“Hi guys! Come on in.”
The three of them stood in the foyer and looked around. Devon spoke up, since he was technically the only one who knew Alicia. “This is my brother, Caleb, and his wife, Lori. This is Alicia, Hailey’s teacher and Sergeant Hurley’s wife.”
They all murmured hello, and Devon breathed a sigh of relief as a little blond boy ran into the room and stole Alicia’s attention. The spotlight had begun to burn.
“Aw, I thought it was Grandma and Grandpa!” he wailed.
“Brandon, I told you ten more minutes. Why don’t you go make sure you have all your buddies packed in your bag?”
“I already did that!” He glowered up at Alicia.
“Then do it again.” She watched him stomp up the stairs and turned back to the threesome. “Sorry about that. My parents are delayed in coming to get him and he’s anxious.”
“It’s fine,” Lori replied. She peeled her coat off and draped it over her arm.
“Oh, coats,” Alicia said. “You can leave them in the closet.” She opened a door to reveal empty hangers waiting. “I have various party attire on the table here if you're interested.”
Caleb guffawed when Lori gave him a pair of plastic heart-shaped glasses. He modeled them for her, and Devon turned away at the following display of affection. Searching for the alcohol, he found it in the kitchen with John, who was pouring something for himself.
“Hello, Devon.”
“Hey, John.”
“It’s early yet, but we’re expecting more people. Can I get you a drink?” He held up a bottle of wine.
“Yes, but not wine.” Devon tucked his hands in his front pockets.
John tilted bottles as he looked at the labels. “Okay, um . . . scotch? Tequila? Beer?”
“Just a beer is fine.” He accepted the can John handed over.
John took a sip of his drink and leaned against the counter. “How are things?”
Devon shrugged. He didn’t actually want to talk to anybody, but he put on his friendly mask, anyway. “Fine, I guess. I’m glad Christmas is over.”
“I’m glad the shopping and spending money is over. Hailey’s getting better, yeah?”
Devon looked at the floor when he responded. “She’s great.”
“And you?”
How could he explain the clawing, the itching, the monster growing in his gut and demanding retribution? There were no words to describe the hate consuming him. The pale peach walls closed in around him until he had to get outside to breathe.
He walked out abruptly, shoving open the back door and leaving John standing there. He gulped in the air, bent over and ran the cold can over his forehead. He inhaled, letting the bitter wind scrape his throat and prick his lungs. Anything was better than the blood boiling through his veins.
A noise behind him caused him to spin, coming face to face with Chloe. It felt like forever since he’d seen her. He stared at her, wondering what evil reflected at her from his face.
“Devon,” she said in greeting. “I saw Lori and Caleb in the living room, but they didn’t know where you’d gone.”
“You found me,” he said in a voice gone hoarse.
“I like the chill in the air sometimes. It feels good after being closed in with so many people.”
Her gaze never wavered; it remained steady on his face as Devon sweated in the freezing temperatures. He quaked, his body’s reaction to the panic attack just ebbing, and took more deep breaths. “Why?” One of her brows quirked up, and he hurried to explain. “Why are you out here with me instead of enjoying the party?”
“I already told you why.”
He shook his head. “You made up a reason.” His voice vibrated along with his muscles. “I don’t believe you.”
