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“Really? If that’s true, then why are you pushing him away.”
“I guess we don’t have anything in common anymore.” Mom shakes her head, then with a small smile turning up the corner of her mouth, she says something I wasn’t expecting at all.
“I know there’s more between you two, or at least there was.”
I quickly look away from her, knowing she’ll see straight through me otherwise.
“I…I don’t know what you think, but your wrong,” I tell her, patting the sheets and pulling at them nervously.
“I’m not wrong. I see the way he looks at you, and you him. You can deny it all you like but I’m your mother and know these things. Perhaps even before you do. Now, are you going to tell me what the hell happened tonight?”
I internally sigh in relief that she’s not going to push for more about Asher and me, but then my relief is short lived as she asks about tonight—again.
I make up some bullshit about an animal in the road and losing control. I’m not sure she believed me, but as long as I can convince the cops then that’s all that matters.
The last thing I need is the police asking a bunch of questions, especially as it seems my return to Silverbell hasn’t gone unnoticed. The question is, how the hell do they know I’m here?
I make a note to contact Drake, my PI, tomorrow and get an update. I also want to ask him to look into Deputy Peters. The guy gives me some seriously bad vibes, and I want to know what his deal is, and how the hell he knew who I was?
Thankfully, Mom is prevented from too many questions when Everly and Jackson arrive. I give them a pointed shake of my head when she asks them what happened and quickly change the subject.
Satisfied that I’m not hurt more than a few bruises, Everly and Jackson leave.
Hugging me goodbye, Everly says, “You and me are talking about this after you’ve had some sleep. And you can tell me what’s going on with you and Asher too.” She raises her brows expectantly at me, and I give her a nod.
Stu comes in a few minutes after they leave, but he doesn’t look happy. When Mom asks him about it, he brushes it aside, instead turning to me. He asks me the same damn questions as my mom and Asher, and I give him the same story.
I’m finally discharged as the sun is coming up. The drive home is quiet, and as soon as I get inside the house, I head straight for my room. Not only do I need sleep, but I don’t want to be fussed over or quizzed anymore. According to Stu, Deputy Peters will be by later today to take my statement. That’s something to look forward to.
I take a quick shower and just about manage to wash my hair without wetting the dressing on my temple. I’m exhausted and as soon as my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep, but it’s not a peaceful one.
* * *
Dressing takesa herculean effort as my ribs scream at me every time I move. At least my head has stopped pounding this afternoon.
I had wanted to call Drake, but I now realize my phone is still in my car, which has been towed. A car that’s a right-off and leaves me with a big problem; how the hell am I supposed to get to work?
That’s a problem for later because right now I need to get out of this house before Deputy Peters turns up. And I need my phone.
Sneaking downstairs and out of the house reminds me of my teen years when Everly and I would sneak out to meet boys, most of them not worth the risk of getting caught. I can hear Mom and Stu talking in the lounge as I tiptoe past and slip out the back door.
I decide against the beach road, although the view is great, it’s quicker this way, and I can avoid the town. I arrive at the auto repair shop and am shocked to see the state of my car in the light of day. I mean car is a loose term to use to basically describe what is nothing more than a heap of metal with seats on four wheels, and two of those are twisted the wrong way and would have you spinning in circles.
“Hey, Julian,” I say loudly to be heard over the radio playing in the background.
I startle the guy beneath the hood, and he almost smacks his head as he looks up, his dark brown eyes lighten with recognition.
“Kennedy Scott. Look at you,” he says, wiping his hands on a rag. “Nice to see you. Even better considering the state of your car.” He raises a brow as he steps round the car he was working on, pointing to what’s left of mine.
“Yeah, damn wild animals,” I say, planting the seed and reinforcing my story. “Obviously, it’s going to the scrap heap, but I wondered if my phone and purse are still inside?”
“Sorry, Kennedy, any belongings were removed at the scene by the cops. I guess you’ll need to get them at the station. Deputy Peters, I believe.”
Of course, it was. Great.
“You’re gonna need a new ride, right?”
“Yeah, eventually,” I say, looking round the lot.
