AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, alright. Tomorrow then,” I say because I’m certainly not going to let a good excuse to see Skye again go to waste.
five
Skye
Normally,I’dloungearoundon Sunday. Mindlessly watch a movie or show I’ve already seen a million times while doodling in my sketchbook. This morning, my mind is working overtime to hold onto the memory of Theron standing next to the sink in the kitchen. His shirt plastered to his muscled chest and abs. The sun on his tan skin catches every drop of water and sweat. It’s not until I see pieces of him have manifested on page after page of my sketchbook that I realize I need to get out. Get my mind on something else.
After tucking the sketchbook with the incriminating images of Theron under my mattress, I grab a fresh one, stuff it in my messenger bag, and head downstairs.
“Marta?” I call out standing in the middle of the dining room.
She doesn’t answer. Pretty sure she’s here. Her keys are on the counter.
It’s still pretty early. Thinking she might still be sleeping, I tiptoe down the hall to her bedroom. The door is cracked but I still knock and say gently so as not to startle her, “Marta?”
A deep groan—decidedly male—startles me. I step back but don’t leave. I’d rather not walk to town. All I need is to ask her if it’s still okay to borrow her car.
“Marta. There’s someone here,” I hear him grumble.
My heel shakes with nerves hearing the bed creak and the sheets rustle. A moment later, Marta pops her head out the door. “Hey, Skye. What’s up?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
“No. That’s my bad. I should have texted you a heads up.”
I shrug. “It’s your house.” And none of my business who she brings home.
“It’s your house now, too. You deserve to know if there’s someone here you haven’t met. Which, that’s Pete, by the way.” Marta tosses a thumb over her shoulder.
The guy in her bed is still on his stomach, buried under the covers but manages to lift his hand to acknowledge he heard her.
“Pete, this is my cousin, Skye. Please make sure you put some pants on before you leave the bedroom from now on.”
“Pete’s your boyfriend?” I ask.
“Something like that.” Marta blushes. “Anyway. Did you need something?” She asks sweetly changing the subject.
“Um. Yeah. I was just wondering if it was still okay if I borrow your car? I was going to go into town and look around. Get a lay of the land, you know?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks,” I say and turn to leave.
“Hey. Make sure to stop by Parker’s Place. She has the best coffee.”
“Okay. You want me to bring you anything back?”
“Oh, I’m going to like having you around.”
After Marta gives me her order, I grab the keys and drive the nearly five miles to Towering Pines.
It’s a cute little town. Not much going on, but enough you’d never have to leave if you didn’t want to. Main Street is lined with small businesses. Maggie’s Boutique and Main Street Cafe on one side. Boyd’s Bar and Dickie’s Grocery on the other. But no art supply store. Guess I’ll be ordering online. There are several more stores, though, I’d like to check out but first, I’ll take Marta’s advice and stop at Parker’s Place on the corner.
When I walk in, I blink, taken back by the overwhelming amount of pink. Various shades cover the walls, seat covers, and curtains. If someone had described this place to me, I would have thought it would look tacky but it’s surprisingly tasteful.
“Hi, welcome. What can I get for you?” A petite, pixie-like woman in a tulle skirt, asks as she comes through a door behind the counter holding a tray of cupcakes.
I hope Marta is right about the coffee but if she isn’t, one of those chocolate peanut butter cup cupcakes will more than make up for it.
