“Close friend?”
I hesitate, the lie catching in my throat.“He helped me after the robbery last month.”
“Helped you how?”
“He stopped it.Protected me.I work at Sno-Globes.”
The officer nods, scribbling notes.“You are aware that Mr.Winter is currently under investigation for that robbery?”
My stomach drops.“What?”
“Any recent contact with him?”
“Not for weeks.”
“You’re sure?”
I stare at the floor.Paint still staining my boots.
“Yes,” I say, it’s the truth.Humbug hasn’t called once since he said his club put him on probation.
The cop studies me for a long moment, then sighs.“We’ll file a report.Vandalism, assault, harassment.You’ll need to sign a statement.You want a restraining order?”
“Yes,” I say quickly.“Please.She said she’s gonna kill me.”
He hands me a clipboard.My hands shake as I sign.
When it’s over, I step outside into the cold again.The sky’s clear, sun hitting the snow so bright it hurts to look at.I stand there for a long time, watching my breath fog in the air, wondering if Humbug already knows what happened.If Trina would brag first.
That night, the phone stayed silent.No calls.No messages.No voice on the other end checking on me.
I curl up on the couch, red paint still staining my nails, and stare at the blank TV screen.
The town’s still lit up for Christmas, still pretending everything sparkles.But I no longer hum.
Chapter 16
Carol
The next day, Evervale’s still wrapped in its Christmas best, garland on every lamppost, wreaths on every door, fake snow still being pumped out by the machine on Main like the world doesn’t notice winter had already come and gone.But I feel like I’ve been dropped out of the pretty postcard.
Sno-Globes is packed tonight.The tourists want cocktails and carols, the locals want whiskey and distraction.It’s all peppermint and lies.I’m good at those.Lies, I mean.They come easy now.
It’s not Christmas.Maybe I do live in the land of make believe.I’m halfway through shaking a candy-cane martini when the door slams hard enough to make the bells scream.
Blake.
In his long wool coat, snow in his hair, eyes like glass knives.Blake’s supposed to be out of town visiting family.That’s the only reason I agreed to work the shift.I told myself I needed the extra cash, but really, I needed the noise, not just something loud enough to drown the guilt and the wanting.After the Trina incident, I’m scared to be alone.
The whole bar seems to tilt.
“Carol,” he says, loud enough for everyone to hear.“You’ve been attacked, and you don’t even call?”
My throat closes.“Blake…” I don’t want the whole town to know I’m the whore at my apartment building.
He marches straight to the counter.“I just came from the sheriff’s office.Guess what else they told me?”
“Blake, not here…”
