AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe I won’t give a statement,” I say with a chuckle. Liam’s laughter is endearing and unexpectedly calming. “Thank you for taking a chance on this mayhem I’m embracing.”
“Well, some like me compare certain types of mayhem to a summer’s day. I think Shakespeare might even agree.”
“I think Shakespeare meant ‘thee,’ not mayhem,” I argue.
“And I would agree with him on that too,” he says with a quick wink.
He has successfully distracted me. I can give him that. The news crew is still down the wharf and I’m still debating my action plan.
“Are you buzzing?” Liam asks.
My phone has been going off in my purse for the last couple of minutes, but I don’t want to be rude. “Yeah, it’s fine. Whoever it is can wait.” What if it’s the police? Hopefully it’s just Willa.
“You sure?” His expression morphs into concern. I don’t want him to think I’m avoiding calls either.
I take my phone out of my purse, finding that the buzzing sounds weren’t calls, but a string of texts from an unknown number. While I stumble my fingers across the keypad to unlock my phone, I try to release my held breath, assuring myself the police wouldn’t be sending me text messages. Only Willa, but she wouldn’t be coming up as an unknown contact.
The display finally opens in full view so I can focus on the messages.
Unknown Number: You committed a felony.
A felony? My pulse quickens and a flash of heat steals my breath. What is this?
Unknown Number: What were you thinking?
Unknown Number: Obviously, you weren’t.
Unknown Number: How could you walk out of the police station as if you’re innocent?
Unknown Number: Where is the child, Haley?
Unknown Number: This isn’t something you can run away from.
My vision focuses and blurs between each short message. The messages don’t stop. They keep coming, one after another as if preprogrammed. I stumble through the settings on the text, suddenly forgetting where to find the block-number option. Every button I click resets me back to the text screen where they continue popping up and scrolling upward. Sweat beads over my forehead and the sun feels like it’s gotten hotter over the last minute.
Unknown Number: I see you looking at the news reporter.
Unknown Number: Don’t do anything stupid.
I hold my finger down on the power button with force as if the harder I push the faster the phone will turn off, the phone doesn’t shut down and I don’t know why so I shove my phone back into my purse. “Everything okay?” Liam asks.
“No, but I should get going. I’m—I’m so sorry. This isn’t you, or it has nothing to do with you. I shouldn’t be out and about right now. Plus, it’s not a good idea for you to be seen with me. The last thing I want is for this mess to affect anyone else.” I can’t sit still after seeing those text messages. I’m not sure what to do but it seems like I’m being watched.
“I totally understand,” he says, taking my hand as I stand up. “I wish there was something I could do to help.”
“I know, and I appreciate that more than I can explain. I wish we were here under different circumstances and could have gone out tonight like we planned.”
“Yeah, it’s a bummer, but if I’ve learned anything in life…nothing will ever be perfect for any circumstance,” he says. “However, I can’t even begin to imagine what you must be feeling right now either. Just know, if you want to talk or text, I’m around.”
He seems like such a good guy. Of course, this would all happen like some crazy circus where I can’t have it all or even just one good thing at a time. I toss what’s left of my soggy cone into the trash and wipe my hands off on the napkin he handed me. “When I get out of this mess, I want a redo. Would that be okay with you?”
“I’ll be here,” he says. “Literally, right here because…I love ice cream, so yes, it would.” Liam wraps his arm around my neck and gives me a quick hug. “Take care of yourself. Be strong. I told you, you’re innocent and soon everyone else will see it too.”
He smells like coconut, beach salt, and spice and I know I will regret walking away.
Even if I stayed, I’d still receive the next message on my phone when I took it out of my purse.
Unknown Number: Newport is such a safe town, isn’t it? The police will find more evidence to prove you’re guilty. I promise you.
