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Chapter 20
Isighedas Knix pulled up to Erika's house. I understood them not wanting me along and I was okay with that, but somehow it also felt defeating to be dropped off while they all went on a man hunt for Grayson'sbrother.
Texas shifted around in the front passenger seat. "Sorry that we couldn't take you home,Princess."
"It's okay," I said, holding onto the bag I had grabbed before we all left the resort. The guys had been right. Grayson's brother had managed to get away from Bell and off the docks before we could even track him down. "I haven't talked to Erika in a while. She was excited that I asked to comeover."
"We just don't want you going home right now. We doubt he'll connect you with us, but Grayson confirmed that his brother did see you with Marv and the older Caruso definitely got a look at Marv," Knixexplained.
He didn't need to. I had already heard it from both him, Texas, and Marv. Bellamy hadn't had a chance to stay behind and talk to me much at all, but I was sure if he had, I would have heard the same from him. I smiled their way as I reached for the doorhandle.
"Hold on, let me get that for you," Texas said, popping his own dooropen.
"No, it's fine. I can–” His door slammed shut and I sighed as he reached the handle of mine and opened it from curb. "Thanks," I said, stepping onto the sidewalk in front of Erika's old, two-bedroom, brickhouse.
"Just text me if you need anything," he said, shutting my door afterme.
"I'm sure I'll befine."
He stuck his hands in the pockets of his pants and leaned back on his heels, appraising me. "I know this is kind of a shitty situation," he began. "We brought you in to catch a thief, but things have gotten a little out ofhand."
I frowned. No, I realized, they hadn't brought me in to catch a thief. They had brought me in to act as a prop for Marv. A couple's resort would look odd if Marv had been alone. Grayson's brother had probably only brought his aunt because she was the type of woman who wasn't all there and didn't care what he did. She was the perfect prop for him. At least she hadn't been in the way, but I was...and that's why they were dropping me off withErika.
Knix leaned over and spoke out of Texas' open window. "We'll call you when we're on our way back to pick youup."
I managed to nod my head as Texas popped his door and hopped back into the SUV. Knix shifted gears and eased away from the curb. I stepped back, holding my bag over my shoulder. I watched the SUV disappear down the street before turning and heading up Erika'swalkway.
"Hey!" Erika answered the door a few seconds after my knock and welcomed me into the living room. I grimaced at the outdated floral wallpaper. It had been too long since I had seen Erika, but not long enough since the last time I saw the livingroom.
"Want to go to my room?" she asked as she fiddled with her phone. "My folks aren't home. Mom's gonna be on the West Coast for a few more nights. Dad has a late shift. If you want, you can stay over. We haven't talked in forever." She slid her phone into her pocket and looked back at me,expectantly.
"I'm not sure if I can stay over," Ireplied.
"Right." Her mouth tightened as she grimaced at me. "Sorry, I forgot...your mom. How's shedoing?"
I didn't correct her. "She's fine," I assured her, "tough. She'll get throughthis."
"Do you want to sit then? We can hang out in here if you don't want to go to my room." Erika gestured to the couch that I had dropped my bag next to. "I'll grab some sweet tea andsnacks."
"It doesn't matter where–" Ibegan
Erika hurried out of the room, calling back over her shoulder. "No worries. Go ahead and sit. We can talk or watch TV, see if there's anythingon."
I sighed and sank into the already sagging couch that had seen better days. I grabbed the remote and flipped the flat screen TV on before promptly flipping it back off as Erika walked back in with a tray. She set the tray down on the side table and handed me a glass before she took a cookie forherself.
"Okay, let's catch up," she said as she sat in the arm chair on the other side of the side table. "Did I tell you about myboyfriend?"
"I know you have one," I said absently. "But you haven't told memuch."
"Oh, Harlow. He's amazing. He's honestly the best thing that's ever happened to me." She nibbled around the edges of her cookie before reaching for her own glass of sweet tea. "I was actually thinking about staying in the area because of him. He’s talking about getting our own place when I’mready."
I frowned, setting my glass to the side as I really listened. "Don't you think that's too soon?" I asked. "Moving in together? Did you justmeet?"
"When you know, youknow, Harlow." She sighed, taking a short sip. "It's like this. We understand each other, and it's not like this is the dark ages. We don't have to get married before we move intogether."
"I wasn't thinking of marriage..." Isaid.
"There's nothing wrong with living with a guy." Erika laughed. "I mean, we're eighteen. It's time to move on. We're not kidsanymore."
