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Did you hear Sadie Emerson is with Kit Hayes?
Again? Weren’t they a thing in college?
After college, I think. Before he married Laney Kilpatrick.
Are we sure it ended after that? Wink-wink.
Yes, Kit and Sadie had a “thing” before we got together. According to Kit, it was one night. According to Sadie, it was a whole lotta hot and heavy nights. Either way, being before we married, it’s none of my business. It’s also none of my business if they’re seeing each other now that we’re divorced.
“Sadie.” Jayla strides over. “What bullshit are you up to now?”
“Bullshit?” Sadie says. “I came to help Laney. Is that okay with you? Kit and I were supposed to have drinks tonight, and he texted to explain why he couldn’t make it. Laney has a harassment problem, so I brought a professional to investigate.”
She waves, and for the first time, I pull my gaze away enough to see who’s with her. When I do, I go still.
“What thefuck?” Jayla says.
“Uh…” Garrett Emerson’s brows rise. “Nice to see you, too, Jayla.”
“As I’m sure you all know, my brother is a cop,” Sadie says. “A detective now. He was promoted last month.”
“No, Sadie,” Kit says, his voice a near growl. “Tell me you did not bring—”
“Madison!” Sadie says, and we turn to see Madison lookingat us all, her expression wary confusion. “Oh my God, you havegrown.”
Garrett’s gaze travels over Madison, making my hackles rise.
“Been a while, kiddo,” he says. “What’s with the short hair and the baggy clothes? You decide you’re a boy now?”
“Garrett,” Sadie says.
“No,” Madison says, with exaggerated patience. “This is how I choose to dress today. Tomorrow, I might wear a skirt. The next day, I might wear work boots and flannel. It depends on what I feel like when I wake up, which is none of your business, dude whose name I barely remember.”
“Ignore him,” Sadie says. “He was just surprised. Your hair looksamazing,by the way.” She looks at her brother. “Doesn’t it suit her face?”
“Herface? Or his?” Garrett snarks.
Sadie looks stricken. “I’m so sorry, Madison. Ignore him, please. May I ask your pronouns?”
Kit slides over to block Garrett’s reaction, but Madison’s not looking Garrett’s way and misses his eye roll.
“Still she/her,” Madison says. “But thank you for asking.”
“It’s been forever since I’ve seen you,” Sadie says. “Let’s take these bags to the house and talk. You’re a high school junior, right?”
Madison glances uncertainly at me. An empathetic kid, she must feel the tension pulsing. I force a smile and wave for her to go along with Sadie.
When they’re out of earshot, I turn to Garrett. “Speak to her like that again, and you will be dealing withme.Understand?”
His eyes narrow. “I came to help you out, Laney. Don’t make me regret it.”
“Is that a dare?” Jayla says. “Please tell me it’s a dare, because I will happily make you regret it. There aresomany things I’d like to make you regret. Give me an excuse, please.”
When he opens his mouth, I cut him off by saying, “If you’re really here to help, then let me explain what’s going on.”
This is a nightmare. Oh, I don’t mean the ritual-staging shit. That I can deal with. It’s the company that makes me want to run, screaming, with Madison in tow.
Having Kit here was bad enough. Yes, before Sadie arrived, we’d managed to settle into something that felt like old times, and somehow that made it worse. The three people I love most, chattering and laughing, happy to be in each other’s company. It’s like a glimmer of a dream that will evaporate in the light of day, leaving your soul aching.
