Page 20 of The Haunting Plot

“It’s clear she doesn’t want me around, and she’s got a lot going on. I want to help her, but I don’t know if she wants that.”

“I love my sister, but she’s stubborn as fuck.”

“You’re telling me. But I dunno if I’m comfortable forcing my way into her life. She seems pretty guarded about people in her space.”

He walks over to my truck, lowering the tailgate as he pulls out my toolbox. “Well, she’s not here now, so she can’t stop us.”

“Are you sure?”

“She could use someone like you in her life.”

“I told you, I’m terrible with women.”

RJ cocks an eyebrow. “I think you were just terrible with Jocelyn. I’ve dealt with her a little, planning playdates for Summer’s daughter, and she’s not the easiest person to get along with. Why do you think they always want to hang at our house?”

I want to believe him, but the anxiety in my head is shouting louder, telling me that I’ll never be good enough for a woman as amazing as Raven.

Shoving the toolbox against my chest, he gives me a pleading look. “It’s for the kids.”

“Fuck, man. You know I have a soft spot for the pencil wizard.”

RJ tilts his head in confusion.

“Tommy is always forgetting a pencil for class, and apparently Jonah sits behind him and gives him one every day. I had no clue they were friends.”

“This town is small enough, and there’s only one school. It was bound to happen.”

He brushes past me as he walks into the house, and I trail behind him. It’s oddly quiet. “Jonah. McKenna,” RJ calls for them.

McKenna bounds down the stairs, her eyes lighting up when she sees RJ. “Did you bring Lana?”

“Sorry, she’s at home with the boys. I think they were headed to Lucy’s for a playdate.”

She glances at me. “Jane?”

I shake my head. “She’s at her mom’s. But your mom said you’re the one who called 911? You were really brave.”

McKenna shrugs like it’s no big deal. I’m curious how many times she’s lived through a situation like this with her brother that this doesn’t faze her. “Where’s Mom?”

RJ takes a step toward her. “She’s getting her nose checked out. So we’re gonna be hanging out with you for a bit.”

Jonah’s footsteps clunk down the stairs as he emerges, head buried in his tablet, wearing sunglasses and earphones. He looks between us before removing his headphones. “Are you here to fix the sun?”

“Yeah, little man.” I set down the toolbox. “Where do you need it darker?”

“Will it be loud?” Jonah asks.

“It shouldn’t be. I can probably attach the curtains with my screwdriver, so I don’t have to use the drill.”

I bend down and grab a couple of tools from the toolbox, then glance at RJ. “Do you know if she has curtains already?”

“She does,” McKenna says, walking off. “Follow me.”

RJ takes off after her as I turn to Jonah. “So where are we doing this?”

His head is tilted down, and I can’t see his eyes behind his sunglasses. “My room.” His voice is flat.

“Lead the way, pencil wizard.”