AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Carmen's response was solemn, her words laced with understanding. "Ben, lying is rarely the answer, but you're there on the ground, spending time with Paisley. Ultimately, it's your judgment call. Just remember that trust and honesty are important parts of the work you’re doing, and the foundation you’re building. Right now, you are Paisley’s person. You’re who she will turn to when everything else feels like it’s crumbling around her or she’s unsafe. It’s an all-encompassing role, but in these situations where isolation is the only lifesaving option, you become what tethers her to sanity.”
“That’s a hell of a lot.”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t explain it to you in more detail before all of this. We’d been aware of Paisley’s situation for some time. When I got the call about the incident with Doug I knew it was a tipping point. I didn’t have anyone available that quickly and there was no chance I could do this with someone outside the family. Too much of the shit Paisley was dealing with was widespread and might have been directly coming from people in her life. We just didn’t know. I needed someone who was solid, who I didn’t have to think twice about trusting. But I’m sorry I didn’t explain further about the depth of the role.”
“I completely understand now that I’m seeing what she was dealing with. I’m glad you called me and I could be here. I just don’t know that I’m the right guy for this. I don’t know how to tell her. I don’t know what to do for her once she knows. Do you understand how close she and Doug were? They were like family.”
“I know. I don’t have any advice on what to do there. There’s no protocol. No handbook. Just do what you think is right and keep her safe.”
As Ben hung up the phone, his mind whirled with conflicting emotions. He couldn't fathom the pain that awaited Paisley when she heard about Doug's death. There was no way to soften that blow. He could tell her he never reached Carmen, that he had no update. He could buy a few more days of peace for Paisley. She could focus on the play. Try to stay upbeat. Was that an option? How would she feel when she found out he’d lied to her?
Struggling with the burden of this knowledge, he drew deeper into the woods, trying to put physical distance between himself and Paisley. Try and get away from the decision he’d need to make when he saw her.
Among the towering trees, he found a secluded spot and sank onto a fallen log, his head buried in his hands. This was when he needed his siblings. Junie would know what do. Kenan would know what to say. The whole O’Malley family would have his back. They’d have an opinion and advice. Probably all at once and loudly if they were together.
He laughed at the thought of them barking out their feelings, all rooted in love. A bird fluttered by and landed not far from where he was sitting. Going completely still, he watched the bird as if it might give him some advice. The chirps might be a code he could decipher.
“Hey,” Paisley called, the bird startled and flew off quickly. “I’ve been looking for you. Did you call Carmen? Any update?”
CHAPTER9
PAISLEY
In a secluded spot among the trees, she found Ben, his head buried in his hands. His shoulders sagged, burdened with something worrying. She watched the bird land by him and his fascination grow. Her steps faltered, concern flooding her voice as she approached him. "Ben, what's wrong?”
He looked up, weariness etched into the lines of his face, and she could see the turmoil in his eyes. He seemed lost, as if caught in the crosscurrents of a decision he couldn't bear to make. Her heart sank, sensing that something was terribly wrong.
"I... I was trying to gather my thoughts," he stammered, his voice heavy with emotion. "I called Carmen.”
Paisley's brow furrowed, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't ignore the way her body was breaking down. Heart racing. Breathing coming too fast. Palms slick with sweat. "And? What did Carmen say?"
His gaze dropped to the ground, his voice barely a whisper. "Doug... he didn't make it, Paisley. I'm so sorry."
The world around her blurred, the words hitting her like a tide coming in and then pulling away just as quickly. The horrid news played on a loop in her ringing ears. Doug was gone. Forever. He was the innocent victim caught in this web of darkness, stolen from her. From everyone who loved him. Pain tore through her heart, and all the air seemed to be sucked from her lungs. She took a staggering step back, her mind struggling to process the enormity of the loss.
"Why?" she choked out, her voice thick with grief. “Doug was the most genuine person in the world. He stood by me through everything. It should have been me. That poison was meant for me."
Anguish morphed into anger, and she lashed out at Ben, pounding her fists against his chest as he stood and closed in on her. Her tears mingled with her rage as she unleashed her sorrow, the weight of the world pressing down upon her. "You shouldn't have made me leave, Ben! He died without me. He must have thought I didn’t care. I wasn’t ready to get on that plane and hide out here. I needed more time. You robbed me of that time with Doug.”
Ben's arms enveloped her, pulling her close as she continued to strike at him. His voice was a steady anchor even though she fought against it. "Paisley, I know you're hurting. It’s terrible. But it's not your fault. It's not Carmen’s fault. Or Doug’s. The blame lies with the people who did this, the ones responsible for those heinous attacks on you. We will find them, Paisley. We will bring them to justice."
Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed against him, the strength of his embrace offering something to hold on to when she wanted to let go completely. Sobs wracked her body as she clung to him, the weight of the loss threatening to consume her.
Not Doug. She couldn’t imagine life without him. Even these last few days of not being able to call him were torture. She had a million things to tell him. They’d have laughed about the snake. Done a deep dive into Ben and what she thought of him. Doug would have spotted, even over the phone, that she was starting to feel some sort of way about Ben. He’d have poked fun and then encouraged her to do something about it. There was no life for her without Doug. She couldn’t begin to picture it.
Between her sobs, she managed to utter broken words. "I want to leave, Ben. I need to go back home. I need to have a funeral for Doug, to apologize to his parents. I should be helping with the investigation. Talking more to the police. I won't hide while this is happening."
Ben's grip tightened. "Paisley, right now, it's not safe to leave. We don't know who is behind all of this. Carmen is communicating with the police. They’re doing everything they can. I know she’ll have resources available for Doug’s family as well. The best thing you can do is stay here.”
“The best thing for who?” She leaned back and scowled angrily at him.
“For yourself,” Ben said as if it that was the most obvious and important thing in the world.
Paisley pulled away slightly, her tear-streaked face gazing up at him. "I can't stay here, Ben. I can't hide while all of this is happening. Doug died because of me. I need to face that. I need to make things right."
His voice softened. "It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s downright deadly,” she corrected, as she wiped away her tears, her voice resolute. "I appreciate your concern, Ben, but I can't stay here. I need to do what I think is right, and hiding is not happening right now. They want to be rid of me. They want to scare me.”
