Phantom opens the door and sticks his head out. “Everything okay?”
Rex growls at him. “Fuck no.”
I just smile, refusing to indulge this any longer. “Yep.”
Phantom shakes his head. “Damn. What do I need to know, Mountain?”
I’m not sticking around for this discussion. “You too figure it out. I’m going back in with Granny. She needs me.”
Phantom opens the door, and I slip inside under his arm, ducking before I walk to Granny’s bed and take a seat in the chair. The door clicks shut as Phantom moves into the hallway with Rex. I can hear the urgency in Rex’s voice even if the words aren’t discernible.
I know I should be grateful that he’s concerned, but it just makes me think about how he treated me three years ago, and I can’t believe any of it is sincere.
Granny reaches for my hand and holds it. “You’re hiding something.”
“I don’t want to worry you. It’s probably nothing.”
“Tell me, Cami, honey. Holding it in gives it power over you. Cut it loose so you can breathe.”
Such wisdom. My Granny Jo is a brilliant and discerning woman. Keeping secrets never works when she’s nearby. I swear she’s got a witchy sixth sense.
Maybe it’s the Salem bloodline that gives her that ability.
“I have an enthusiastic fan,” I admit. “He sends me red roses.”
She glances at the roses on her table. “Are these from him?”
“I don’t think so because the card is blank and he always leaves the same message, telling me that he’s my number one fan.”
Granny gestures to the flowers. “Throw them in the trash.”
“They probably aren’t from him. You sure?”
She nods. “Yeah. There’s a weird aura around these. I don’t like them.”
I pick up the vase and take it to the sink, pouring out the water before I toss the roses into the trash. It’s then that I see a crumpled, slightly wet piece of paper. It was hidden until now.
I pluck it from the trash and set the glass vase by the sink, slipping the paper into my pocket without Granny noticing. I’ll read it later when no one else is around. I don’t have time to second-guess my choice because the door opens and the doctor comes in. Rex and Phantom linger in the hallway, listening as the doctor tells Granny that she’s healing well and that she can go home.
Good.Once she's settled, I can take a ride to the bakery and see the damage. Rebuilding is a priority. The Butter Bliss is our lifeline. It provides for Granny, and I won’t let the fire destroy what our family has invested in all these years. It’s a part of us and our history.
I’ll contact the insurance company tomorrow and start the claim.
I make a mistake when I look in the direction of the bikers. Rex snatches my gaze and holds it as I lift my chin. I can handle him, the bakery, and my crazed fan. After all, I’m a Parker, and we always persevere.
“YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?” Rex asks, his left eye twitching like I’m being unreasonable.
“I wasn’t talking to youorasking permission,” I snarl. Turning back to Phantom, I give him my best, maybe slightly flirty smile. “Will you take me?”
Rex steps in front of his biker buddy, cutting through the air with his hand. “If you’re going to the bakery, I’m taking you.”
“Phantom?” I ask, ignoring Rex.
Phantom starts laughing, and Rex shoots him a glare over his shoulder. “Man, I didn’t sign up for this. I’m gonna visit with Granny Jo.” He walks away, leaving Rex and me in a standoff.
“It’s not safe, Cami. It’s a fucking pile of ash and ruin. There’s nothing left.”
Ugh. I tilt my head back and sigh. My chin drops, and I know he can see the tears I’m suddenly fighting back. “I need to see it.”
