It’s such a quiet morning, no birds chirping or the squeals of kids playing to be found—just the sound of our feet pounding against the concrete. There’s some comfort in that. It would be hard for him to sneak up on us when we could hear it coming. On the other hand, there’s not much evidence that there’s many witnesses. Though Blake stands firm on that just because we don’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
People with money have eyes everywhere, she’d said as we were tying our sneakers. I really hope that’s true because being outside like this is a huge risk to both of us. I shudder to even think about what Aaron would do to her if he got the chance.
“Wanna walk for a bit?” I ask Blake when the screaming of my lungs becomes unbearable. I’m painfully out of practice.
She slows to a tolerable pace, not the slightest annoyed by having to accommodate me given what I can tell. “You okay?” I nod, resisting the urge to collapse and die here, but only barely. “See that car?”
Blake points to a white sedan parked on the street in front of a house a couple down from where we are. “That’s Amber. She’s the housekeeper for several people in this neighborhood. I’ve talked to her a couple of times when I’m out and about. She doesn’t miss a damn thing. Not a wayward fingerprint on the windows or the goings on around here. Won’t say a thing about it of course, she’s a professional after all. But not great at pretending to be surprised when it comes out that someone is having an affair in the neighborhood.”
I think I’m missing the point. My logic is diminished by the lack of oxygen. “Cool, I guess?”
She rolls her eyes fondly. “I’m following a route that goes past every house she works at. Between all the referrals she gets, she’s here five days a week. If we run at the same time every day, she’ll notice our routine. And because she’s the type to look out for people, I know she’ll tell me if someone starts following us or acting off.”
“Oh. You really have thought about this.”
My friend scoffs. “I don’t know why you’re surprised. You and Chase both need to have a little faith in me. I don’t fail when I put my mind to something. Ever.”
I shrug apologetically. “Noted. Lead the way, General.”
Chase lucked out with this girl. Not everyone would shift their entire life around to help a friend long-term, but she has repeatedly assured us that this is where she wants to be. I’m even starting to believe her.
The run is a long one, broken up with intermittent walking to save me the humiliation of having a heart attack before breakfast. “Lucy, I’m home,” Blakely sings, slamming the frontdoor behind us. I kick off my sneakers and tumble after her on numb legs.
We’re greeted by eerie silence, no sign of life to be found. Like a light switch, my body flips from thoroughly exhausted in a way that might fade into pleasant soreness to the type of panic reserved for being hunted for sport. Hyperawareness takes over my senses, forcing me to be aware of every possible threat that might lay in wait. The rhythmic whirring of the ceiling fan above the living room, the refrigerator dropping ice into the bin, cataloging where everything is in case it was moved.
My breaths become short and choppy as cold sweat breaks out along my spine. Every thought in my head is screamingwhere are they.
A gentle, but stinging slap to my cheek brings me careening back to the ground. “Easton. Listen to me, babe,” Blakely commands. “Everything is fine. Brady texted me. They went out together. Everyone is safe. You are safe.”
My body is sluggish, groggy like I just woke up. “What?”
She repeats it two more times until I am able to register what is being said. After leading me to a barstool to collapse on and practically forcing cold water down my throat, a phone gets set out on the counter.
“Hi, Chase,” Blake says when the line connects. “I’m here with Easton. We just wanted to hear your voice because we miss you.”
His warm, gravel voice is like a balm to my frayed nerves. “Believe me, I’d rather be with you guys right now too. How was the run?”
“More or less hell,” I say, motivated to just hear him talk some more.
Chase chuckles. “Probably should have warned you Blake lacks a soul and enjoys going until there’s a hole in hersneakers.” After a pause, he adds cautiously, “Is everything okay?”
My fingers tap on the marble nervously. “Got a little scared when you weren’t here, but I’m okay now.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should have put a little more effort into making sure you saw my text letting you know what we were doing.”
Calm washes over my body in a wave, finally allowing me to breathe normally again. “You gonna be home soon?”
Chase sighs heavily. “Not soon enough, but as soon as I can. Your brother has suckered me into another fucking project. We’re getting the supplies now.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as Blakely cackles in victory. “Yay! I’m getting a gazebo! I knew he’d convince you!”
I make a sympathetic sound, despite internally being a tiny bit thrilled that he and Brady will have something to do together again. “Poor thing. Well, don’t rush back on my account. See you in a bit?”
“Absolutely. Call me if something else comes up.”
“Okay. I love you.”
The last of the remaining tension drains from my shoulders as he easily says, “I love you too.” Blake quickly hangs up the phone andsqueals, an ear-splitting noise that could pass for a fire alarm.
