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"Brad, Courtney," Giuseppe continued, turning his gaze to me, "You two have returned with an issue that directly threatens our family here. You're right to think that this Clint...this man may have a connection with the killings. It's time we stop hiding and confront this threat."
A solemn silence fell over the room at Giuseppe's words. Everyone seemed to digest his declaration, some nodding in agreement, others staring thoughtfully at the carpet.
"Brad," he turned to face me, "Do you and Courtney have an idea on how to proceed from here?"
I cleared my throat, a nod from Courtney signaled her support before I began to speak. “We have thought about it thoroughly," I admitted, "and we think the best thing to do is for Courtney to reply to Tyree's attempts to reach her."
The room erupted in a chorus of shocked gasps and protests, but I held up a hand for silence.
"Listen to me," I pleaded, my voice steady despite the mounting tension. "Courtney and I think it's likely that Tyree will want to meet with her, possibly to offer her a job. We're not saying she should take it, but we believe the Rosedale crew can use this to our advantage."
"I agreed to this, just for the record," Courtney chimed in, her voice strong and assertive. "I can call Tyree, even meet with him. I want to see why he's so hell-bent on hiring me, not someone else. It might give us some insight into his motives, into what he's planning."
Finally, Giuseppe nodded a reluctant agreement. "If you're sure, Courtney," he said, "we will support you in this. We'll make sure you're safe."
"You're damned right we will!" I added.
"I'll be alright, Giuseppe," Courtney replied, her voice filled with steely resolve. "I know what I'm getting into, and I believe it's the right move. Brad and I, we've got this."
Suddenly, from the back of the room, one clap broke the silence. Then two, and before long, everyone in the room was on their feet, clapping and showing their support for our bold decision. The deafening sound of applause filled the room, with not a hint of hesitation among them. It was a powerful moment of solidarity and determination.
When the applause finally subsided, it was Chase who broke the silence. He stood, his face lined with a mix of concern and pride. "I've always admired your courage, Courtney. We've missed you at Rosedale," he confessed, his voice carrying a note of warmth that was rare to hear from him. "But coming back to this, putting yourself on the line... it's beyond admirable. It's something few would dare to do. You've got our full support." He concluded, his glance darting around the room, effectively challenging anyone to disagree.
Everyone nodded, the energy in the room shifting from tense and grave to a more light-hearted atmosphere as they began to disperse, and conversations sparked back to life.
"Alright, enough of this seriousness," Guy said, his voice carrying an odd mix of gravity and humor. "Let's take this conversation to the porch. I believe the food is ready."
I stayed back a moment, watching everyone move toward the porch. Then, turning to Courtney, I nodded in the direction of the exiting group. "Come on," I encouraged, a small smile pulling at my lips. "Let's eat, talk, and figure out our next steps."
"I'm coming, I'm famished." Courtney giggled as I pulled her in for a hug.
"I'm so proud of you!"
ChapterEleven
Courtney
The night was comingalive at Casa Palacious, where we found ourselves gathered on the veranda. An assortment of Mexican dishes lay before us, the alluring aroma of grilling carne asada and fresh cilantro enveloping us. The space was captivating, festooned with twinkling lights that lent a magical touch to our casual dinner setting.
"Could you pass the salsa?" I asked Ariel, who sat opposite me.
She flashed a gentle smile, handing me the bowl. "Sure thing, but you still owe me an answer about school," she teased, her inquisitive eyes showing genuine concern.
Her words hit hard, pulling me back to reality. A lump caught in my throat. My hand froze, inches from the tortilla chips. Instead, I busied myself, toying with the napkin in my lap. It kept my anxious fingers occupied.
I finally met Ariel's gaze with a deep breath to steady myself. "I withdrew," I revealed, my voice a mere whisper. "The plan is to go back after the new year."
"You withdrew?" Ariel echoed, her eyes widening with surprise. "And your dad?"
"Ah, that's... complicated," I confessed, my gaze dropping to the tablecloth. The idea of breaking this news to Dad, and facing his potential disappointment, was daunting. He had always been so protective, even more so after he heard about the alarming events at Rosedale. I couldn't bare the idea of lying to my father—again.
"I haven't told him yet," I admitted, my voice barely audible, as I looked back up at Ariel.
There was a moment of silence as Ariel held my gaze, her features softening. "Courtney, it's going to be okay," she said gently.
"I withdrew without a grade," I sighed, weary. "No penalty, midterms were weeks away." I tried to soften the blow of my news for my own ears as well as Ariel's.
"That should mean Dad gets a fair chunk of the tuition back when I tell him. I'm hoping... really hoping that might help him understand."
