”
A bitter laugh escapes me. “You’re probably right, but I can’t promise I won’t seek Corinne out again.”
The more I think about what happened, the more I need to get to the bottom of Kooky Corinne’s antics.
Nina sighs. “I know, love. I know.”
My shoulders deflate and my head falls forward. “Maybe he didn’t show tonight because this is meant to be my penance.”
Nina’s and Lanie’s heads turn to me.
“For what?” Lanie asks. “You didn’t cause that accident. Neither one of you did.”
My eyes focus on my black leggings, not wanting to see the looks on their faces as I admit one of my greatest fears out loud. “We don’t know that. I don’t remember everything that happened.”
“Sounds to me like—” Lanie’s words are drowned out by a sudden gust of wind that has us all shielding our faces from flying leaves and dirt.
“Ugh,” I call out, a second away from jumping up and rushing inside to get out of this mini whirlwind that sprang up on us. But as quick as it started, it’s over, and the eerie silence that follows is a tad disquieting.
“You can stop punishing yourself. Garrett wouldn’t want this for you,” Nina says, placing a hand on my shoulder and breaking up my momentary alarm.
“You weren’t behind the wheel. Some asshole probably caused that accident,” Lanie bites.
“She might be right. Maybe that was Garrett’s way of communicating,” Nina suggests.
My head lifts and I meet Nina’s gaze. “You believe it was another vehicle?”
It’s a total one-eighty from moments ago, and I can’t help feeling like they’re just placating me because it’s easier to allow me to believe what I saw than to continue watching me beat myself up over the accident.
“Why not? Stranger things have happened. You felt something, right?” Lanie prompts.
Nina nods vigorously. “Lanie’s words of wisdom.”
Lanie harrumphs. “I’m very smart.”
I feel myself start to slump. Between the alcohol and the conversation, every bit of energy I possess is drained. I don’t have it in me to talk about the accident or Corinne anymore tonight.
“I hate to be the party pooper, but I’m exhausted,” I say, yawning into my fist. “My bed is calling me.”
“Me too,” Nina says, standing. “I have an early morning tomorrow.”
“I’m a little bummed we didn’t get a single glimpse of Hot Cop,” Lanie says, stretching out her legs.
“Hot Cop? You mean Detective Douche?” I quip. “He’s the most infuriating man I’ve ever met.”
“What? Why?” Lanie practically whines.
My head turns toward my neighbor’s house, dark and quiet. He’s likely asleep, or maybe still on the job. In truth, I know very little about him.
“The man has hardly said two words to me the entire time he’s lived next door. But now he insists on taking down my trash every Monday morning and bringing the cans back in at night,” I prattle on, growing more agitated by the minute. “Now he’s grabbing my mail and leaving it inside of my screen door.”
“I’m failing to see the problem here.” Lanie deadpans.
Nina’s lips purse, showcasing a set of slight dimples on each cheek. “Am I to believe that you’re holding a grudge because he’s a gentleman?”
