Page 51 of Peaches & Pistols

“It’s up to you. Save it. Delete it. Text it to yourself. I’ll support you any way I can.”

I save the recording and text it to myself. I don’t know if I’ll ever use it, or need to use it, but I’m grateful for it. For Greyson.

17

There’s been an atmospheric shift in the house since the night Mia gave me one-million-and-one reasons to throw Carter fucking Whitaker into shark-infested waters.

She’s lighter, somehow. Hell, I’m lighter, seeing her comfortable in our home, not coiled tight, ready to flee. Our home.

I’m also unburdened knowing I have that piece of shit dead to rights.

My “other” job of collecting and disseminating information as currency came in handy. He made my job insultingly easy. He’s fucking trash at covering his tracks. Arrogance will be his downfall, and I’ll happily bury him beneath the rubble.

The bell to the shop door dings.

“Hey, big bro!” Olivia chirps, hoisting herself up to sit on the front counter.

I’d say good thing the store is empty, but it wouldn’t matter if there was a line of customers. Hurricane Olivia does whatever the hell she wants.

She doesn’t wait for me to respond, because she’ll talk my ear off whether or not I’m paying a lick of attention.

"Have you seen James lately? Hoo-eee that man is looking fine," she taunts, knowing full well I’ll go postal if he ever lays a finger on her.

“Liv…” I growl.

“Keep your panties on.” She rolls her eyes with a smile, satisfied from spiking my blood pressure for the day.

“What do you want?”

“So friendly, Grey! You should go to kindergarten with Everly and learn how to make friends.” Her smile is maniacal, so pleased with herself.

I glower back, waiting for her to get to the point. I’m not busy, but I hate small talk and whatever this nonsense is.

“Sheesh, can’t a girl check on her brother?” I raise an eyebrow. “Fine. I miss Harper, I know Mia’s an incredible nanny, but I miss having the little munchkin. Do you think I could take her one day this weekend?”

“Of course. But I’m telling you right now, you’re going to have to pry her out of Everly’s tiny hands. They’re inseparable.”

“I’m happy to take both of them, that would be so fun. Do you think Mia would mind?”

I scratch at my unshaven face. I’ve never preferred a beard, but my facial hair starts growing back the second I pat my face dry from shaving. So, I live with perpetual stubble.

“You’ll have to ask her. I don’t think she’s let Everly out of her sight, other than for school, and for good reason.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Is she okay? Did something happen?” Olivia pelts me with rapid-fire questions.

“If she wants to share with you one day, she will. Otherwise, don’t go digging around. I swear to god, Liv. Leave her alone.” My definitive tone catches her off guard.

“Protective, are we?” she teases.

“Jesus. Can we be done? Don’t you have other villagers to terrorize?”

“You’re no fun.” Liv hops down from the counter, straightening her jeans. “I’ll just go find James. He’ll pay attention to me.”

That little she-devil. “You’d better not.”

“Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t.” She flashes me a feline smile. “I’ll text Mia and see if she’s okay with me taking the girls this weekend.”

She blows out of the store as quickly as she came, and I’m exhausted. I flip the store sign to “Be Back Soon” and lock up.