Page 25 of Lethal Weakness

“Avery, go in your playroom and put Barney on!” I shoo her.

“Yay!”

I sprint back to the kitchen and panic-clean dinner up. I knew what inviting Jack over might do. I suspected that he isn’t a docile man.

What if he hurts him?

Oh God. Why doesn’t that scare me?

By the time he knocks lightly, warning that he’s coming back inside, the table is clear, and all the dishes are scraped off and soaking in the sink, and I have leftovers sitting on the counter.

“Thank you for staying, and I’m sorry for using you like that,” I admit shamefully, not daring to look him in the eye.

“He won’t be back.”

“Really? Why?” I feign confusion, but I’m no actress. I let my eyes lift slowly, hoping he isn’t looking at me closely.

He is.

He pulls a tri-folded paper out of his back pocket. “Your new lease.”

“You’re kidding?” I grab the paper, unfolding it manically so that I can read it. “How did you get this?”

“He had copies in his car. I encouraged him to sign it.”

Yeah, pinned to the hood of his car…

“That’s it?” I squeak.

He shrugs. “Don’t let him inside anymore. It’s all in there. He has to give you notice before he shows up, and this won’t jeopardize your job across the street. I made sure of it.”

My fingers cover my mouth as I nod. This single sheet of paper is such a relief. Right next to the envelope with my Social Security card that’s sitting on the counter.

Chapter Nine

O’Connor

“Thank you, Jack. This…” She shakes the paper in her hand lightly. “This means a lot to me.”

I don’t have a chance to respond before she’s stepping into my space and wrapping her arms around my waist.

My entire body goes stiff. A hug… It’s just a hug.

I don’t know the last time that I’ve received a hug. Or given one.

My arms feel like lead as I lift them to her shoulders. I don’t even squeeze; I just wrap them loosely around her. She’s so fragile, I’m afraid she’ll break.

“Me too, me too!” Avery squeals from the hallway, sprinting towards me.

Linden moves away just in time for her daughter to launch at me, squealing as I catch her midair.

“Sorry, we’re huggers.” She laughs softly, gently removing her daughter from my arms.

Linden’s hug did something to me, but Avery’s cracked something inside of me.

I feel off.

I feel…